Hope
not Fear
9
November 2004
International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism
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CONTENTS
1 What is the
campaign about
2 Join the campaign
3 Background
information
1 What
is the campaign about
Hope not Fear: UNITED against Fascism
and Antisemitism
One of the main characteristics of fascism is the inevitable
tendency to exclude certain groups of society in 'favour' of
the ruling (majority) group. The ultimate consequence of this
policy is fatal: the annihilation of (minority) groups and individuals
targeted by fascism. Fascists aim to divide people into neatly
defined groups of the 'good' and the 'evil'. But they cannot
overcome a strong and united movement of resistance. The fascists
may spread division and fear, we spread unity and hope. Our vision
is one of peaceful co-existence and intercultural respect all
over the world. Together we want to build a Europe of tolerance
and solidarity, a Europe of hope and perspectives. In our common
campaign we need to present society new strategies to overcome
the fascist temptation and antisemitic tendencies. We should
aim to provide new hope to our societies, especially in times
of economic recession and political unrest.
We need to know fascism and its camouflaged counterparts very
well. Not every right-wing opinion that can be heard within a
modern democratic society fits into the scheme of 'traditional'
fascist ideology. But every kind of fascist ideology exploits
the fear of its clientele by stirring up hatred against political
opponents and minorities. For fascists and Nazis, in 1938 and
today, antisemitism is the main medium to project their fear
and their hatred against another group of people. We need to
counter fascism and antisemitism in the context of our increasingly
connected and complicated societies. Are protests against the
policies of a government a legitimate expression of opinion or
do they sometimes contain xenophobic sentiments? Can we accept
democratically legitimised policies which by pass basic human
rights for the sake of 'state-security' or material wealth? Is
resistance against cruel policies a duty when human rights are
ignored and human beings are used as scapegoats? Is history repeating
itself when European Jews have to be afraid of being recognizable
in public, 66 years after 9 November 1938, the night the German
fascists put their ideology of fear and hatred into cruel action?
We have to face the dangers of fascism and antisemitism when
they occur. That is why UNITED states "No more hatred, no
more fascism, never again 'Kristallnacht'!"
UNITED against Fascism and Antisemitism
One of the first openly visible consequences of the fascist ideology
of fear and hatred was the pogrom against Jewish properties,
synagogues and lives on the night of 9 November 1938, known as
'Kristallnacht'. The open violence was described by Nazi authorities
as a spontaneous 'uprising of the German people' against Jews,
in fact the murderous pogrom was carefully prepared by leading
propagandists of fear and hatred as first step towards the final
extermination of the European Jews. Today, 9 November, 'Kristallnacht',
is a symbolic date for anti-fascists all over Europe to commemorate
the night when the hatred and the fear turned into open violence
against Germany's Jews.
The UNITED campaign around 9 November aims to give the anti-racist
movement power and hope to resist the fear spread by fascists
and to raise awareness of the plight of the victims of the hatred.
Look who's talking!
In our globalised world, communication and the transmission of
messages and ideologies is easier than ever before. Although
the ways fascists bring their evil ideas to the people may have
changed, the content remained the same ever since. Fascism nowadays
frequently uses 'respectable' masques and populist methods to
hide and encode its dangerous propaganda. Especially since 11
September 2001 and the intensification of the conflict in the
Middle East, populist politicians have tried to profit from the
fear connected with terrorism and war. Antisemitism and islamophobia
are on their rise in Europe and became a major issue for anti-racist
action-groups. On some occasions critical comments on US or Israeli
policies can easily be misunderstood as antisemitic or populist,
but also fascists use apparently 'anti-imperialist' terms to
camouflage their evidently antisemitic views. Worrying antisemitic
tendencies within the progressive peace and "anti-globalization"
movements have been signaled, too. These days the anti-fascist
movement should still examine its own position towards racist
tendencies in society and has to take care that the language
used is one of unity and solidarity instead of hatred and fear.
It is time to act UNITED against fascism and antisemitism!
Join the struggle against intolerance:
NEVER AGAIN!
You are involved in a controversial discussion when somebody
argues, that in fact, "Israel is a Nazi state and has no
right to exist!" or "All Arabs are terrorists!"
How would you react? Would you be afraid to oppose such a statement
although you do not agree? It is not indifference that is needed,
but - on the contrary - active involvement. This means to be
informed and critical and to voice your opinion. It means to
resist simplistic propaganda and demagogy. It means also to constantly
question one's own arguments. It is important to discuss common
solutions to difficult problems, to find mutual intercultural
respect. Through cooperation with groups of a different faith,
different ethnic and cultural background, we promote tolerance
and social cohesion. We must never forget where division and
hatred led to, as illustrated by 'Kristallnacht', we have to
show clearly what we stand for: Never Again!
2 Join
the campaign
What you can do
Each year around 9 November the UNITED network organises a European-wide
campaign to commemorate the "Kristallnacht" pogrom,
to protest against intolerance and to build a better future of
tolerance and respect.
The strength of UNITED campaigns is that the diversity of the
European movement against racism, fascism and intolerance in
a common action. There are many different approaches and philosophies,
different methods and ways, but one common vision of intercultural
understanding and peace. UNITED campaigns generate publicity
and mobilise people but they are also a unique opportunity to
inspire each other and to learn from each other's experiences.
As a sign of reconciliation and mutual understanding different
groups commemorate the 'Kristallnacht' pogrom together. Eye-witnesses
tell about their experiences to young activists, youth groups
take the occasion to develop models of responsible and progressive
commemoration of the Holocaust. UNITED against fascism and antisemitism,
Jews and Roma groups organise joint commemorations and Christian
groups cooperate with gay organisations. Together we want to
highlight the danger of discrimination, racism and division and
we stand together for peace and understanding.
The variety and creativity of many simultaneous activities on
different levels all over Europe make the campaign successful.
The campaign is linked together by the use of a single date at
its centre - 9 November - and the use of a common theme and slogan.
This poster is designed to introduce you to the theme. As a campaign
tool you can use it during your campaign activities. You can
organise: public discussion meetings, demonstrations, commemoration
meetings, conferences, poster actions, media actions, cultural
events together with minority and anti-racist groups...
Join the campaign!
> Order more of these posters for free from the UNITED secretariat
(max. 100)
> Inform UNITED (by mail/fax/e-mail) about your planned activities
(title, date, theme, place) and the name, address and contact
person of your organisation
Planning a campaign activity
Keep in mind that most activities are organised on a low- or
no-budget basis. So 'no money' does not necessarily mean 'no
action'. Important is to include the protection and empowerment
of victims of fascism and antisemitism in your campaign aims.
Practical tips:
> Start your preperations in time
> Keep in touch with the UNITED Secretariat to spread your
news to the network and to provide it with recent information
> Use the resources you already have within your organisation
> Look for partners and alliances - if appropriate also outside
the NGO movement (schools, religious groups, community groups)
> Try to involve as many people as possible already during
preparation (volunteers, partners etc.) and divide tasks clearly
> Keep in mind that you can order campaign material at the
UNITED Secretariat for free
Questions to be answered:
> What is the message you want to communicate?
> What outcome do you expect (short-term/long-term)?
> How do want to communicate your message?
> What publicity do you need to communicate your message?
> Are there special ways and/or occasions when the communication
can be more effective?
How UNITED can help
> UNITED will produce a special List of Activities that will
be taking place all around Europe, which can help you to make
contacts, generate ideas and exchange speakers with other groups.
It will be updated several times and will be published on our
website: www.unitedagainstracism.org
under 'campaigns'.
> Call UNITED if you cannot find a partner for your activities.
We might know of other NGOs in your region or city who are planning
an activity.
> A media release will be sent to the UNITED network organisations
and to all important European press agencies, newspapers, etc.
Journalists that want to know more about specific activities
are referred to the organisations involved in local actions.
UNITED will produce a European report after 9 November, including
as many of the activities that took place as possible.
How you can help UNITED
We can only do this with your help. Help us make the media release
exciting! Announce your activities to us! Send us your invitations,
leaflets and posters before and after the activities take place.
Send us your media contacts. Help us make the report complete.
Make sure your activity is included! Send us reports, newspaper
articles, photographs, etc. directly after the event.
3 Background
information
The "Kristallnacht" Pogrom
In Germany on 9 November 1938, the Nazis started a pogrom against
the Jews. After the Nazis came to power in 1933, Jews were subjected
to harsh discriminatory laws against them - being forced to hand
over their businesses to 'Aryans', being allowed to shop in Jewish-owned
shops only, children only allowed to go to Jewish schools etc.
This was accompanied by organised violence against Jews in the
streets and elsewhere. But, until November 9th 1938, these attacks
had the appearance of being unplanned and not sanctioned by the
leadership of the Nazi Party and the government of Germany. On
November 6th, a young Jew living in Paris, Herschel Grynszpan,
received a post-card from his father Zindel who had been deported,
along with 18.000 other German Jews, on October 27th to the Polish
frontier. The postcard described the terrible conditions under
which the deportees were living. Herschel Grynszpan was so angered
by what he read that he went to the German Embassy in Paris and
shot the first German official that he saw, Ernst vom Rath, a
diplomatic assistant. Ernst Vom Rath died of his injuries on
8 November 1938 and the news of his death reached Germany the
next day. Hitler and Goebbels were at that moment attending a
NSDAP-gathering on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the
Hitler putsch on 9 November 1923. Goebbels directly took up the
chance to make a hate-filled speech against Jews.
The pogrom started in Berlin on 9 November 1938, organised unofficially
by Hitler's SA storm troops. In a telegram to all SA and SS-groups,
Reinhard Heydrich, a high-rank officer of the SS, clearly ordered
the violence to begin. Synagogues were set on fire. Jewish shops
had their windows smashed across the country, which gave rise
to the name "Kristallnacht", which freely translated
means the Night of Broken Glass. Many Jews were physically attacked
too. More than 7000 Jewish businesses across the country were
attacked. Fires were lit in every Jewish area and the Nazis burned
religious books. Around 200 synagogues were destroyed. The violence
lasted 24 hours and 91 Jews were killed. More than 30.000 Jews
were arrested and sent to concentration camps. Many of them were
killed in the following two months.
Nowadays, the "Kristallnacht" pogrom is seen as the
beginning of the Holocaust, the mass murder on Europe's Jewish
population. In addition to the approximately 6 million Jews who
were the targets of the Nazis' complete annihilation policy,
there were an estimated 5,5 million "enemies of the German
state", criminals and 'asocials', people with mental disabilities,
homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, political offenders such as
communists and socialists, and Roma and Sinti. Estimates of the
number of Roma and Sinti murdered are between 200.000 and 1.500.000.
The estimated number of homosexuals killed in the concentration
camps varies from 10.000 to 15.000.
The word "Kristallnacht" was given to the event by
the Nazis themselves, because it mocked what had happened. German
anti-fascists today prefer to describe the pogrom as "Reichspogromnacht",
although in most other countries the term "Kristallnacht"
is used as it is better known.
Definitions
antisemitism
Antisemitism is prejudice against Jewish people. Antisemites
wrongly believe that Jews are fundamentally different from other
people, that they want to rule the world and are trying to reach
this goal through a world-wide conspiracy. This form of xenophobic
intolerance leads to discrimination against individuals as well
as to the persecution of Jews as a group. The most horrific manifestation
of antisemitism came with
Hitler's rise to power and the Nazi ideology of racial purity.
fascism
Fascism is a violent extreme right-wing political movement. Fascism
gains support among all social groups especially in times of
political and economical crisis. It destroys democratic liberties
and discriminates members of specific (ethnic) minorities and
people with different views. Fascists believe in the leadership
of a strong man, instead of parliamentary democracy. Fascism
is based on a strong nationalism, which often turns racist. The
term fascism is historically linked to the Italian fascism under
Mussolini, but is applied to a range of similar regimes, parties
and movements.
nazism
Nazism is an ideology and policy of German fascism, which was
characterised by racism, antisemitism, totalitarianism, social
demagogy, aggression and claims of superiority over other nations.
The word nazism is derived from the expression 'national-socialism',
which was a political movement in Germany led by the NSDAP (German
National-Socialist Workers' Party). The Nazi regime was responsible
for the deaths of millions of civilians. Some groups identify
themselves with the ideals of nazism even today. These neo-Nazis
sometimes manifest themselves as skinheads, but not all of them
do and not all skinheads are neo-nazis.
scapegoats
In general a scapegoat is a person blamed or punished for sins
of others. In the societal context the use of scapegoats is strongly
related to prejudice. A person or an entire group is blamed on
the basis of misleading information, stereotypes or resentments.
Especially in times of societal changes and crisis people look
for somebody to blame. Problems in society become so complex
that it is difficult to understand the real reasons
for social change. The use of scapegoats compensates for this
feeling of powerlessness and insecurity.
Internet resources
UNITED for Intercultural Action - www.unitedagainstracism.org
Internet Centre Anti-Racism Europe (I CARE) - www.icare.to
Antisemitism and Xenophobia Today - www.axt.org.uk
Searchlight Magazine www.searchlightmagazine.com
Stephen Roth Institute - www.tau.ac.il/Anti-Semitism
Holocaust Memorial Museum - www.ushmm.org
What is UNITED?
UNITED for Intercultural Action is the European network against
nationalism, racism, fascism and in support of migrants and refugees.
Racism, nationalism, fascism, discrimination, restrictive asylum
policies - these issues have a European dimension. It is important
to fight intolerance on all levels. Linked through UNITED, more
than 560 organisations from a wide variety of backgrounds, from
all European countries, work together on a voluntary basis. They
base their cooperation on common actions and shared activities
on a mutual respect. UNITED is and will remain independent from
all political parties, organisations and states, but seeks an
active co-operation with other anti-racist initiatives in Europe.
Through the UNITED network organisations meet each other, work
on common actions and share information. European-wide action
weeks, campaigns and such are planned and discussed on UNITED
conferences. Like-minded organisations find each other on such
conferences and work together on specific projects and on specific
topics. The workers in the secretariat are in constant contact
with the network organisations, ensuring that information and
proposals for action are transmitted rapidly. Information is
received from more than 2000 organisations and mailings go out
to about 2200 groups in Europe. If you want to get involved,
discuss the ideas and aims of the UNITED network within your
organisation. Let us know that your organisation would like to
join or receive information. And add us to your mailing list!
Up
UNITED
for Intercultural Action
European network against nationalism, racism, fascism
and in support of migrants and refugees
Postbus
413, NL-1000 AK Amsterdam, Netherlands
phone +31-20-6834778, fax +31-20-6834582
info@unitedagainstracism.org,
www.unitedagainstracism.org
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