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  • When Hitler came for the Jews... I was not a Jew, therefore, I was not concerned. And when Hitler attacked the Catholics, I was not a Catholic, and therefore, I was not concerned. And when Hitler attacked the unions and the industrialists, I was not a member of the unions and I was not concerned. Then, Hitler attacked me and the Protestant church - and there was nobody left to be concerned.

    Attributed in Congressional Record, 14 Oct. 1968. This is usually quoted in a form such as "In Germany, they came first for the Communists and I didn't speak up because I was not a Communist," etc. Different versions have different lists of groups who were attacked. The quotation has never actually been found in Niemoller's speeches or sermons, although the general idea is found in remarks of his from 1946, in which he referred to Communists, disabled people, Jews, and Jehovah'sWitnesses; he doe