Museum Statement on International Roma Day (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum)

On International Roma Day, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum welcomes efforts in Congress and in US embassies around the world to recognize the genocide against Europe’s Roma at the hands of the Nazis and their collaborators, to honor the Romani community and culture, and express concern about continuing violence directed against Romani populations.

In light of the history of the persecution of Roma, which culminated during the Holocaust when at least 250,000 Roma were targeted and murdered by the Germans and their allies, the Museum remains deeply concerned by violence and discrimination against Romani communities in Europe today. In March, vigilante gangs carried out a series of violent attacks against Roma in the suburbs of Paris. On April 3, far-right groups led violent protests against Romani families in suburban Rome. Violence against Roma is common in many other European nations as well.

Read more here.