This year’s theme for Holocaust Memorial Day was Stand up to Hatred- a theme that reminds each and every one of us of the continuing need to speak out and stand up.

HMD is an important time to reflect on and commemorate the lives lost in the Holocaust. The day itself marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. However HMD also calls on us all to be vigilant against forms of racism, anti-Semitism and discrimination and the need to act now against the ongoing genocides.

Travelling to the Holocaust Memorial Day event I attended in Reading I was appalled to see signs of anti-Semitism at a local bus stop- just one sign of the well documented increased anti-Semitic attacks that have been taking place across our cities and our campuses in recent weeks. Regardless of the views within our movement on the Middle East conflict and the wider criticisms in the news of Israel’s actions in the recent conflict, anti-Semitic attacks on the Jewish community need to be challenged by all. Intimidation whether at our extraordinary conference or on your local campus should not and will not be tolerated.

Attending the event in Reading, and listening to the remarkable story of Cirla Lewis, a child survivor, allowed me to reflect on the importance of the work of the Holocaust Memorial Trust and the ongoing need our children, and our children’s children to learn about the systematic and state sponsored execution of six million Jews.

But standing up to hatred doesn’t just refer to those experiences within our past. The atrocities in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and today in Darfur demonstrate the international community has still not truly understood the lessons of the Holocaust. 500 events held and over 31,000 virtual candles were lit for HMD in the UK, but more still needs to be done. Do something today and watch this video below detailing the genocide in Darfur.

Susan

Watch this video by Aegis trust about Darfur

More information about HMD

More info on NUS and student union involvement in HMD

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