On the occasion of August 2, Roma Holocaust Memorial Day 2020, young Roma and non-Roma people are sharing their messages about the importance of remembrance, challenging antigypsyism and youth activism.
Statement by Aaron Cortes, Spain: “This video is to commemorate the Roma Holocaust, also known as Samudaripen or Porrajmos. The commemoration is the 2nd of August because that night the Nazi army led by Hitler gassed more than 3000 Roma. Why is it necessary to commemorate this date? I will answer with a famous sentence by an unknown author, but what it’s important is that this sentences is written outside Auschwitz camp and it says: “the people who do not know their history are condemned to repeat it”. So, today, 2nd of August, I’m commemorating and I’m remembering because I want a more fairer and more equal society in which racism has no place and cannot rule.”
This video campaign is part of the Roma Youth Voices Project, coordinated by Phiren Amenca and funded by the Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme of the DG Justice, European Commission.