Poster of the Week

Warsaw 1943 Never Again!

Claude Moller

Silkscreen, 2002

San Francisco, California

Produced in response to the escalation of anti-immigrant sentiments and actions following the tragedy of September 11, 2001, this poster unfortunately remains relevant as anti-immigrant sentiments continue to be loudly and too often violently expressed. It uses one of the most famous photographs taken during the Holocaust to focus on the inhumanity of forced relocation, deportation and separation of families. The photo was taken after the Warsaw Ghetto uprising was suppressed, May 1943, and shows Jewish families arrested by Nazi troops before being sent to Treblinka extermination camp to be gassed. The insurgency was launched in January, 1943, and the most significant portion of the rebellion took place from April 19 until May 16, 1943 when it was crushed by German troops.

April 19 is now commemorated as the beginning of the largest single revolt by the Jews during the Holocaust. “Never Again” was a cry following the horrors of the Nazi extermination camps. It is attributed to the Soviet officer in command of the troops that liberated Auschwitz. In this poster, “Never Again” expresses the hope that humanity and justice will prevail.