“We all must be involved and stay involved .... no one should ever be a spectator! I feel so strongly about this point that if I had the power, I would add an Eleventh Commandment to the universally accepted Ten Commandments: “You should never, never be a bystander.”
(Roman Kent, Auschwitz Survivor)

DO SOMETHING!

In listening to the call of the Survivors, we invite you to actively participate in the activities of the international community building the memory of the extermination of European Jews, and the tragedy of Poles, Roma, Soviet POWs and other groups of victims. Each of us can combat the growing wave of antisemitism as well as xenophobic and racist behaviour.

Do something! - the story of Kazimierz Piechowski

I felt a strong knock to the back of my neck and behind my right ear the hissing voice of a monk sitting behind me: - Kazek, do something! - I came around. I opened the car door and let out a stream of military abuse towards the guard. It wasn’t enough. I jumped out of the car, vigorously placing my hand on the holster. He leapt towards the handle. Open the gate. That’s all we were waiting for. They salute us. We are leaving...
(Kazimierz Piechowski, Auschwitz Survivor)

One of the most dramatic moments of escape from the German Nazi Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp.

On 20 June 1942, four prisoners, dressed up in SS uniforms, drove off in a stolen SS official car through a raised detention barrier, the so-called large chain of guards stretched around KL Auschwitz. At the climax of the daring escape, Kazimierz Piechowski, who spoke fluent German, stepped in with a determined and energetic reaction. They ran away. The pre-war scout, Kazimierz Piechowski born in Gdańsk Pomerania, escaped from the Auschwitz camp after two years of dramatic experiences, and then fought until the end of the war in the units of the Home Army. He suffered persecution at the hands of the Communist security services in the post-war cradle of Solidarity for his affiliation to it. During his retirement, he pursued his childhood dream, travelling the world and visiting nearly 70 countries.

The desperate cry of his friend: Do Something! is a call today to put an end to passivity towards contemporary problems and conflicts; a call to assume a responsible attitude. It is our actions that raise various barriers today and make the world around us a place of liberty, tolerance and respect.