Wolverhampton will remember the victims of Nazi persecution, the Holocaust and other genocides around the world when the city marks Holocaust Memorial Day later this month. The Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Ian Brookfield will lay a wreath during a service at the Cenotaph in St Peter's Square on Wednesday 27 January, 2016 – the 71st anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Councillor Brookfield said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is our chance to remember the millions of people who were murdered or whose lives were changed beyond recognition as a result of the Holocaust, persecution or genocide.
“The theme for this year’s event is Don't Stand By – in recognition of the fact that the Holocaust was only able to take place because local populations allowed insidious persecution to take root.
"While some actively supported or facilitated state policies of persecution, the vast majority stood by silently – at best, they were afraid to speak out while at worst they were indifferent.
"It is hugely important that we do not forget what happened, and that we educate future generations about the Holocaust because everyone has a responsibility to fight the evils of discrimination, racism and xenophobia."
The service in St Peter's Square, led by Inter-Faith Wolverhampton, starts at 10.50am and will be attended by ex-servicemen and women, representatives from various faith communities, Trades Unions and pensioners’ organisations, Civic leaders and members of the public.
For further information on Holocaust Memorial Day, please visit www.hmd.org.uk.