Commemorative event on August 2nd at the memorial in Große Bachgasse
Darmstadt. The City of Darmstadt, together with the Hessian State Association of German Sinti and Roma and the "Güterbahnhof Memorial" initiative Saturday, August 2, 2025 , at 1:30 p.m. The memorial will take place at the memorial in Große Bachgasse in front of the Justus Liebig House , in the vicinity of which several Sinti families once lived who were victims of Nazi persecution.
A call to action against racism
August 2nd commemorates the night in 1944 when thousands of Sinti and Roma were murdered by the SS at the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp Mayor Barbara Akdeniz will speak on behalf of Mayor Hanno Benz .
Benz emphasizes in a statement:
“Remembering the persecution of the Sinti and Roma is not just a look back at a dark past, but a call to stand up today for a society in which diversity is valued. Every form of racism can lead to immeasurable suffering – this must motivate us to actively stand up for democracy and respect.”
Barbara Akdeniz also warns:
“The atrocities committed against Sinti and Roma are part of our history – and at the same time a lasting obligation. We must confront prejudices and actively oppose discrimination.”
Words of warning from the community
Rinaldo Strauß , deputy managing director of the state association of German Sinti and Roma, criticizes the lack of public awareness of historical responsibility:
“Our history is still barely anchored in the public consciousness. Anti-Gypsyism must not be suppressed. History has shown that looking away can have deadly consequences.”
The city of Darmstadt calls on all citizens to participate in the event and to send a joint message of humanity and tolerance.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
