Yoko Ono, the widow of slain Beatles legend John Lennon, issued a call for peace and healing, ahead of Lennon's death anniversary.
WASHINGTON: Yoko Ono, the widow of slain Beatles legend John Lennon, issued a call on Sunday for peace and healing, ahead of the anniversary next week of her husband's murder.
"December 8th is near again. Every year on this day, I hear from people all over the world who remember my husband John Lennon and his message of peace," Ono wrote in a full page ad that appeared in Sunday's New York Times.
"They write to tell me they are thinking of John on this day and how he was shot and killed at the prime of his life, at age 40, when he had so much ahead of him," Ono wrote.
She acknowledged the suffering of others who have also lost loved ones by violence, as well as those who have suffered abused or torture.
"To the people who have lost loved ones without cause: Forgive us for having been unable to stop the tragedy. We pray for the wounds to heal," Ono said.
"To the soldiers of all countries and all centuries, who were maimed for life or who lost their lives: forgive us our misjudgments and what happened as a result of them," she wrote.
Ono's appeal continued: "To the people who have been abused and tortured: forgive us for having allowed it to happen."
"As the widow of one who was killed by an act of violence, I don't know if I am ready yet to forgive the one who pulled the trigger. I am sure all victims of violent crimes feel as I do. But healing is what is needed now. Let's heal the wounds together."
John Lennon was shot dead on December 8, 1980 outside his New York City apartment building. Ono was with the legendary musician at the time of the attack.
The shooter, Mark David Chapman, remains in prison for Lennon's murder.
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