They came for the Muslims, and I Didn't Speak Up
January 4, 2003.

By Stephen Rohde
Forum Column (from the Daily Journal)
(Author's Note: The USA Patriot Act became law a little over one year ago.)
(Editor's Note: This New Year let us remember freedom in America as it was and think about what the loss of that freedom means to us all. We, each and everyone of us, have a duty to America to speak up whenever and where ever our Freedom is taken or diminished.)

First they came for the Muslims, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Muslim.

Then they came for the immigrants, detaining them indefinitely solely on the certification of the attorney general, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't an immigrant.

Then they came to eavesdrop on suspects consulting with their attorneys, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a suspect.

Then they came to prosecute non citizens before secret military commissions, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a non-citizen

Then they came to enter homes and offices for unannounced, sneak and peak searches, and I didn't speak up because I had nothing to hide.

Then they came to reinstate Cointelpro and resume the infiltration and surveillance of domestic religious and political groups, and I didn't speak up because I no longer participated in any groups.

Then they came to arrest American citizens and hold them indefinitely without any charges and without access to lawyers, and I didn't speak up because I would never be arrested.

Then they came to institute TIPS Terrorism Information and Prevention System recruiting citizens to spy on other citizens and I didn't speak up because I was afraid.

Then they came for anyone who objected to government policy because it only aided the terrorists and gave ammunition to America's enemies, and I didn't speak up because I didn't speak up.

Then they came for me, and by that time, no one was left to speak up.