Poem is by Martin Niemöller was a German pastor and theologian born in Lippstadt, Germany, in 1892. Niemöller was an anti-Communist and supported Hitler’s rise to power at first. But when Hitler insisted on the supremacy of the state over religion, Niemöller became disillusioned. He became the leader of a group of German clergymen opposed to Hitler. Unlike Niemöller, they gave in to the Nazis’ threats. In 1937 he was arrested and eventually confined in Sachsenhausen and Dachau. His crime was “not being enthusiastic enough about the Nazi movement.” Niemöller was released in 1945 by the Allies.
His statement, sometimes presented as a poem, is well-known, frequently quoted, and is a popular model for describing the dangers of political apathy, as it often begins with specific and targeted fear and hatred which soon escalates out of control.
“First they came for the communists, and
I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me”.
180 px (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
- Still quote of the moment, one more time: Martin Niemöller, “. . . I did not speak out . . .” (timpanogos.wordpress.com)
- Waiting to Speak for your “Kind”? (lizawrites.wordpress.com)
- 20. DAVID ICKE – Knock Knock…Who`s There? YOUR APATHY! (Viewer Discretion Advised) (12160.info)
theLargestDemocracy.wordpress.com
The Largest Democracy 
Let us educate ourselves on the dangers of fundamentalism in India & around the world.
I am a social activist, who firmly believes in a free democracy, and human rights.
Voting was a lot easier under Adolf Hitler (Photo credit: tiexano)
My sole objective is to educate the people around the world, especially India, my birthplace, on the rise of government abuses, such as violation of civil rights & the sharp rise in religious fanaticism and right wing movements such as Shiv Sena, a ultra right wing Hindu group which admires & worships ADOLF HITLER. The Government of India (GOI) has done absolutely nothing to curb this menace for the past 50 years.
India has more than 10,000 Hindu and Muslim right wing groups. Each promoting their own dangerous ideology.
Shiv Sena wants to ban everyone from celebrating Valentine’s Day (February 14th). Since, they cannot convince anyone to follow their stupid ideology or share in their dream of a “Valentine Day Free India” the Shiv Sena took it upon themselves to illegally “policing” the streets, restaurants and bars to enforce their will on the destiny of educated and liberated Indians through acts of violence.
Each of these violent groups work independently and in uni-some to achieve their political goals and objectives through the impetus of fear, intimidation, kidnapping, extortion, rape, murder and so on.
If we as a human race continue to tolerate, dismiss or simply turn a blind eye to these injustices, free democracies such as India will cease to exist as democracies.
The rule of law, freedom of expression, assembly, speech, & religion, among many other freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic will no longer serve as the protector of its citizens.
WE must unite & fight criminals, politicians, & internal enemies of the state who hold positions of power in all three branches of our government.
WE must stand united if we want to secure the future of our country. This task is of paramount importance & I urge every man, woman & child to join me. ~ Thank you
Here’s a poster of Shiv Sena protesting the celebration of Valentine’s Day on February 14.
Sskolkata (11) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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