Join Governor Katie Hobbs, Arizona Historical Society and Marked By COVID For the 3rd Annual COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day Event Featuring an Exclusive Screening of the new Documentary 2020 CHAOS and HOPE

Monday, March 6th, 2023, 3:00 – 7:00 PM at Arizona Heritage Center at

Papago Park (1300 North College Avenue Tempe, AZ 85288)

See the Powerful Documentary, Meet the Survivors, Hear Their Stories of Resiliency and Hope, and Learn About the Proposed National COVID Memorial Day

On what is proposed as the National COVID Memorial Day, (first Monday of March) on Monday, March 6, 2023, state dignitaries, Arizonans and those impacted by COVID-19 will gather for a powerful and emotional afternoon to reflect on the dramatic and tragic events that unfolded in 2020 during the pandemic. This special day, which has been themed as a Day of Resiliency and Hope will be held at the Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park from 3:00 to 7:00 PM.

Those in attendance for this special day of reflection include Governor Katie Hobbs, Kristin Urquiza – Co-Founder of Marked by COVID, other state dignitaries, members of the Arizona Historical Society and others impacted by COVID-19.

“For the last 3 years, Arizonans have grieved alone and in isolation for the loss of loved ones from COVID-19. On what will be the third anniversary of COVID-19 Memorial Day, the Arizona Historical Society is honored to welcome friends, family, medical experts, community partners, and leaders for an afternoon of mutual commemoration and reflections,” said David Breeckner, Executive Director of the Arizona Historical Society.

The events will include an exclusive screening of 2020 CHAOS AND HOPE – a dramatic and emotional new documentary from Oscar® and Emmy®-winning Filmmaker June Beallor, presented by ABRAMORAMA and ACE91, and produced by Ceci Chan and June Beallor.

A time capsule of a year unlike any other, 2020 CHAOS AND HOPE takes viewers through the dramatic events that unfolded in 2020, bringing us face-to-face with the riveting moments of the year. COVID-19, racial strife, political unrest, truth under fire, and increased economic disparity all gathered into the perfect storm, creating a year unlike any other. The film, which will soon be available on streaming services, brings together a diverse group of individuals and features new key interviews with world-renowned experts, along with frontline workers, everyday citizens, educators and activists (including Kristin Urquiza, co-founder of Marked By COVID sharing her extraordinary story), as they reflect on the year 2020. See more here 2020ChaosandHopeFilm.com.

Immediately following the screening, there will be a brief panel featuring Valley native Kristin Urquiza of Marked By COVID, Todd Bailey from the Arizona Historical Society, Sarah F. Senk, PhD of Marked By COVID Board of Directors, and Michael L. Zirulnik, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President for Phoenix Development.

“We need to do more than what we are doing right now. I think we need to bring radical imagination in order to ensure that the people who have been most impacted, the people who have literally been forced to sacrifice their lives as a result of COVID-19 see some sort of justice and justice is served to them and their families,” said Kristin Urquiza.

In 2021, Congressman Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced a resolution to memorialize those lost to the COVID-19 virus and recognize the suffering of COVID-19 survivors. The resolution would designate the first Monday in March as “COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day.” Marked By COVID is expected to announce a re-introduction of the resolution in both the House and Senate with bi-partisan support on Monday, March 6th.

As part of the afternoon events, attendees will also have the opportunity to share their personal stories and view and reflect on various art displays, including the COVID Memorial Quilt, ASU’s COVID Memorial, the Singing Tree Project, the Floral Heart Project, and an interactive healing workshop with the Requiem Project 4. There will also be live music from local musicians (Harp/Sound Bowls), and light bites from Humble Pie.

A special closing healing ceremony will be performed by Darren Thompson who is an Ojibew and Tohono O’odham flute player and journalist from the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Indian Reservation in northern Wisconsin.

For media inquiries or to RSVP for the event on March 6th:

Please contact Jennifer Parks-Sturgeon at JParks-Sturgeon@RoseAllynPR.com or by phone at (480) 495-3806 or Marianna Touloumes at (602) 816-0512 or mtoulousmes@azhs.gov.

For Marked by Covid interview requests:

Please email Christine Keeves at Christine@MarkedByCovid.com or call (617) 410-6599.