News from Sheffield Labour

Paul Blomfield signs Holocaust Memorial Day Book of Commitment

Paul Blomfield MP has signed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, to pledge his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day, and to honour those who died during the Holocaust.

Holocaust Memorial Day on Friday January 27th will be the 67th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration camp which is the site of the largest mass murder in history. Ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day, the Holocaust Educational Trust placed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons giving MPs the chance to sign and honour those who were persecuted and killed during the Holocaust.

In signing the Book of Commitment Paul Blomfield paid tribute to the extraordinary men and women who, having survived the Holocaust, now work to educate young people about what they endured, through the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Outreach programme.

Thousands of commemorative events will be arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. This year, people will be encouraged to take a stand against racism and prejudice today – and to speak out against hatred wherever they encounter it.

Paul Blomfield MP said: “I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau four years ago and it was a deeply moving experience. I was struck both by the scale of the horror that took place there, but also by the ordinariness of the surrounding villages and countryside. It shows how hatred can poison any community unless we stand up and challenge it.

“Holocaust Memorial Day not only marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau , but provides an important opportunity to remember the victims of the Holocaust, and subsequent genocides – whether in Rwanda, Kosovo or Darfur – and for us all to commit to ’speaking up and speaking out’ against any forms of prejudice that we encounter today.”

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