Islington Council yesterday (28 January) marked Holocaust Memorial Day with a tree planting ceremony at St Mary's Church Garden, Upper Street, N1, followed by a reception at Central Library, N5.<br><br>Holocaust survivor Mirjam Finkelstein - who spent one-and-a-half years in the Belsen concentration camp - gave an address recounting her experiences, whilst Islington Council Leader James Kempton re-planted a magnolia tree in commemoration.<br><br>Holocaust Memorial Day gives those who participate the chance to remember people who have suffered as a result of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution - as well as marking other more recent genocides and mass population displacements.<br><br>Cllr Ruth Polling, Islington Council's Executive Member for Leisure and Equalities said:<br><br>"On Holocaust Memorial Day we remember that persecution continues to cause suffering in many parts of the world.<br><br>"As a council we believe communities are stronger when they are more inclusive and tolerant. In Islington we have a very mixed community and this one of the things that makes Islington special. <br><br>"Building an inclusive and cohesive community creates an atmosphere in which we share the responsibility for not tolerating persecution of any kind against any individual or group. <br><br>"Inviting all sectors of the community to remember the Holocaust sends out a positive signal to future generations about our commitment to community cohesion in Islington."<br><br>Attendees were shown a short film on the Holocaust and heard from a range of guest speakers including Holocaust survivor Mirjam Finkelstein.<br><br>Earlier, Cllr Barbara Smith joined London's Mayors at a ceremony at City Hall on 24 January to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.<br><br>An exhibition of watercolour paintings by Paul Winner - loaned by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust collection - is on dispaly in the foyer of the Town Hall until 31 January.<br><br><br>ENDS<br><br>Notes to Editors:<br><br>The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, the organisation behind Holocaust Memorial Day states the day is about commemorating all of the communities who suffered as a result of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution, and demonstrating that the Holocaust is relevant to everyone in the UK today. <br><br>It states the day provides a focus - through national and local events and activities - for people to think about the continuing repercussions of the Holocaust and more recent genocides on our society. Visit it at http://www.hmd.org.uk/<br><br><br><br><br>
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009