Show Racism the Red Card & UNISON pay respects in Auschwitz-Birkenau
Last week, SRtRC joined UNISON North-West on an educational trip to Krakow, Poland. The 6-day tour included visits to Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II / Birkenau, Schindler’s Factory and Krakow’s Jewish Quarter.
Ged Grebby (CEO) and Jack Cunningham (Educator) attended the trip for a week of first-hand learning, studying the brutal conditions which led to the Holocaust during World War II. Expert tour-guides provided valuable knowledge in incredible detail, educating in both an effective and sensitive manner, improving our understanding of why and how these events unfolded.
The group explored historic Krakow, starting in picturesque Old Town, travelled the former Ghettoes, the Jewish Quarter and visited a museum located within Schindler’s Factory. The museum highlighted the Polish and Jewish experience under German and Soviet regimes. The group ended the day by leaving a candle-lit vigil at a breath-taking monument at the former site of Plaszow concentration camp.
Candle-lit vigil at the Plaszow Memorial statue
Next, the group visited Auschwitz I, where countless objects, images, and other exhibits demonstrated the atrocities committed during this period. The book of 4-million names was particularly harrowing and illustrated the true size of the Holocaust. The group marked their respects by laying a wreath at the camp, in front of the infamous ‘death-wall’ at Auschwitz I. The visit culminated in the viewing of the only remaining gas-chamber and crematorium used by the Nazi’s against the Jewish people.
The infamous entrance gates to Auschwitz I
Day 3 saw the group return to Auschwitz, this time to Auschwitz II / Birkenau. The size and scale of these concentration camps was truly astonishing and stressed the inhumane and terrible conditions imposed onto these peoples. The group saw the remains of multiple gas-chambers including gas-chamber 4, which was destroyed in the only prisoner revolt within these camps. This act of rebellion, within the camp, demonstrated the essential need to fight against racism and all form of injustices, wherever it is possible.
Ged and Jack pay respect to all those who were killed at Auschwitz
Educator, Jack Cunningham said, “This was a remarkable visit whereby the extent of these heinous crimes becomes apparent. Despite studying these events extensively during school, nothing can truly prepare you for this visit. The sheer size of the camps helps visualize the scale of these atrocities, and seeing the number of victims is an extremely emotional and harrowing experience. This trip has certainly improved my knowledge of these events, and I will be able to use many of these learnings within my workshop deliveries going forward.”
Group photo at Auschwitz II / Birkenau
The Red Card would like to extend its gratitude to Unison NW, who have organized this trip for many years. This experience was exceptionally valuable and something we recommend everyone takes the time to do.