Yoko Ono, U2’s Bono and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito marked the city’s inaugural “John Lennon Day” on Ellis Island Wednesday, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the day the Beatle got his green card.
“They let him stay, and he is still here. Yoko, he is still here,” said Bono.
Ono said that her “heart was crying” remembering her late husband, who battled to get his permanent residency and stay in New York after the U.S. government ordered him deported back to Britain over a pot possession plea.
“I remember how proud and happy he was” to be able to stay in the U.S., she said. “I’m sure John would have felt great to have a New York day.”
Ono recalled Lennon’s fight against violence and hatred. She said he was a feminist before his time, taking their son Sean to Central Park every Sunday, and that now she thinks of him when she sees dads pushing strollers in the city.
“I just wish John was with us,” she said. “Please be kind, be peaceful, and be loving.”
The event, organized by Amnesty International, also celebrated Ono’s gift of the rights to record cover versions of Lennon’s post-Beatles songs to the human rights group, which has raised more than $5 million in royalties.
A tapestry showing Manhattan as a giant yellow submarine with Lennon at the helm — commissioned by Amnesty as a thank you to Ono — was donated to The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation for display at the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration and unveiled Wednesday.
Mark-Viverito flashed a peace sign along with Bono, Ono and U2’s The Edge in front of the tapestry after declaring July 29 “John Lennon Day” in New York City.
“I’ve been very touched today,” she said.
