November 16, civil activist Violetta Grudina held picket at the park of Leningradskaya street in Murmansk. She came without posters and paraphernalia, but broadcasted slogans and speeches on www.periscope.tv. The event took place during the week of educational activities in memory of the events that occurred on the night of November 9 to 10, 1938.
This date is remembered for mass pogroms that destroyed thousands of synagogues, hospitals, schools, shops. Got its name from the sound of breaking glass, "Crystal Night" was the first step towards further economic and political persecution of the Jews, which led to the tragedy of the XX century – the Holocaust.
'All men are different by nature, but equal in dignity and rights. Tolerance means respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of world cultures, forms of expression and ways of being human. In recent years, there has been a sharp rise in instances of intolerance, extremism and violence,' Violetta Grudina commented on her picket. 'As a result, individuals and entire communities became the targets of violence and cruelty only because of their nationality. Such threats, whether large-scale genocide or everyday humiliation due to prejudice, should cause alarm for each person. So today in the framework of the international week of awareness-raising actions "Crystal night – never again", we are against xenophobia and incitement to hatred in society, pitting different groups against each other, and call for respect for human dignity, respect for human rights without discrimination.
November 13, also in the framework of the International Week of educational activities, activists held screening of documentary film "Ivan. In memory of our friend" at the club "Floating Dock". The film is about life and fate of the Moscow anti-fascist Ivan Khutorskoy, who was killed by neo-Nazis on November 16, 2009. At the meeting, Murmansk antifascists also recalled Timur Kacharava, who was killed by the Nazis 11 years ago, on November 13, 2005 in St. Petersburg.
Every year in November, activists of anti-fascist orientation in different cities and countries carry out activities and events designed to remind the public of nationalism, racism and totalitarianism.
