3. On 27th January 1945 Auschwitz-
Birkenau was liberated.
This week we will reflect and remember those
who suffered and died in the Nazi death
camps during World War 2, and also those
who have died as a result of persecution in
other countries since the end of World War 2.
The theme for this week is ‘speak up, speak
out’. When terrible things happen we must
speak up otherwise it will not stop.
4. Speak up, Speak out (1 cont)
On arrival at Auschwitz-Birkenau the
prisoners would see a station and
the train tracks leading into the
camp. This was no ordinary station;
there was nothing ordinary about
this camp. This was a death camp
and over one and a half million
people were murdered here.
5. If you visit Auschwitz-Birkenau today you can still
see the tracks that led people inside this terrible
place. Men, women and children were gassed to
death because they were Jews or because they
did not fit the Nazi idea of a perfect citizen.
Pause for thought- Let
us never forget the
suffering that happened
here.
6. Speak up, Speak out (2)
Each of us has a voice and the choice to use it. The choices
we make in the words and language we use every day
contribute to making a safe and fair society.
Under the Nazi regime of hatred the voices of so many were
taken away. During the genocide (mass murder) in
Cambodia, it was illegal to own a radio, as it was for Jews
under the Nazi regime. Time and again where evil has taken
place people have had their voices taken away, others have
not spoken up and lives have been changed beyond
recognition.
Reflection- We can all use our voices to protect the Human
Rights of others.
7. Speak up, Speak out (3)
There have been many people who did speak up about
terrible things. Sometimes these people did not become
famous or feature in a film, but their courage to speak
out was incredible.
‘The Klerk family looked after a 2 year old Jewish boy and
hid him from the Nazis, even though they risked
imprisonment and even death for helping a Jew’.
Reflection-If we stay silent when cruelty happens we help
the tormentor to carry on. (Elie Wiesel-Holocaust
survivor)
8. Speak Up, Speak out (4)
‘Nothing that I can do will change the structure
of the universe. But maybe by raising my
voice I can help the greatest of all causes-
goodwill among people and peace on earth’
(Albert Einstein, brilliant scientist)
9. Speak Up, Speak out (4 cont)
Watch and listen to the reflection at the link
shown below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQtVH1Xb
NMY
