Oppose construction projects threatening Sinti-Roma memorial: 100 protesters voice concerns
The Memorial to the Sinti and Roma Victims of National Socialism, a poignant reminder of the genocide suffered by the Romani and Sinti communities during World War II, is facing a potential closure. This decision has sparked protests among activists and historians, who argue that the memorial's closure would be a disservice to the memory of the victims.
Opened in Berlin in 2012, the memorial has been a significant landmark in the city, serving as a testament to the horrors endured by the Romani and Sinti communities during the Nazi era. However, in recent times, it has occasionally been relegated to an afterthought in official commemorations.
The planned closure is a subject of controversy, as it coincides with the construction of S-Bahn line 21. The Berlin Senate, in a controversial move, chose a route for the public transport line that would damage the memorial. This construction work will result in an extended closure of the memorial and will cause permanent impacts, including the felling of nearby trees and long-term changes to the surroundings.
Activists from the feminist group RomaniPhen are leading the charge against the construction work. They find it particularly shocking that Deutsche Bahn, a German railway company with a history of 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 has garnered support from 100 activists. They argue that the memorial's closure would be a disrespectful act, particularly given the estimated 25-50% of the Romani and Sinti population in Europe that was murdered during the war.
The Berlin city authorities, though not explicitly named, are overseeing the construction work. In Berlin, memorials of this nature are typically managed by city governmental departments in charge of cultural heritage or urban development. However, the specific agency or organization responsible for this particular construction work remains unclear.
Despite the controversy, the construction work is set to proceed, threatening the continued existence of the Memorial to the Sinti and Roma Victims of National Socialism. This development has sparked a call for vigilance and action from those who seek to ensure that the memory of the victims is never forgotten.
- The Memorial to the Sinti and Roma Victims of National Socialism, a significant landmark for general news and politics, is facing potential closure, which has led to protests and calls for action on social media.
- The planned closure of the memorial coincides with the construction of S-Bahn line 21, which is causing controversy as it is being carried out by Deutsche Bahn, a company with a history in war-and-conflicts and the mass deportation of Romani and Sinti people during World War II, leading to concerns in the entertainment and social-media spheres.
