Pastor's words echo after Trump remarks

In response to Donald J. Trump's recent declaration for an outright ban on Muslim's entering the United States, I find it critical to share with your readers a famous quotation from Martin Niemoller, a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps:

"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."

Wayne Bartosik

Wheaton