IN PICTURES and VIDEO: Holocaust victims remembered at service
"What often hurts the victims the most is not necessarily the cruelty of the oppressor, but the silence of the bystander."
These poignant words from a Holocaust survivor rung out at Highfields Memorial Garden in West Bromwich as Sandwell paid tribute to the victims of the worst genocide Europe has ever seen.
The annual service was held yesterday at 10.30am, with the national Holocaust Memorial Day itself taking place on Wednesday.
The theme of this year's service was 'don't stand by', which explains the words of survivor Elie Wiesel, read out by Dave Allport – the founder of race charity Rewind.
Mr Allport was one of two speakers yesterday alongside Tony Barnsley from Unison, with the service being led by Sandwell's mayor Barbara Price.
In his closing remarks, Mr Barnsley said: "It's important we say never again to this horror. Don't stand by, stand unified."
As well as the readings, the service featured a one-minute silence and the iconic Last Post and Reveille music.
All 50-or-so people in attendance read out a statement of commitment together.
Asked about the service afterwards, Councillor Price said: "It was a very moving ceremony and I think we need to keep this going every year.
"It's important to pay respect to the victims of the holocaust, all six million of them.
"I would like to thank the councillors and the public who turned out to this lovely service."
Sandwell Council leader Councillor Darren Cooper added: "Clearly it's very important that we recognise the atrocities that took place under Nazi Germany and also to remind people that some of these intolerances are creeping back into our society.
"There are political parties that are promoting division and intolerance and people need to be reminded about how dangerous it can be if these parties get to power.
"In Sandwell we recognise and pay tribute to the people who lost their lives for us in the great wars but also those who were brutally murdered during the genocide."
The Holocaust was a genocide in which approximately six million Jews were killed by Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime and its collaborators.
