"If someone thinks that peace and love are just a cliche that must have been left behind in the 60s, that’s a problem. Peace and love are eternal." - John Lennon
After his murder on 8 December 1980, John Lennon became a pacifist hero for many young Czechs. An image of Lennon was painted on a wall in a secluded square opposite the French Embassy along with political graffiti and Beatles lyrics.
The secret police wanted the wall to be whitewashed, however despite continual efforts, they never managed to keep it clean for long, and the Lennon Wall became a political focus for Prague youth (most Western pop music was banned by the communists, and some Czech musicians were even jailed for playing it). The wall is the property of the Knights of Malta, and they've allowed the Lennon images, and love and peace messages and graffiti.
Today it is an ever-evolving, almost living, piece of art with messages of peace and love continually morphing the images. We used the photo here, taken by a friend visiting the wall, as the background of our Stick up for Love Kindness Movement stickers that find their way into schools across the country and help kids understand the necessity and beauty of tolerance. Lennon was once asked what he considered to be the most important lyrics he wrote. He replied, "That's simple: 'All you need is love!'" We feel the same way, since our symbol means "I love you" and carries the message that "love is the center of everything." Peace can't happen without love.
For use by permission only.
