Norwalk community mourns COVID-19 victims during Awareness Day march

An estimated 100 people walked down Norwalk Boulevard to remember the victims of COVID-19 on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. Norwalk declared Aug. 7 as COVID-19 Awareness Day in the city. (Photo by Vincent Medina)

NORWALK — Family and friends of COVID-19 victims marched in silence to Norwalk city hall Saturday to establish a memorial and raise awareness for the virus.

The march was organized by Norwalk resident Marlene Bojorquez, who created a Yellow Heart Memorial on her lawn after losing her father during the pandemic. 

Yellow Heart Memorials were established in cities across the county to remember the victims of COVID-19.  The organization also coordinated 30 other marches across 20 states on Aug. 7. 

Norwalk city council declared Aug. 7 as COVID-19 Awareness Day in the city, during their recent meeting. The virus has claimed 377 lives in Norwalk. 

“When my dad died, I wanted to do something to make sure people were aware that COVID is real and that we are losing loved ones,” said Bojorquez. “As part of the Yellow Heart Memorial, I thought I could organize a walk here for my dad and for the loved ones in the area.”

Arturo Rivas, 13, also took part in the march after losing his father to the virus on Feb. 1. 

“I wasn’t thinking he would pass away. I was ready for him to come back home. I thought he would come back safely and we would all be fine,” said Rivas. “I didn’t get to say goodbye. We got a call at 3 am, and they said they couldn’t save them.” 

An estimated 100 people walked down Norwalk Boulevard to city hall, where family and friends tied yellow ribbons with the victim’s name around a small fence. 

When one-year-old Victoria Rodriguez saw her great-grandmother’s photo next to her ribbon on the memorial, she went to kiss the picture of her great-grandmother.  

Anabel Huerta, 25, lost both of her parents to COVID-19, and was also unable to say goodbye to her family. Her cousin, Nancy Pulido, lost her father as well.  

The cousins shared their anger over California's reopening and lifting of mask mandates.

“We’re back in another wave because the mask mandates came off. That was so dumb,” said Pulido. 

Bojorquez agreed that California lifted the mask mandate too soon, as the highly contagious delta variant claims more lives across the state. 

While many agreed that mask mandates were lifted too soon, there was disagreement among the demonstrators about mandating the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Companies such as Disney and Google require their employees to get the COVID vaccine. President Biden announced that all federal workers must get vaccinated as well. 

“I agree with the vaccine mandates,” said Pulido. “In order for us to be on the same page, we all need to do our part. Getting vaccinated is our part.”

“Getting vaccinated is up to you,” said Bojorquez’s mother, Margie Briones. “Everyone has their own beliefs. It’s been forced on people, that’s not our country.” 

Norwalk city council has expressed the idea of creating a permanent COVID-19 memorial in the city. 

Mayor Jennifer Perez, who took part in the march, feels a permanent memorial would be welcomed by the city. 

Bojorquez hopes to organize or take part in future COVID-19 awareness demonstrations, as she continues to add names to her Yellow Heart Memorial on her front lawn at 12922 McLaren St.