Blow
Fascism Away!
9
November 2005
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
Blow Fascism Away ...
In Germany on 13 February 2005 thousands of Nazis and right-wing
extremists met, abusing the commemoration of the bombing of Dresden.
This was the biggest demonstration of right-wing extremists in
the history of the Federal Republic of Germany. Unfortunately
this is not the only example. All over Europe, fascist organisations
abused the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the end of
the 2nd World War. During meetings they also had the chance to
spread fascist ideology and to demonstrate strength in a legitimised
way. The victims of the war that were commemorated at such events
did not include any Jews, Roma, homosexuals or disabled.
Fascist organisations aim to rehabilitate racism and National
Socialist ideology. Denying the Holocaust is one of the most
dangerous tools that fascist propaganda uses. Through distortion,
invention, misquotation, manipulation and mistranslation self-appointed
'revisionists' try to prove that the Holocaust is something that
never happened. In public, these 'revisionists' pretend to be
serious scientists with only deviating opinions and often they
are believed and given podium. The crimes against the Jews are
minimised and denied, in particular the mass extermination of
Jews in the gas chambers of the extermination camps. They claim
that there is no evidence that gas chambers really existed. Some
even claim the Holocaust did not happen because there was no
single, systematic 'master plan' for the extermination of the
Jews. Some even blame the Jews themselves to be responsible,
or the Holocaust to be just a big lie made possible through Jewish
conspiracy. In the minds of many Nazis and right-wing extremists
the war crimes committed by the Allied Forces were as bad as
the war crimes of the Germans. During the commemoration events
of the end of WWII fascists did not refrain from using those
unacceptable statements.
But not only fascists make use of antisemitism as a focus for
their hatred. Antisemitism as well as racism, xenophobia and
discrimination of minorities are on the rise in Europe. In France
for example racist and antisemitic violence nearly doubled in
2004, hitting its highest level in a decade and this growth is
showing no sign of slowing down. These are reasons to be concerned.
Join the Movement
We should not allow the denial and trivialisation of nazi crimes.
We should remember this dark chapter of history. We should stand
up against all forms of fascism, antisemitism, racism against
Roma and Sinti, racism and nationalism. All those tendencies
create a world of hatred, ignorance and intolerance. We have
to open our minds to people from different ethnic origins, cultures
and way of lives. We have to become flexible in opposition to
static fascism.
On the night of 9 November 1938 the SA and the SS, together with
ordinary citizens started an enormous pogrom on Jewish properties,
synagogues and lives. Only few tried to help or to resist. Since
then the property and lives of minorities in Europe have been
threatened again and again, and only we can stop it.
Let's join forces and build a strong movement capable of fighting
fascism in all its forms. The UNITED campaign around 9 November
aims to give the anti-racist movement power in the common fight
against fascist ideology and to raise awareness about the victims
of hatred and scapegoating.
So what can we do?
You are involved in a controversial discussion when somebody
argues, that in fact, "Hitler has little knowledge of the
Final Solution, there is no order signed by him, so there was
never an organised extermination of Jews and Gypsies" 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 takes
part 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!
> Make sure your event is included in the European List of Activities! Inform UNITED about your
planned activities (title, date, theme, place) and name, address
and contact person of your organisation.
> Make use of this poster! Order (max. 100 posters) for free
from the UNITED secretariat. 
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. Make use of
our information leaflet 'Get Active - The
'How to organise an activity?'
guide. Look at www.unitedagainstracism.org
under 'publications'.
Practical tips:
> Start your preparations in time
> Keep in touch with the UNITED Secretariat to spread your
new
ideas 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 all activities that will take place in Europe, which can
help you to make contacts, generate ideas and exchange speakers
with other groups. It will be updated regularly 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.
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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