THIS year’s Holocaust Memorial Day (January 27) will be marked by online services in light of lockdown restrictions.

The theme "Be the light in the darkness", asks people to consider different kinds of "darkness", including, identity-based persecution, misinformation, denial of justice and different ways of "being the light", such as acts of solidarity, and illuminating mistruths.

Holocaust Memorial Day is organised to remember the millions of people killed in the Holocaust, Nazi persecution before and during the Second World War and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.

The theme was chosen in response to “ the utterly unprecedented times through which we are living currently that show the very best of which humanity is capable but also - in some of the abuse and conspiracy theories being spread on social media - the much darker side of our world as well.”

Liberal Democrat Shaw and Crompton district lead Cllr Diane Williamson said: “In normal times we would have held our service at Crompton War Memorial, with members from the community, but due to the national lockdown and previous tier restrictions, this year we will have to remember at home.”

An affirmation and call to action for everyone marking Holocaust Memorial Day, the theme also aims to encourage people to reflect on the ways individuals and communities resisted the darkness during and after the genocide.

Cllr Williamson, added: “Because we are not holding a service, it does not mean that we are going to forget instead of placing a stone at Crompton War Memorial.

"I shall be lighting a candle at 8pm and I will place a stone at the side of it. The act of placing visitation stones is significant in Jewish bereavement practices.

"Small stones are placed by people as an act of remembrance or respect for the deceased; the stone is places using the left hand. I hope you can join me in this act of remembrance during this pandemic”.

There is a service online hosted by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, at 7pm, and a Greater Manchester Holocaust Memorial Day service at 10am.