On Monday, 27 January 2025, Horsham District Council commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day. Flags were lowered to half-mast, and the Capitol Theatre was illuminated in purple to honour the victims of the Holocaust.
At 8pm, the Chairman of the Council, Cllr Nigel Emery, in partnership with Horsham Branch of The Royal British Legion, lit lanterns at the Carfax War Memorial. A minute’s silence was observed in remembrance of the victims of the Holocaust.
Between 1941 and 1945 6 million Jews, as well as Roma, Sinti and Slavic people; disabled, gay and Black people; political opponents, (primarily communists, trade unionists and Social Democrats), and those whose religious beliefs conflicted with Nazi Ideology, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, were systematically murdered by the Nazi regime. We also remember those who were killed in more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Darfur and Yazidi.
Horsham District Council Chairman, Cllr Nigel Emery commented:
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp. In a world scarred by prejudice and systemic, targeted persecutions we are reminded of our duty to stand against prejudice, injustice, and tyranny.
Each year, Holocaust Memorial Day encourages thousands of people across the world to learn more about the past and reflect on how we can build a better future. For more information, please visit the Holocaust Memorial Day Website.