Who Will be Left to Speak?

“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.”
–Martin Niemöller

In the wake of the violence across our nation, including within our Commonwealth at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill, PANO is speaking out. To be silent would be destructive. When our fellow citizens are threatened and gunned down, we cannot remain silent. When any human life is devalued, genocide is always a possibility and we are all at risk. For any of us to believe that our “group” is safe is to ignore the basic precepts behind racism, bigotry, and hate.

We must stand for a Pennsylvania and United States that celebrates the diversity that makes this nation great and continues to strive for all that such diversity makes possible.

We must speak up for the freedom and dignity of human life.

As a network of nearly 1,000 members, PANO is a thriving community that welcomes diversity of thought, religion, and creed. When we come together, we thrive socially, politically, and economically. We stand for the better that is possible, in Pennsylvania and across our great nation.

Please stand up and speak out for a diverse, inclusive community free of hate and bigotry in all aspects of your personal, professional, and civic life.

If we do not speak out on behalf of each other, no one will be left to speak up for us.