Stern survived two ghettos and nine concentration camps. He says no one stood up for the Jews of Europe, and that Americans today must unite against racism.

"It affects every one of us," said Stern. "Not only us Jews, but Muslims, blacks, Mexicans and different nationalities."

In the late '70s, Stern organized marches against neo-Nazis in Skokie, Illinois. In Berkeley Sunday, he told the crowd he believes he survived so he could continue to speak up against hatred.

"Today you proved that we stand together against the threat of racism, Nazism," said Stern.

Stern added that he felt hopeful, seeing the crowd's outpouring of support.