Berlin, June 24 – A new memorial was inaugurated in Berlin’s Tiergarten yesterday, commemorating the persecution and resistance of Jehovah’s Witnesses under the Nazi dictatorship. The monument, unveiled 81 years after the end of Nazi rule, aims to shed light on a history that has long received insufficient attention.
Bundestag President Emphasizes Humanity Amidst Injustice
Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CSU) spoke at the inauguration, stating, “This memorial is dedicated to the people who suffered bitter injustice and yet repeatedly demonstrated humanity.” Her words underscored the resilience and moral fortitude of those persecuted.
Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Resistance Against the Nazi Regime
Known at the time as Bible Students, Jehovah’s Witnesses actively resisted the Nazi system. According to the Foundation “Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe,” members of the religious community refused to give the Hitler salute, did not join party organizations, and provided assistance to other persecuted individuals. Their steadfastness in adhering to their beliefs put them directly in opposition to the Nazi ideology.
More than 15,000 members of the religious community became targets of the National Socialists and were systematically persecuted. The Foundation reports that over 1,800 Jehovah’s Witnesses lost their lives under Nazi rule, enduring imprisonment in concentration camps, torture, and execution for their faith.
Sculpture Symbolizes Steadfastness
The five-meter-high bronze sculpture, designed by artist Matthias Leeck, evokes the image of a tree whose branches have been cut but remains steadfast. This powerful imagery symbolizes the enduring spirit and unwavering faith of the persecuted Jehovah’s Witnesses despite immense suffering.
A Deliberate Location with Historical Significance
The memorial’s location near the Goldfish Pond in Tiergarten was chosen deliberately by the Foundation. State Minister for Culture and Media Wolfram Weimer (non-affiliated) explained that Jehovah’s Witnesses secretly met there, using a chair rental service for park visitors as a cover, to exchange information. “The Gestapo carried out their arrest operation precisely here, where 17 courageous people directly lost their lives,” Weimer stated, highlighting the tragic history associated with the site.
Unanimous Parliamentary Support for the Memorial
The German Bundestag unanimously voted in favor of the memorial on June 22, 2023. Klöckner noted the rare consensus, stating, “Many issues are passionately debated and voted on very differently here. But here there was unanimity.” This unanimous decision underscores the broad recognition of the need to acknowledge this often-overlooked group of victims.
Addressing a Gap in Remembrance Culture
Klöckner also addressed the delay in establishing the memorial, acknowledging that even after the end of Nazi rule, reservations against religious communities persisted. “Their faith remained alien and suspect to many people. Their persecution and suffering were too little seen,” she explained. Weimer concluded that the memorial “closes a gap in our culture of remembrance,” ensuring that the sacrifices of Jehovah’s Witnesses are no longer forgotten.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by approximately 1,000 guests, including political figures, religious representatives, and members of the public, all gathered to pay tribute to the victims and acknowledge their legacy of resistance.
Source: news.de
