Vaccine mandate rally: Auschwitz Memorial slams RFK Jr rant for referencing Anne Frank
Robert F Kennedy criticised for ‘exploiting of the tragedy’ of the Holocaust
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Aushwitz Memorial has called Robert F Kennedy Jr’s remarks comparing vaccines to the Holocaust “a sad symptom of moral and intellectual decay”.
Speaking at an anti-vaxx rally in Washington DC on Sunday, the nephew of former president John F Kennedy claimed that in the future “none of us can run and none of us can hide”.
“Bill Gates said his 65,000 satellites alone will be able to look at every square inch of the planet 24 hours a day. They’re putting in 5G to harvest our data and control our behaviour.”
He went on to compare vaccine passports to the Nazi regime, and invoked Anne Frank in a shocking argument.
“Even in Hitler’s Germany, you could hide in the attic like Anne Frank did.”
“Making reckless comparisons to the Holocaust, the murder of six million Jews for a political agenda is outrageous and deeply offensive. Those who carelessly invoke Anne Frank, the star badge, and the Nuremberg Trials exploit history and the consequences of hate,” the museum said on Monday in a statement posted to Twitter.
The Aushwitz Museum swiftly slammed the comments on Twitter, as did a number of other observers on Sunday.
Exploiting of the tragedy of people who suffered, were humiliated, tortured & murdered by the totalitarian regime of Nazi Germany - including children like Anne Frank - in a debate about vaccines & limitations during global pandemic is a sad symptom of moral & intellectual decay.
— Auschwitz Memorial (@AuschwitzMuseum) January 23, 2022
“Exploiting of the tragedy of people who suffered, were humiliated, tortured and murdered by the totalitarian regime of Nazi Germany - including children like Anne Frank - in a debate about vaccines and limitations during global pandemic is a sad symptom of moral and intellectual decay.”
CNN anchor Jake Tapper labelled RFK an “ignorant lying menace”.
MSNBC’s Mehdi Hasan said using antisemitic analogies to fight against life-saving vaccines is “just beyond me”.
Several thousand people were estimated to have taken part in the march from from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial.
The crowd congregated at the National Mall where they heard speeches from doctor Robert Malone and TV producer Del Bigtree.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments