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Wolverhampton service remembers genocide victims

Wolverhampton has come together to pay tribute and remember the victims of the Holocaust and other genocides.

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Martin Gomberg, of Inter-Faith, with the Mayor of Wolverhampton Phil Page and the Mayoress Elaine Hadley-Howell

A service was held to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, which is held on the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz.

WATCH: Wolverhampton pays tribute to Holocaust victims

Members of trade unions, pensioners’ organisations, civic leaders and members of the public were at the Cenotaph in St Peter’s Square.

The Mayor of Wolverhampton laid a wreath during the service, which was led by Inter-Faith Wolverhampton yesterday and organised by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. Wolverhampton MPs Pat McFadden, Eleanor Smith and Emma Reynolds also attended.

The experiences of people who lived through genocide were read out – including that of Renee Bornstein, who survived the Holocaust by hiding in barns, farms and convents. The Kiddish prayer was read out – in both English and Hebrew – by Martin Gomberg of Inter Faith Wolverhampton.

Me McFadden said: “We had spoken in a parliamentary debate on this issue on Thursday.

“The Holocaust Memorial Day is a really important reminder of where hatred can lead. I’m glad that the city commemorates this day and it should give us all cause for reflection on the most appalling war crime in history.”

The Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Phil Page, said: “I think it’s so important we have this service to remember all those people who have been affected.

“We’re gathered to remember the Jews who were murdered and those in other genocides.

Liberated

“We must also the millions of women and children and men who have been persecuted – many of who have been silent.

“Sunday marks the day the Auschwitz camp was liberated by the Soviet Army.

“It’s not just statistics. The millions murdered were people just like you and me going about their lives. Someone’s mother, father, sister, brother and daughter – or neighbour.

“The theme is ‘Torn From Home’. We heard the stories of people who have been torn from their homes.

“We must also remember the stories of people we will never read – the voices which have been lost to history.

“I shall pledge my support to the Holocaust Memorial Day to sign the commitment.”

Rev Rachel Parkinson, chair of the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury Methodist District, said: “I’m both humbled and ashamed and I want to do all I can to make a difference. What words can possibly to justice?

“How can this tragedy even be spoken of? Yet we need to speak of it and enter into the experience ourselves so we can stand with those affected.

“Let us have the courage to let this remembering break our hearts and then with broken hearts, let us do our part in building a safer, more peaceful society.”

It also marked the 25th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda, which began in April 1944, and the 40th anniversary of the end of the genocide in Cambodia in 1979.