Holocaust Memorial Day in the UK takes place next week and our friends at Lib Dem HQ have sent a message to local campaigners with some ideas for remembering the victims of multiple acts of mass killing in recent history. We strongly encourage all local campaigns to plan some kind of activity to commemorate and maintain the memory of these events throughout our communities.
LDHQ Message
Dear all,
As you will know, Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on 27th January 2015.
This is a commemoration day in the United Kingdom dedicated to the remembrance of those who suffered in the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2015 is “Keep the memory alive”. This announcement provides an outreach opportunity for you to write to places of worship and community centres in your constituency as well as attend a local event to show your support.
I am happy to take questions on this if people have any. Please see the suggested press release, letter and tweets below.
Many thanks,
Arfan
PRESS RELEASE
Liberal Democrats
Stronger Economy Fairer Society
Contact: Press Office – 020 7340 4949
Embargo: Immediate
[…Spokesperson…] marks Holocaust Memorial Day
Tuesday 27th January marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, the site of the largest mass murder in history.
Seventy candles will be lit across the UK to mark the occasion and this year’s theme is “Keep the memory alive”.
[…Spokesperson…] stated:
“On Holocaust Memorial Day we share the memory of the millions who have been murdered in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur in order to challenge hatred and persecution in the UK today.
“This message is particularly pertinent in light of the recent events in Paris, which saw millions of people taking to the streets in solidarity, in remembrance and in defence of values of freedom, openness and tolerance for those of all faiths or none.
“The commemoration provides an opportunity for everyone to learn lessons from the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and subsequent genocides and apply them to the present day to create a safer, better future.
“Holocaust Memorial Day is therefore an important focal point in the year, it is vital that we remember and reflect upon the horrors of the past, and honour those who survived.
“When all 70 candles are lit throughout the country, it will be a poignant moment of remembrance and a time for us all to ensure we keep the memory alive.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Earlier this month, Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg became the first party leader to announce that funding for the Holocaust Education Trust’s ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ project would be safeguarded for the next 5 years.
The ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ project means every school and college in the country has the opportunity to send two students aged 16 to 18 to see for themselves what they had only previously read about in books or seen on television. This unique educational programme includes a visit to Auschwitz and a seminar with Holocaust survivors.
Now in its 16th year, the project has taken more than 25,000 students and teachers to the Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. This new £9m funding until 2020 would provide for 14 projects and 3,000 students every year for five years, meaning a further 15,000 students are able to take part. The Trust’s current funding ceases at the end of 2015.
LETTER
Dear ……………,
Holocaust Memorial Day provides a time for everyone to learn lessons from the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and subsequent genocides and apply them to the present day to create a safer, better future.
This year’s overarching theme of “Keeping the memory alive” to commemorate the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution and subsequent genocides comes at a particularly important time.
Earlier this month, the Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg became the first party leader to announce he would ensure that any government including the Liberal Democrats would safeguard the funding for the “Lessons from Auschwitz” project and described the work as being ‘worth every penny’.
The ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ project means every school and college in the country has the opportunity to send two students aged 16 to 18 to see for themselves what they had only previously read about in books or seen on television.
This £9m funding until 2020 would provide for 14 projects and 3,000 students every year for five years, meaning a further 15,000 students are able to take part.
Remembering the Holocaust is not just a history lesson. It is one of the greatest antidotes we have to anti-Semitism and extremism of all kinds.
I am immensely proud that the Liberal Democrats have taken steps to ensure its memory is safeguarded for our youth through this fund.
Yours,
………………………….
SUGGESTED TWEETS:
Remembering all those who were killed for Holocaust Memorial Day today @HMD_UK
Commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day today. This year’s theme is “Keep the memory alive” @HMD_UK