Oppose Construction Plans at Sinti-Roma Memorial: 100 Activists Voice Their Opposition
In the heart of Berlin, a symbol of remembrance and recognition for the Romani and Sinti communities is under threat. The Memorial to the Sinti and Roma Victims of National Socialism, opened in 2012, is facing an extended closure due to planned construction work for S-Bahn line 21.
This memorial, dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust among the Romani and Sinti people, is a significant symbol of remembrance. Its closure is raising questions about who gets to decide what is remembered in Berlin.
Historians estimate that between 25% and 50% of the Romani and Sinti people in Europe were murdered during the Second World War. Yet, the deaths of these communities are sometimes relegated to an afterthought in official commemorations.
The Memorial to the Sinti and Roma Victims of National Socialism is located in Berlin, Germany. It serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities committed against these communities during the Nazi regime.
The planned closure of the memorial is particularly shocking to activist group RomaniPhen, given that Deutsche Bahn, a German railway company with a historical role in earning blood money from the mass deportation of Romani and Sinti people during the Nazi era, has been commissioned for the construction work.
The protest against the construction work was organised by RomaniPhen, a feminist activist group. They argue that the Berlin Senate chose a construction option that will damage the memorial, despite having 15 alternative options.
The controversy around the construction work is not uncommon in such contexts. Municipal agencies, heritage councils, and sometimes advocacy or community groups are often involved in these decisions. The controversy likely arises from differing views on how best to honour the victims — balancing practical construction needs against the memorial's symbolic and historical significance.
Unfortunately, the specific decision-makers or the precise nature of the controversy over the route or construction at this memorial are not explicitly detailed in the search results. However, it is clear that the route chosen for construction work can be controversial because it may affect the memorial's integrity or public accessibility, reflecting concerns about respectful commemoration.
The closure of the Memorial to the Sinti and Roma Victims of National Socialism is a topic of concern for activists. They argue that the memorial is more than just a structure; it is a testament to the resilience and strength of the Romani and Sinti communities. Its closure would be a disservice to the memories of the victims and a step backward in the fight for recognition and remembrance.
As the construction work looms, the future of this important memorial hangs in the balance. The debate continues, with activists calling for a reconsideration of the construction plans and a commitment to preserving the memorial's integrity and significance.
- The controversy surrounding the construction work for S-Bahn line 21 in Berlin doesn't only involve municipal agencies and heritage councils, but also advocacy groups like RomaniPhen, as they argue that the chosen construction option might damage the Memorial to the Sinti and Roma Victims of National Socialism, potentially affecting its symbolic and historical significance in the realm of general news, crime-and-justice, politics, and war-and-conflicts.
- The eternal struggle for recognition and remembrance of the Romani and Sinti communities, who lost between 25% and 50% of their European population during the Second World War, is once again at the forefront as the Memorial to the Sinti and Roma Victims of National Socialism faces an extended closure due to the planned construction work, sparking conversations about politics, crime-and-justice, general news, and the integrity of war-and-conflicts memorials.
