First they came for the Socialists, and I did not By Martin Niemoeller 1950 First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

First they came for the Socialists, and HE did not By Martin Niemoeller 1950 First they came for the Socialists, and HE did not speak out—Because HE was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and HE did not speak out—Because HE was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and HE did not speak out— Because HE was not a Jew. Then they came for HIM—and there was no one left to speak for HIM.

First They Came… First They Came… By Martin Niemoeller 1950 First they came for the Socialists, and HE did not speak out—Because HE was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and HE did not speak out—Because HE was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and HE did not speak out— Because HE was not a Jew. Then they came for HIM—and there was no one left to speak for HIM. First They Came… By Martin Niemoeller 1950 First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

“I’m tired of remembering,” I said to my mother as I climbed into the car. I was flushed with April sun and my mouth felt sticky from jelly beans and Easter candy.