Capitol storming puts Holocaust Memorial Day into sharp focus says University of Northampton historian

Rioters’ storming of America’s Capitol Building has put this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day into sharp focus, says a historian from the University of Northampton.

Footage from the attack on January 6 showed some rioters displaying fascist symbols and slogans, while dozens were later found to be listed in the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Database, most as suspected white supremacists.

Associate Professor in History, Dr Paul Jackson, says the events in Washington D.C. show why Holocaust Memorial Day, which takes place on Wednesday 27 January, is as vital as ever.

Professor Jackson, who specialises in the history of fascism and the extreme right, said: “I think it’s important we reflect on the Holocaust every year, and also that we don’t just do this on one day.

“We saw, just a couple of weeks ago, neo-nazis and Holocaust deniers, and also Holocaust celebrators, storm the Capitol in America.

“If we forget the past and the Holocaust, then we are going to run into real problems.

“Holocaust Memorial Day gives us the opportunity to remember, to reflect, and also to think about issues that are related to the Holocaust, such as prejudice and extremism, and how they relate to our lives today.”

He added: “The echoes of the Nazi Party past are still with us, but as good historians we also need to be careful not to see everything that’s happening today as exactly the same as the past, things are very different. But the day ought to give us pause to reflect on where prejudice takes us, and also to think about the need to call out prejudice, extremism and intolerance of others when we see it around us.”

Listen to Prof Jackson’s BBC Radio Northampton preview of Holocaust Memorial Day (interview starts 3h 44m).

Due to the pandemic, the University will be marking Holocaust Memorial Day with a free online event.

Northampton PhD student, Bethany McTrustery is one of the speakers. She will be discussing her research which explores the ways in which Holocaust narratives have changed in the generations following the liberation of the camps. History undergraduate, Ella Phelps, will also present on the day.

The keynote speaker is Dr Liam Liburd from King’s College London, who will give a short lecture based on his research titled: Antisemitism & Empire on the British Radical Right.

John Josephs, from Northampton Hebrew Congregation, and Fr Andrew Behrens, from the University’s Multifaith Chaplaincy will also contribute to the event.

Find out more about the event, which runs from 1.30pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 27 January.