An arresting reminder of the Holocaust

LYNN – One speaker recounted his grandmother’s experience in the Holocaust. Another detailed a youth spent in the Killing Fields of the Khmer Rouge.But while the setting of these stories were many years and many miles away, they were shared at Lynn Police headquarters Thursday to remind citizens that the lessons from the darkest chapters of history must never be forgotten.”Forgetting the Holocaust, Cambodian genocide, and others makes us accomplices of those who committed them,” said Juan Gonzalez, regional coordinator for the Global Embassy of Activists for Peace.The Global Embassy of Activists for Peace was founded in 2012 in Puerto Rico by international pacifist Dr. William Soto Santiago. Santiago has travelled throughout Latin America, England, Spain, Rwanda and Israel to lead initiatives and campaigns for peace and respect for human rights.The New England chapter held a forum and photographic exhibit at the police station Thursday morning that was entitled: Educating to Remember: The Holocaust – Paradigm of Genocide. Representatives of the Lynn Police, Lynn Human Rights Commission, Israeli Consulate, and state and local governmental leaders attended.The speakers’ messages varied significantly. Soto Santiago, via video, stressed “the importance of education as a tool to change the situation of the country” – both for peace or, as in Nazi Germany, for hatred.Lynn City Councilor at large Hong Net recounted a childhood under the Khmer Rouge. Resident Seth Albaum recounted a family history from the Holocaust. Lynn Police Deputy Chief Leonard Desmarais discussed the concept of community policing and fixing community problems before they lead to crimes. State Rep.-elect Brendan Crighton discussed the role of democracy in promoting human rights.The broad spectrum of speakers also showcased how many aspects of a society – politics, voting, justice, law and order, economics, human rights, and discussion – contribute to prevent genocide.”If people push you into the light, and hold you accountable, it is a better community,” Desmarais said.Bekemeh Airewele, a senior at KIPP Academy who was volunteering at the forum, said the exhibit of six photographs from Nazi Germany and forum discussions helped give her a more personal connection with history.”I learned about it in a more real way because we had speakers who experienced this and whose families were affected,” Airewele said.Gonzalez said he chose to hold the forum in Lynn because he is a resident. The group is circulating a petition to hold a similar event at the Massachusetts State House Jan. 27 in recognition of the International Day of Commemoration for the Holocaust.Gonzalez said Lynn’s diversity -?which includes populations who have fled countries due to genocide – makes the message of tolerance particularly resonant.”These genocides occurred, we can’t let them be forgotten,” Gonzalez said. “I think it’s very important for us as Guatemalans, Mexicans, Cambodians and Americans to ensure (genocide doesn’t) happen again.”