Visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland
Dear Editor,
I’ve just returned from a trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland. During the Second World War it was the largest complex of concentration and extermination camps operated by Nazi Germany and it’s become, quite rightly, the global symbol of the Holocaust – the mass murder of over 6 million people, mostly Jews, between 1933 and 1945.
The emotion that can be felt at this place is harrowing. To think that more than 1 million people were executed here reminds us of the overwhelming duty that we all have to ensure that we learn from the past and that something as horrific as the Holocaust never happens again.
Hatred and discrimination have no place in modern society. All people should have the freedom, regardless of religion, sexual orientation, political views or background to the same basic protections under the law and opportunities in society.
Whilst the overwhelming majority of those killed by the Nazis were Jewish, other groups were also targeted such as disabled people, LGBT people, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Freemasons, Romani and Sinti people, socialists, liberals, black people and Afro-Germans.
This January marks the 82nd anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau by Allied forces during the Second World War. Every year on Holocaust Memorial Day, 27th January, we come together to remember all those that lost their lives and re-commit ourselves to working for a more inclusive and welcoming society.
In Peasedown St John I’ll be organising a special event to mark the anniversary. I’ll be keeping residents updated on this through my regular e-news updates. Anyone who’d like to subscribe can do so by emailing village_voice@outlook.com
Yours faithfully,
Karen
Cllr Karen Walker
Former Chairwoman, Bath & North East Somerset Council
Independent, Peasedown St John
