Knowsley Council will mark Holocaust Memorial Day today (Tuesday 27 January), a national event to remember the six million Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust. The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. During acts of reflection, the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution and in genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur will also be remembered.
As a mark of respect, the Union Flag outside the Huyton Municipal Buildings and The Kirkby Centre will be lowered to half-mast and the Greystone and Archway Road bridges will be illuminated in purple to ‘light the darkness.’
The theme of Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 is ‘Bridging Generations’, a reminder that the responsibility of remembrance doesn’t end with the survivors – it lives on through their children, their grandchildren and through all of us. This theme encourages us all to engage actively with the past – to listen, to learn and to carry those lessons forward. By doing so, we build a bridge between memory and action, between history and hope for the future. You can read more about this year’s theme here
A minute of silence was held at the full council meeting on Wednesday 21 January as a mark of respect.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said:
“Holocaust Memorial Day is an opportunity to stand united with people and communities across the UK to reflect on the many millions of lives lost due to prejudice, discrimination and racism, and to demonstrate our commitment to nurturing a tolerant and peaceful society in which no-one faces hatred.
“If you experience or witness acts of hate in our communities, I urge you to come forward. You can report it to a number of organisations including Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, your housing provider or to Knowsley’s Crime and Communities Team. There is no space for hate here in Knowsley.”
There are many different and meaningful ways you can get involved and play your part to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Click here to find out how you can get involved.
Reporting hate crime
If it feels like the situation could get heated or violent very soon or if someone in immediate danger call 999 straight away
You can report hate crime online or call 101. If you’d prefer to speak to a police officer in person visit a police station, Merseyside Police can provide a safe and comfortable environment at any of our police stations.
Alternatively, if you don’t feel comfortable reporting it to the police you can report it to Stop Hate UK 0800 138 1625 or email safer.knowsley@knowsley.gov.uk.
Reports can also be made, and safety can be found at Merseyside Fire and Rescue stations across Knowsley and Merseyside. Providing there are fire officers on site, you can report any incident of hate crime here. If the fire station is closed and you need immediate assistance all fire stations have yellow phone boxes outside the building that will connect you to the emergency response control room.