Pupils help to mark Holocaust Memorial Day
Local pupils helped to remember those who were involved in all aspects of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides as part of an event to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
Pupils from Lochnorris Primary, Park School, and St Joseph’s, Kilmarnock, Stewarton and Grange Academies lit candles and held a minute’s silence at East Ayrshire Council HQ in memory of all those who lost their lives during the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and in genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Darfur and Bosnia.
The theme for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day was 'Fragility of Freedom' and pupils and other guests reflected on how we should never take our freedoms for granted, and what we can do to strengthen freedoms around the world.
Councillor Neal Ingram, Cabinet Member for Human Resources, Equalities and Inclusion, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day presents an opportunity for people from all backgrounds to come together to learn from the past and to create a better future. It serves as a reminder that all of us have a responsibility to recognise when groups are being marginalised and to stand against it when it happens.
“My thanks go to all of the pupils who delivered some really powerful presentations. Learning about the real experiences of the survivors of the holocaust and genocide brings it home how precious and fragile freedom is. We must always be vigilant to ensure essential freedoms are protected and that we have the courage to challenge persecution whenever it occurs.”