Recalling the horror (From Stroud News and Journal)

Recalling the horror

THE horror of the death camps of the Second World War was remembered this week by Stroud's Jewish community and others keen to stop the world forgetting the evil atrocities that took place under the hated Nazi regime.

On Thursday, the 60th anniversary of the Russian liberation of Auschwitz, people gathered at the war memorial in Park Gardens to commemorate the event.

Jewish town councillor David Michael told the SNJ: "It went really well, there were about 50 people there compared with around ten last year.

"I think it will become an annual event in Stroud." He said it was vital to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive to protect ourselves from history repeating itself.

"It says so much about human beings. The Germans efficiently killed so many Jews, gypsies, gay people and disabled people, as well as many others," he said. "When I think about it all sorts of things well up inside.

"It's much easier to sympathise with the victims but I also find myself wondering how people could behave like the Germans did.

"It's important that we continue to challenge prejudice and racism of any kind, no matter how small.

"We've got to protect each other and protect every liberty we've got. "If we stop remembering these atrocities it will make it easier for history to repeat itself. We have to say never again."

Another 50 people gathered at St Alban's to watch a film, Lest We Forget, about Auschwitz and pay their respects to the victims with a brief period of silence. Rev Michael Withey, vicar of St Alban's said: "It was very well attended. This is obviously something people feel very strongly about."