'STAND together' is the strong message behind this year's event for Holocaust Memorial Day, in memory of the millions of victims around the world.

The annual day remembers the six million murdered Jewish people and other victims of Nazi persecution before and during the Second World War. 

Further victims of genocide in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Darfur (Sudan) and Myanmar are also remembered.

Lives lost in these genocidal regimes will be marked at City Hall by Bradford Council from 10am, in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Bradford, councillor Doreen Lee.

The theme of this year’s event is ‘Stand Together’ which explores how genocidal regimes throughout history have deliberately fractured societies by marginalising certain groups, and how these tactics can be challenged by individuals standing together with their neighbours, and speaking out against oppression.

"The need to stand together with others in our communities in order to stop division and the spread of identity-based hostility in our society is as relevant today as it was in the past.” - Bradford Council leader, councillor Susan Hinchcliffe

In the years leading up to the Holocaust, Nazi policies and propaganda deliberately encouraged divisions within German society urging ‘Aryan’ Germans to keep themselves separate from their Jewish neighbours.

The Holocaust, Nazi Persecution of other groups and each subsequent genocide, was enabled by ordinary citizens not standing with their targeted neighbours.

Holocaust Memorial Day 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz – this is a significant milestone and is made particularly poignant by the dwindling number of survivors who are able to share their testimony.

It also marks the 25th anniversary of the Genocide in Bosnia.

The Master of Ceremonies will be Nigel Grizzard a member of the Bradford Jewish Community and Council Leader, Coun Susan Hinchcliffe will attend.

Also attending will be pupils from Feversham Academy and Ben Barlow, chair of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation’s academic advisory board. 

Bradford Council Leader, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe said: “We all share the feeling that by standing together we can achieve more.