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The Words of Martin Niemöller

I was planning to write about something completely different, but something happened yesterday that changed my mind. And that was that I attended a political rally. First of all, I want to say that I do not normally attend political rallies. In fact, I'm embarrassed to say I don't even read the newspaper these days because I find the news depressing. The world's problems seem so insurmountable, the politicians untrustworthy.

Then, a couple of weeks ago my husband mentioned in passing a bill that had just been passed in the lower house of the Tasmanian parliament. That same law is now before the upper house, and if passed by them will become law. Under this proposal, the people of Tasmania will no longer have the right to peaceful protest. Protesters will be given a criminal conviction, face exorbitant fines, and if convicted several times, a mandatory prison sentence.

When my husband told me all this, I felt as if I were in a bad dream. I could not believe that such a law could have been proposed, let alone passed in a peaceful, first world democracy. Of course, the law is intended to silence the environmental lobby. But regardless of the target, a law which effectively criminalises all peaceful protest should be fought by everyone who believes in democracy. I could not help but recall the chilling words of Martin Niemöller, who spent seven years in Nazi concentration camps because he publicly opposed the Nazis:

First they came for the Communists,
and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Communist.

Then 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.