April 4, 2025
The MOMCC Locks Of Love initiative moved me to tears when I learned about its history. But no sooner had I discovered it, I read that the City had removed the locks.
You’re probably wondering, what is Locks of Love?
Locks Of Love
October 4, 2021 – NBC4 news, “Locks Of Love… A powerful and impactful message now sits on the bridge on Rich Street in Columbus. Locks symbolizing hope, showing pain, and hopefully some closure for the families who have lost their loved ones to gun violence.”
Malissa Thomas -St.Clair co-founder of Mothers Of Murdered Columbus Children is the creator of this effort, which began in October 2021 when the group took a healing trip to Cincinnati. Members were to bring engraved locks to include in this activity, which they would then place on Purple People Bridge in Cincinnati –but God had other plans.
When they arrived, the bridge was closed that day. So, everyone decided to bring the locks back to where they belong – in Columbus. Thomas-St. Clair calls them ‘Locks of Love,’ and said they serve to signify the permanent love for their children.
The first installment contained 10 locks on the bridge, which grew to 120 in three years.
One mother, Brenda Johnson, said adding this lock was like getting her power back. For months, she’s been grieving in silence.
October 3, 2021
Additional Locks of Love Installations
There have been six cohorts since the initial Locks of Love installation. MOMCC held these emotional ceremonies despite the weather, including heat, rain and frigid temperatures. Nothing stops a mother’s love.
During these installations, members of ‘Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children stood at the microphone and spoke the names of their murdered children and the date of their murder.
Second Cohort
Third Cohort (Night Series)
Fourth Cohort
Fifth Cohort
Sixth Cohort
A Heartbroken Removal
In March 2024, City crews unexpectedly remove locks honoring murdered children from a Columbus bridge
On March 30, 2024, co-founder Malissa Thomas-St. Clair took to Facebook to express how heartbroken she was over the removal of MOMCC Locks of Love, without notice, from the Rich Street Bridge. Malissa reiterated, “There was a conversation with City Officials before beginning this initiative. We were given the blessing to host our initiative.”
“The city was VERY AWARE OF WHAT THOSE LOCKS WERE AND THEIR MEANING.”
She quickly contacted the City officials after they removed the locks with the hopes of a permanent solution for this incredible initiative.
Malissa’s dedication and determination paid off and one year later, she made an incredible announcement:
MOMCC Legacy Monument
April 4, 2025 – As taken from her Mothers Of Murdered Columbus Children Facebook announcement:
Early Stages: Movement Towards an MOMCC Legacy Monument To Showcase Our Locks of Love.
Meeting with City of Columbus Officials:
Together we are brainstorming the opportunity to create a LEGACY MONUMENT that will support Honoring our Lost loved ones to Violence in the city of Columbus, Ohio. The monument will serve as a reminder of what Violence does to generations before and after Violence. It will serve as an opportunity to prevent loved ones from engaging in Violence. It will serve as an opportunity to intervene in acts of violence within our city and beyond.
Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children are absolutely humbled and honored by the collaborative actions between the City of Columbus – City Hall , Columbus Division of Police Greater Columbus Arts Council, and the communities at large to serve as a beacon of hope and light toward safer communities.
I’m so happy that they will restore the ‘Locks of Love’ for every mother who came before me, and I look forward to the next installation. This time, they will include John’s name in the MOMCC Legacy Monument, which will stand forever.
Another step to ensuring that his death will not be in vain.
Please note: All pictures in this post were taken from ‘Mothers Of Murdered Columbus Children’ public Facebook page and NBC4 website.
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