Against the backdrop of a rising wave of global antisemitism, a memorial initiative titled ‘Never Again on Wheels’ is set to get underway, as a Czech cyclist plans a 1,000-kilometer ride along a special route in Poland designed to spell out the words ‘Never Again’ in English.
The initiative is being led by cyclist Lukáš Klement, who is inviting the public to join him for the first kilometer of the journey. The ride will begin this coming Thursday at 3 p.m. from the Gate of Death at the Auschwitz extermination camp, a site symbolizing one of the most horrific acts of mass murder in history. Klement said that even if no additional riders join him, he intends to set out as planned.
The journey is expected to last up to 50 hours of riding and will be carried out in cooperation with ZAKA Search and Rescue, an Israeli humanitarian organization involved in disaster response, recovery and honoring the dead. ZAKA is recognized by the United Nations and operates through volunteer teams.
Klement said his decision to partner with ZAKA stemmed from the organization’s focus on honoring the dead and from the diverse makeup of its volunteers, which includes Jews, Christians and Muslims. In recent years, ZAKA has operated at disaster sites around the world, including during the war in Ukraine, where it assisted dozens of Holocaust survivors, among them a 101-year-old survivor. The organization has also dispatched emergency teams to Australia, Switzerland and other locations.
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A 1,000-kilometer ride in Poland designed to spell out the words ‘Never Again’
(Photo: ZAKA)
According to Klement, the initiative is taking place in proximity to recent terror attacks and ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and is intended as a gesture of remembrance and solidarity. He stressed that the project is open to the public, inviting people to join parts of the ride or support the initiative in other ways.
To help coordinate participation and share information, a dedicated WhatsApp group has been set up, offering details on how to join sections of the ride or show support.
This is not the first time Klement has undertaken a symbolic cycling project connected to Israel. In November 2023, he rode approximately 3,000 kilometers across Europe, creating the shape of a Star of David on a tracking app map.
