One person can make a difference

To mark Holocaust Memorial Day we have organised a special screening of the powerful film Hotel Rwanda.

The film will be showing at 6.30pm on Thursday 26 January at Cineworld on the Stevenage Leisure Park. Entry is £3, tickets available in advance from member services, with all money going to the Aegis Rwanda Trust.

Holocaust Memorial Day is the following day, Friday 27 January. The day provides a focus - through national and local events - for people to think about the repercussions of the Holocaust on our communities. As well as the Nazi persecution of the Jews this includes genocide such as the massacre of the Tutsis in Rwanda.

This event is in its sixth year and the theme for 2006 is ‘one person can make a difference’ celebrating the courage of the rescuers who helped people survive during the persecution. Many rescuers are still alive and living in the UK and they should be honoured.

Hotel Rwanda, certificate 12a, is a film that tells the story of one person who did make a difference. As his country descends into madness, five-star hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina, played by Oscar nominee Don Cheadle, sets out to save his family. But when he sees that the world will not intervene in the massacre, he finds the courage to open his hotel to over 1,200 refugees. Now, with a rabid militia at the gates, he has only his wits and words to help keep them alive another hour, another day.

Stevenage Mayor Councillor Brian Underwood said: “Events such as Holocaust Memorial Day are important to commemorate all of the communities who suffered as a result of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution. As a community leader this Council is proud to support these events to promote equality, foster a harmonious community and help prevent discrimination to make sure that atrocities like these never happen again.”

For more information or to buy a ticket for Hotel Rwanda please contact Marilyn Emerson on 01438 242179.

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For political comment:

Labour Bruce Jackson 01438 350323

Liberal Democrat Robin Parker 01438 724746

Conservative Graham Clark 01438 360538