"Holocaust Memorial Day will give an opportunity for our towns to reflect" say Medway Liberal Democrats

Wednesday 27 January 2021 marks the 76th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp, every year on that day Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) takes place, a day that will give an opportunity for people from our towns and across the country to reflect on the tragic events of the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

Dr Alan Bullion, spokesperson for Medway Liberal Democrats said, "Reading the recollections of a relative whose family fled Germany in the 1930s with the rise of Hitler, we should be alert to the signs and symptoms of discrimination and prejudice in the modern world. Fortunately he was able to reach Britain and served as an interpreter in the war years. But we need to continue to remember all those who perished in Nazi Germany and other ethnic and religious genocides across the world."

The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2021 is 'Be the light in the darkness'. It encourages everyone to reflect on the depths humanity can sink to, but also the ways individuals and communities resisted that darkness to 'be the light' before, during and after genocide.

Be the light in the darkness is an affirmation and a call to action for everyone marking HMD. This theme asks us to consider different kinds of 'darkness', for example, identity-based persecution, misinformation, denial of justice; and different ways of 'being the light', for example, resistance, acts of solidarity, rescue and illuminating mistruths.

Increasing levels of denial, division and misinformation in today's world mean we must remain vigilant against hatred and identity-based hostility. Rapid technological developments, a turbulent political climate, and world events beyond our control can leave us feeling helpless and insignificant. The utterly unprecedented times through which we are living currently are showing the very best of which humanity is capable but also - in some of the abuse and conspiracy theories being spread on social media - the much darker side of our world as well.

Liberal Democrats are committed in tackling the appalling rise in hate crimes in all its forms and will continue to fight against prejudice and discrimination, to ensure equality and protection for people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

ENDS

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Find out more from the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust