First they came for those who spoke out against the covid vaccination. They wouldn’t let them travel overseas.
They wouldn’t let small groups of them gather for Easter in open areas.
And I did not speak out
Because I was someone who believed the vaccination would protect me and my family from a horrible death
Easter wasn’t worth the risk
Then they came for those who believed that “All Lives Matter”
And I did not speak out
Because I did not belong to the Krewe of Nyx
Then they came for those who said that January 6, 2021, was not an insurrection
And I did not speak out
Because I did not go to Washington DC on January 6, 2021 and I believed that the election had the correct result
Then they came for those who support the Second Amendment such that they themselves want the right to own an MK-15 or an AK-15 or a Glock or a Colt or a Winchester
And I did not speak out
Because I do not own a gun. I don’t even hunt
Then they came for the folks who support Israel’s right to defend itself because they fear Israel is harming Gazans disproportionately and that Israel hasn’t done enough to solve the problem with Palestinians
And I did not speak out
Because I believe that women and children should not be killed by the Israeli military
Then they opened the borders and allowed unfettered immigration into the USA
And I did not speak out
Because it is kind to allow everyone to access the greatness of America
Besides, our ancestors displaced the Native Americans
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me.
This poem is written in the style of Martin Niemöller’s First They Came. It is dedicated to Rebecca Burke who was detained by ICE in Washington State in early 2025 for 19 days. Burke has since been released and has returned to the UK.
Jett Black, LCSW is a psychotherapist living and working in New Orleans, Louisiana.