The memorial emerged in 2021 as a tribute to the deceased and a protest against the healthcare management of Alberto Fernández
The origin of the memorial dates back to August 2021, when family members and friends of those who died during the pandemic organized the so-called “March of the Stones.” The call invited people to place a stone for each loved one lost as a result of the virus.
The Presidency of the Nation restored the stones placed in Plaza de Mayo in tribute to the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic, after they were temporarily removed to prevent damage during the celebrations for the return of the Argentine National Team in the World Cup.
The operation was carried out jointly with personnel from the Government of the City of Buenos Aires. The stones were reinstalled in the same place where they were originally located, around the monument to Manuel Belgrano and in front of the Casa Rosada.
From the national government, it was explained that the removal had been ordered exclusively as a preventive measure due to the expected large gathering of people in the downtown area. The goal was to prevent the pieces from being damaged, displaced, or lost during the celebrations.
The decision had been announced prior to the possible celebrations and, according to the Presidency, was also communicated to the families of the victims. While the security operation was underway, the stones remained safeguarded inside the Casa Rosada.
Once the celebrations were over, the memorial was returned to Plaza de Mayo, as had been anticipated at the time of its transfer. The administration of Javier Milei emphasized that the measure was always intended to be temporary and that there was no intention to permanently remove the tribute.
In addition to remembering the victims, the mobilization expressed the discontent of numerous citizens with the health management of the then government of Alberto Fernández. Over time, the stones became a symbol of mourning for thousands of families and of the questioning of the official response to the pandemic.
In 2021, the Kirchnerist administration removed part of the stones placed in front of the Casa Rosada and relocated them inside the government headquarters. The decision generated backlash from several family members, who demanded the construction of a permanent monument in Plaza de Mayo.
The removal carried out in July 2026 responded to a different context and was linked to the operation deployed for the World Cup celebrations. Once the celebrations were over, the Government fulfilled its promise and reinstalled all the pieces in their original location.
In this way, the stones returned to their place in front of the Casa Rosada, where they remain as a tribute to the victims of COVID-19 and as a testament to one of the most painful periods in recent Argentine history.
