Although many fans have been satisfied with the release of Stranger Things Season 4 on Netflix, the new season has members of the Jewish and Rromani communities upset. It appears that the new season makes use of a former Nazi prison for one of its film locations, with the aforementioned communities now attempting to hold Netflix and Stranger Things accountable for Holocaust erasure.
This was noted via Primetimer, where they explained a Change.org petition is circulating in their attempt to get a response from Netflix. The Nazi prison they chose to shoot scenes for Stranger Things 4 is Lukiškės prison in Vilnius, Lithuania. It just so happens that the location is tied to the Ponary Massacre where 100,0000 Jews, Rroma, and political prisoners were killed. If that wasn’t enough, an AirBnB experience is also being held in Lukiškės that features a Stranger Things theme.
The petition includes the following in its description:
“Not only does this mock the shared trauma of the Jewish and Rroma community,” the petition reads. “But it further desecrates the living memories of Holocaust survivors and their descendants.”
“We, Jews and Rroma, call you to sign this petition and hold Stranger Things and Netflix accountable for their Holocaust erasure. Money earned from this season should be put back into the Jewish and Rromani communities of Lithuania as reparations for the damage this season is causing and a public apology from AirBnB, Netflix, and Stranger Things should be issued immediately with a full understanding as to how this adds to the erasure of the victims of the Holocaust and ongoing persecution of Romani communities. We also demand the immediate shutdown of the AirBnB.”
They also believe that the numerical tattoos, such as the one young character Eleven has, are an example of Holocaust erasure. Especially because fans are being inspired to get similar tattoos.
“Fans of Stranger Things are now getting numerical tattoos on their arms because they are inspired by the show, the Stranger Things Instagram has even reposted photos their fans have submitted; thus encouraging their behavior.”
Thus, those who’ve signed the petition are very adamant about their stance:
“We will not be erased,” it states. “The Holocaust is not for the entertainment industry to build wealth off of and turn into theatre. It is our genocide and for Rroma it is ongoing.”
As of this writing, the petition has over 20,000 signatures. It remains to be seen how Netflix intends to react to this situation, or if they will.
The newest season of Stranger Things is currently available on Netflix, with the second volume of episodes scheduled to be released on July 1.