The commemoration, which was initially scheduled to take place in Montserrat Roig Square, was moved to the Plenary Hall of the consistory due to rain. The purpose of the gathering was to remember the victims of Nazism and emphasize the importance of not forgetting the events.
One of the most emotional moments was the speech by Núria and Roser Basurto, relatives of Eugeni Arqués Simó, a resident of Sabadell who was murdered at the Mauthausen concentration camp in 1942. Both traveled specifically from Mexico to participate in the tribute.
“"We have just recovered our memory, our roots. We are doing what his mother and sister surely would have done if they could have."
The president of Amical Mauthausen, Juan Manuel Calvo, stressed the need to continue honoring the victims. It is estimated that at least 63 Sabadell residents were deported to Nazi camps, 40 of whom died there. Calvo warned about the danger of normalizing hate speech today, recalling that “More than 13 million people voted for Hitler in 1932”.
“"Indifference is not neutral, and silence often implies taking sides."
The event concluded with the traditional floral offering and a dance exhibition by the group Swingcopats. This performance aimed to recall that swing was a musical style persecuted by Nazism due to its connection with the African American community.
