Event will remember those lost and look forward to challenge
hatred today
24 January 2012
West Cheshire residents are invited to join
councillors, council officers and a holocaust survivor to remember
those who have lost their lives through persecution and
genocide.
On Holocaust Memorial Day people across the country will
remember the millions who have been murdered in the Holocaust and
subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur, and
look to challenge hatred and persecution in the UK today.
The Council’s Our Place team has worked with the Holocaust
Memorial Day Trust, a charity which works to raise awareness of the
annual national day and co-ordinates events nationwide, to create a
day packed with activities.
Taking place on Monday, 30 January at 9.30am an exhibition will
be on show at Ellesmere Port’s Civic Hall, and at 10am a rock
laying ceremony will take place at the Holocaust Memorial Day
plaque in Civic Square.
Holocaust survivor Harry Bibring will also speak to all those
attending about his experiences as a child in Nazi-occupied
Austria.
Mayor of Ellesmere Port, Councillor Angela Claydon, who will
lead the rock laying ceremony, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is a
great opportunity to address a number of worldwide problems and I
pleased that we are both remembering and celebrating the lost lives
in this special way.
“We are extremely lucky to be joined by Holocaust survivor Harry
Bibring from the Holocaust Education Trust who will tell us what it
was really like in Nazi Germany.
“I would urge West Cheshire residents to come and join us on
this inspirational day and help us ‘stand up and speak out’ about
modern day persecution.”
Students from the University of Chester Church of England School
will then perform a dance to finish the day’s events.
Executive Member for Community and Environment, Councillor Lynn
Riley, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day provides an opportunity for
everyone to learn lessons from the Holocaust and subsequent
genocides and apply them to the present day to create a safer,
better future.
“Many innocent people have needlessly lost their lives over the
years and I hope this event will show that we are working together
to tackle hatred of all types in the present day.”