Clacton commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day with service

A ceremony was held in Clacton this morning to remember the victims of the Holocaust and the victims and survivors of other genocides around the world.

Holocaust Memorial Day's theme for 2024 is Fragility of Freedom; the annual day marks the date the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated in 1945.

Usually respected on 27 January, it was held a day early this year as it falls on the Jewish Sabbath.

The Clacton service took place at the Sunken Rose Garden, which has a memorial stone, and was led by Harvey Newman from the Colchester and District Jewish Community; who was joined by Tendring District Council (TDC) Chairman Gary Scott along with a number of members of the public.

Councillor Scott said: "This service is an important moment to commemorate the Holocaust, remember the experiences of its victims and those of subsequent genocides, and crucially to remember the lessons we must take from it.

"While we may come from any number of backgrounds and define ourselves in many ways, we are all united in humankind and I think that is an important thing to remember in the context of Fragility of Freedom."

Harvey Newman added: "This is such an important day, and it is important people remember what has happened.

"It is good to see such a large turnout of people who supported us at the service."

Holocaust Memorial Day was established by the Government in 2000, with the first activities held the following year.

It aims to promote awareness of how many millions of people and communities were persecuted under racial and social policy because they were different.

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