“First they came for the Jews

“First they came for the Jews

and I did not speak out

because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the communists

and I did not speak out –

because I was not a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists

and I did not speak out –

because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for me

and there was no one left

to speak out for me.”

Martin Niemoller

Lutheran Pastor 1937.

The poem over is attributed to Lutheran Pastor Martin Niemoller.  He was arrested in 1937 for his anti – nazi activities and spent seven years in concentration camps.  He later regretted that he was silent on the persecution of the Jews and had only spoken out for Jews who had converted to Christianity.

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