Was Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony to be shelved?

The Grays Riverside councillor says that the council had no plans to hold a ceremony on January 27, only a talk at the Thameside Theatre two days later concerning school trips to Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Mr Morris says the council had a change of heart once he sent out strongly worded emails to top officers including the chief executive, and informed the Gazette.

He said: “I thought it was absolutely disgusting that the event at the memorial gardens in High View Avenue, Grays, was being dropped and felt I ought to do something about it.

“So on Sunday I emailed the chief executive and the paper saying exactly what I thought.

“On Monday afternoon I heard that the service was going ahead and so it should.”

Speaking about why the ceremony is so important, he added: “It is a short, moving ceremony reminding us all that we cannot be complacent and that we must all work to try and make sure this sort of thing never happens again.

“I know the council’s hard up, but this was not only daft, it could be seen as dangerous and I’m really pleased the powers that be have come to their senses.

“I understand the final details of the service are being finalised and I urge everyone who can get there to come along on 27 to show that we will not tolerate injustice and prejudice.”

The Gazette contacted the council yesterday morning to ask what plans it had for Holocaust Memorial Day.

We received a response from the council today, it did not confirm or deny that there had been plans to drop the Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony.

A council spokesman said: “A small memorial service will be held at the memorial gardens in High View Avenue, Grays, at 10am on Wednesday, 27 January, Holocaust Memorial Day.

“The council is also hosting an event at the Thameside Theatre, Grays, two days later. It will be centred around the schools trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau. The doors at the Thameside open at 3pm. This event is also free and open to all.”