Members of Newcastle Reform Synagogue joined people from across the region to commemorate the Roma and Sinti people murdered during the Holocaust.
Lesley Hagon and Brenda Dinsdale represented the synagogue at the annual commemoration, standing alongside members of the Roma and Sinti communities, the Romanian Honorary Consul, Lord Mayor of Newcastle Henry Gallagher and Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah.
Newcastle upon Tyne holds a special place in this work after becoming the first British city to erect a monument dedicated to the Roma and Sinti people murdered in the Holocaust. The monument was organised by Nicu Ions, the first Romany councillor, with the aim of establishing an annual commemoration in the city around the date of European Holocaust Memorial Day for Sinti and Roma (2 August).
More than 4,000 Roma and Sinti people live in Newcastle, and they expressed their gratitude that so many neighbours had gathered to remember those who were killed and to stand together against hatred and discrimination. Lesley and Brenda joined representatives from other faith communities in laying a wreath at the monument in memory of the victims.
Following the ceremony, attendees walked to Newcastle City Library, where an exhibition of photographs, further talks and refreshments provided an opportunity for continued learning and conversation.
Roma and Sinti people are ethnic communities with a long history across Europe. During the Holocaust, they were targeted for persecution and mass murder by the Nazis and their collaborators, with 500,000 murdered. You can read more here.