WARSAW, Poland (JTA) – Eleven protesters who slaughtered a sheep, stripped and chained themselves to the gate of the Auschwitz memorial have been charged with desecrating a monument.
The Polish, Belarusian and German demonstrators — seven men and four women all in their 20s — gathered Friday afternoon next to the gate of the former Nazi concentration camp in Oswiecim, Poland, for the peace demonstration. Police detained the demonstrators, who are facing fines or other punishment.
The person who killed the sheep will face additional charges under animal protection laws, the AFP news agency reported.
“Using the symbol of Auschwitz for any kind of manifestation or happening is outrageous and unacceptable,” the museum said in a statement. “It is disrespectful to the memory of all the victims of the Nazi German Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp.”
The protesters also draped a white banner reading “love” in red over the gate, which bears the sign reading “Arbeit macht frei,” German for “Work will set you free,” and reportedly used a drone to film the incident.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
