Little Alfie Evans’ tragic battle came to an end Saturday, as his heartbroken parents shared with the world that their 23-month-old boy had passed away.
‘Absolutely Heartbroken’: Alfie Evans Has Died After Surviving Almost a Week Without Life Support
As tributes pour in from around the world, hundreds of people from Alfie’s native Liverpool gathered to honor the child in a beautiful display outside of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
Beautiful scenes as balloons take over sky in tribute to "warrior" Alfie Evanshttps://t.co/kkBD0OqXVj pic.twitter.com/1nJdrjVjRR
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) April 28, 2018
According to the Liverpool Echo, members of Alfie’s Army (as the critically ill child’s supporters have come to be known) released hundreds of blue and purple balloons into the sky Saturday afternoon as a young girl gave an emotional rendition of Christina Perri’s song “A Thousand Years.”
“We love you, Alfie!” the girl proclaimed before issuing a count-down for everyone to let their balloons go.
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Amid what has become a highly scrutinized case concerning parental rights and government control, a few wonderful things have come about.
Last week, MEP Steven Woolfe announced his campaign to introduce a new law that will ensure parents are assigned fair and equal legal representation in comparison to the courts and hospitals. “Alfie’s Law” has gained the backing of the parents of the late Charlie Gard, who died last summer after British doctors withdrew life support against his parents’ wishes.
“Alfie’s case is not isolated. It follows a pattern where the NHS and the Court, both arms of the state, proceed as a juggernaut to crush dissent and to refuse be open their minds let alone their hearts to new evidence,” MEP Woolfe wrote in a post on Facebook. “It is regularly happening across the UK.”
“All parents should be allowed an independent advocate to defend their case with the right legal and medical expertise and financial equality of arms,” added Woolfe. “Now is the time to act. We cannot have another baby, another family, have to go through the struggle and torment the Evans family have. It’s time for Alfie’s Law.”
Woolfe, who is a former barrister, delved deeper into his proposal for a law named after little Alfie. “Alfie’s Law” would require the parents defending their child’s life before the state to be granted “equality of arms, namely a fully-funded legal team with access to medical and legal expertise, as the NHS now enjoys without any scrutiny.”
As the world continues to mourn the loss of Charlie Gard and Alfie Evans, many are praying that those involved in the Alfie Evans case will recognize their error and make every effort to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again.