Alfie's Army rallies behind his family and releases balloons in his honor

By Amanda Jackson, CNN

Updated 1924 GMT (0324 HKT) April 28, 2018

Balloons were released into the air to pay tribute to the terminally ill toddler.
Balloons were released into the air to pay tribute to the terminally ill toddler.

(CNN)Purple and blue balloons scattered across the cloudy sky of Liverpool on Saturday as people chanted "Alfie, Alfie, AlfIe."

Just hours after terminally ill British toddler Alfie Evans died overnight, his supporters gathered in Springfield Park adjacent to the hospital where he had been since December 2016.
People prepare to release balloons in memory of Alfie Evans.
People prepare to release balloons in memory of Alfie Evans.
The group, dubbed Alfie's Army on social media, united behind the family's high-profile legal battle over whether life support should be continued for the 23-month-old.
    A woman holds balloons with photos of Alfie Evans on Saturday.
    A woman holds balloons with photos of Alfie Evans on Saturday.
    They united in the