Banksy’s ‘Balloon Girl’ inspires the world to stand #WithSyria

MANILA, Philippines – English street artist Banksy is at it again.

Five months after his New York takeover, his work is all over social media again, this time for the #WithSyria movement.

The campaign hopes to bring attention to the third anniversary of the worst humanitarian crisis in decades on March 15, Saturday. (READ: Thousands trapped in Syria’s Yarmuk camp ‘slowly dying’)

People around the world pose as the iconic “Girl with the Red Balloon” to “call on political leaders to sign up to a pledge to do everything they can to make this the last anniversary marked by bloodshed.”

Part of the global vigil includes lighting up of iconic buildings, messages of solidarity from high profile individuals, and a campaign video taking inspiration from Banksy’s image of hope.

On March 5, Save the Children UK released “Most Shocking Second a Day Video,“ which transposes the effects of the Syrian civil war onto an ordinary girl growing up in London. The clip invites viewers to imagine “if Britain were Syria.”

The 94-second clip has since gone viral with over 25 million views. – Jessica Lazaro/Rappler.com