Tapestry honours John Lennon; depicts Manhattan as yellow submarine with him

The tapestry is a thank you for granting Amnesty worldwide the rights to record cover versions of some of Lennon’s post-Beatles songs in 2004.

While giving a speech, Bono noted that Lennon in the tapestry was shown giving the same peace sign that he famously flashed in front of the Statue of Liberty after succeeding in his immigration case.

The 82-year-old artist, the widow of the Beatles legend, unveiled the tapestry that depicts a yellow submarine – inspired by The Fab Four song and film of the same name – and it will remain on display in Ellis Island to recognise John’s fight to get a Green Card to work and live in America. Through the royalties from the songs the organization raised $5 million.

He went on to describe Lennon as “one more Irish immigrant on an island full of Irish immigrants”, and added: “Let’s claim him, in fact let’s claim all the Beatles not as immigrants but as Irish”.

The tapestry unveiling marks the 40th anniversary of Lennon getting his green card.

“He didn’t sail across the Atlantic in an ocean liner or a yellow submarine”.

“In the mid ’70s, John told people that New York taxi drivers asked him two questions most frequently”, Bono said.

“That’s why it is fitting to do this here, because John Lennon was an immigrant”, he said.

At the event, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito declared July 29 as John Lennon Day.

The U2 frontman said he was only a teenager while Lennon was fighting to stay in the United States despite political opposition from President Richard Nixon.

Ono, a peace and human rights activist, said she will continue communicating with the public through art and music.

The avant-garde singer also is working on a new album, “Yes, I am a Witch Too”, as a sequel to her 2007 cover and remix LP.

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