’Loved Ones Not Numbers:’ Memorial installed to honor Georgia COVID-19 victims

ATLANTA — A moving memorial has been installed in downtown Atlanta to honor Georgians who lost their lives to the coronavirus.

A wall of broken hearts represents the more than 5,300 victims who have died from the virus across the state since March.

On Thursday, volunteers gathered outside The Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta to attach thousands of paper hearts to a fence surrounding the property. When they finished, they marched with Georgia Coalition to Save Lives to the state capitol and held a candlelight vigil.

The installation was dubbed “Loved Ones Not Numbers.” Family members of each of the victims were invited to come claim one of the hearts and write a message to their loved one.

“We couldn’t think of a better symbol of what these families have gone through… A simple depiction of this broken heart.” Jana Johnson-Davis of Loved One, Not Numbers said. “We are not able to gather like the way we typically would when there’s a loss of life, so this is also an opportunity for Georgian’s to continue to lift their loved ones’ name.”

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Georgia’s Coalition to Save Lives is a group of attorneys, democratic lawmakers, and faith leaders who spoke out against Governor Kemp’s decision to reopen the state. They are pushing for the Governor to make statewide mask mandates as well. They created “Loved Ones Not Numbers” as a living memorial to celebrate the loss of lives while pushing for change.

“Tonight, is about the names, the faces, the love we have for community. ’Loved Ones Not Numbers’ is about the beginning of healing. But governor Kemp, make no mistake, this is caused by irresponsible behavior and lack of decisions that have cost people their lives,” state representative Kim Schofield said.

The coalition said they realized something should be done to honor and remember the lives of the people who fell victim to COVID-19.

“We can’t wish COVID-19 away, we can’t hope COVID-19 away we can’t just encourage masks and think we’re going to curb COVID-19 in the state of Georgia, " Schofield said.

Memorial to Georgia COVID-19 victims to be unveiled

Cox Media Group