MCC’s Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Project has joined with 89 international institutions to denounce the recent upsurge in hate speech throughout the country, condemn white nationalism, and call for vigilance from all citizens. Members of the Association of Holocaust Organizations, including the HGHRP, have released a public statement in which Holocaust institutions, scholars, and educators from around the world respond to attacks on various groups and the use of Nazi symbols to inspire fear:
“Recent months have seen a surge in unabashed racism and hate speech – including blatant antisemitism and attacks on Hispanics, Muslims, African-Americans, women, the LGBTQ community, as well as other targeted groups. Journalists have been threatened. Places of worship, schools and playgrounds have been defaced with Nazi symbols intended to intimidate and arouse fear. White supremacist groups have become self-congratulatory and emboldened.
As Holocaust scholars, educators and institutions, we are alarmed by these trends. History teaches us that intolerance, unchecked, leads to persecution and violence. We denounce racism and the politics of fear that fuels it. We stand in solidarity with all vulnerable groups. We take Elie Wiesel's words to heart: ‘I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation.’
Therefore, we call upon all elected officials as well as all civic and religious leaders to forcefully and explicitly condemn the rise in hate speech and any attacks on our democratic principles. We call upon all media and social media platforms to refuse to provide a stage for hate groups and thus normalize their agenda. And we call upon all people of good conscience to be vigilant, to not be afraid, and to speak out.”
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/holocaust-organizations-scholars-and-educators-sound-alarm-on-surge-in-hate-crimes-300374040.html
https://www.mjhnyc.org/documents/HolocaustOrganizationsandScholarsStatementFINAL.pdf
The Association of Holocaust Organizations is a network dedicated to the advancement of Holocaust education, remembrance and research. The Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Project, established in 1990, is MCC’s unique organization for telling the stories of the Holocaust and other genocides while transforming individuals to become advocates for human rights.