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Holocaust Memorial Vandalized; Attacks Linked to Nazi Rallies

August 17, 1989
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The Holocaust memorial in Hyde Park was desecrated on two consecutive weekends and the Jewish community is angry but taking it in stride.

Two weeks ago, cement was poured on the monument. Last weekend it was splattered with paint.

On both occasions, the vandalism coincided with neo-Nazi demonstrations in North London.

“It is very sad indeed, but this sort of thing happens from time to time,” said Hayim Pinner, secretary general of the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

“The police are responsible for security and we are assured that the best is being done to protect the memorial,” Pinner added.

The Holocaust monument was established six years ago on the initiative of then president of the Board of Deputies, Greville Janner. A Cabinet secretary represented the government at the inauguration.

The memorial is in the form of a roughly hewn stone on which a quotation from the Book of Lamentations is engraved in Hebrew and English.

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