Holocaust Memorial Day 2020: Hundreds gather in Ilford to marks 75 years since liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Politicians, councillors and school pupils came together at the memorial gardens in Valentines Park on January 27 to remember those killed during the Holocaust under Nazi persecution, as well as those who have suffered in genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Faith leaders paid their respects and school students told tales from the atrocities.

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Wreaths were laid and the choir of the South West Essex Reform Synagogue with the Cranbrook United Synagogue performed.

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Redbridge Council marked the occasion by affirming its commitment to fighting hate and inequality by launching the Redbridge Equality Pledge.

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Leader of the council, Councillor Jas Athwal, said: "Holocaust Memorial Day is the time for our community to remember those who suffered unimaginable horrors during the Nazi regime, to honour survivors and victims and to make a stand against persecution.

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

"Everyone can make a commitment towards helping make sure we are all treated equally and fairly by others, regardless of our race, gender, religion, sexuality, or disability - giving us each the freedom to be who we are."

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)

Local school children and adults listen to the service of remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Photography by Ken Mears)