Youngsters - Holocaust survivors urge participation in European elections.
Prior to the impending European election, a group of eight elderly Holocaust survivors penned an open appeal to the youth, urging them to utilize their vote for democracy. This letter was released in Berlin on a Tuesday. It reads, "For several of you, the European election is your first; for many of us, it could potentially be our last." The letter continues, "Grant democracy a chance. Cast your ballot. Exhibit unity in demonstrating that 'Never again' is not simply a phrase but a pledge. A promise that also extends to today, tomorrow, and beyond."
The letter's signatories include Georg Stefan Troller, age 102, Leon Weintraub, Walter Frankenstein, Eva Szepesi, Ruth Winkelmann, Margit Korge, who are nearly as old, as well as Renate Aris, 88, and Eva Umlauf, 81, all of whom endured the Nazi oppression as children. The letter is titled "Never again is now."
Weintraub, aged 98, shared his story, "Out of my immediate family, four of my closest relatives—two siblings, combined with my parents and cousins—were murdered. This outcome is a direct consequence of the mentality 'We're better than others.' And since the implications of these radical opinions, the disdain for others, and the xenophobia, history may unfortunately repeat itself. We must prevent this from happening."
Frankenstein, at 99, stressed the importance of his experiences in 1932 and 1933. "I know what happened back then: a fragile democratic government and a party that gathered those who were disgruntled," related the elderly survivor. "Today, this can be obscured, which is why young people cannot say 'I'm unsure, so I'll just not vote.' That is the worst possible action. Our democracy must continuously be safeguarded."
This open letter was jointly released by the organization Avaaz and is still available for signatures. The European election will occur in Germany on a Sunday.
Read also:
- The Holocaust survivors' appeal encourages European youth to participate in elections, viewing it as a vital demonstration of democracy's enduring promise, "Never again is now."
- As Georg Stefan Troller, a 102-year-old signatory, put it, the EU elections should not be overlooked, as they represent an opportunity to prevent history from repeating the horrors witnessed during the Holocaust.
- The EU elections, set to take place in Berlin and across Europe, are significant for generations, particularly the young, as a reminder of the lessons learned from the past and the need for sustained unity.
- Echoing the sentiments of his fellow signatory Leon Weintraub, a 98-year-old survivor, democracy must be safeguarded, as electoral participation serves as a defense against the resurgence of divisive ideologies and hatred, such as those that led to the Holocaust.
- The European Union, a key proponent of democratic values, stands as emblematic of the ongoing struggle for peace and unity in Europe, a legacy that is preserved and reinforced through the active participation of its youth in the upcoming elections.
