- Ominous Sequel to USA Patriot Act

[Guest guest]

Then They Came for Me

by

Stephen F. Rohde, Esq.

 

First they came for the Muslims, and I didn't speak

> up because I wasn't a Muslim.

>

> Then they came to detain immigrants indefinitely

> solely upon 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 peek " 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 had stopped participating in any groups.

>

> Then they came for anyone who objected to

> government policy because it 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.

>

> Stephen Rohde, a constitutional lawyer and President

> of the ACLU of Southern California, is indebted to the

> inspiration of Rev. Martin Niemoller (1937).

>