On 1st August, the first UK memorial to the Roma victims of the Holocaust and to the North East soldiers who helped in the liberation of Nazi concentration camps was unveiled at Newcastle Civic Centre. Organised by Roma Access Association and the Roma Holocaust Memorial Centre, the event included wreath laying by dignitaries, uniformed services, and community leaders, speeches of remembrance and reflection and artistic tributes and cultural performances.
The memorial was unveiled the day before European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day on August 2. The event was a powerful statement about this largely overlooked genocide against the Roma and Sinti, as well as a way of educating the current generations about hate speech, racism and extremism and how important it is to remember and continue to guard and act against hatred in our communities.
- Click here to see the Chronicle Live coverage of the event, with a film about the unveiling ceremony and speeches and contributions by those who attended
- Click here to see the BBC news item about the unveiling of the memorial, with quotes from Roma representatives and the Council Leader.