Latest news with #MartinNiemöller
Economist
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Economist
Why the left gains nothing from pop stars' support
|4 min read The high priests of speaking out are John Stuart Mill, an English philosopher, and Martin Niemöller, a Lutheran pastor. 'Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends,' Mill warned, 'than that good men should look on and do nothing.' Niemöller famously ventriloquised the many Germans who kept silent when the Nazis 'came for the socialists', the trade unionists and the Jews: 'Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.'
Economist
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Economist
Why Gaza gains nothing from pop stars' support
|4 min read The high priests of speaking out are John Stuart Mill, an English philosopher, and Martin Niemöller, a Lutheran pastor. 'Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends,' Mill warned, 'than that good men should look on and do nothing.' Niemöller famously ventriloquised the many Germans who kept silent when the Nazis 'came for the socialists', the trade unionists and the Jews: 'Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.'
Winnipeg Free Press
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Standing for the promise of Canada
Opinion My first Canada Day was in 1998. As an immigrant from Argentina, I remember vividly walking the grounds of Osborne Village — despite the sea of people dressed in red and white, I was struck by the diversity and peacefulness of the crowd, everyone celebrating together. Twenty-seven years later, as Canada marks its 158th birthday, I reflect on my first experience. And I am reminded of the promise of Canada that drew me and so many others to this country. At the heart of this promise are the values that define us: democracy, justice, equity and respect for all people. That regardless of your background, you can have a good, safe and prosperous life. But these values don't sustain themselves. Around the world, we are witnessing a surge of authoritarianism, disinformation and religious extremism that threatens the democratic institutions we hold sacred. These aren't just distant crises in Europe or the Middle East; they are testing the resilience of our own democracy here at home. The most important thing we can do right now is simple, yet profound: stand for the promise of Canada. Canada's promise is not rooted in uniformity, but in unity through diversity. This country was shaped first and foremost by Indigenous peoples, and later by immigrants and refugees from around the world. They came not only seeking safety, but determined to build something better for themselves, their families and the generations to follow. To honour that promise, we must ensure that every Canadian — no matter what background they come from — can continue to live in safety and dignity, with the freedom to celebrate who they are and the right to pass on their traditions without fear. There is no room in Canada for those who peddle fear, manipulate facts or attempt to divide us through intimidation. It pains me and so many others in our Jewish community and among our allies to see fellow Canadians take to the streets, chanting 'Jews go back to Europe,' and in some cases calling for violence against us. In places like Boulder, Colorado, and Washington D.C., we have seen how violent words lead directly to violent actions. And the numbers here in Canada speak for themselves: while making up less than one per cent of Canada's population, Jews were the targets of 70 per cent of all religiously motivated hate crimes in 2023. We cannot be silent in the face of hate. It is critical that all people in this province and country come together to fight for our values — because we can not take them for granted. As Pastor Martin Niemöller warned in the wake of the Holocaust: 'First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a socialist. … Then they came for me —and there was no one left to speak for me.' These words remain relevant. They remind us that when we protect the rights of others, we protect our own. When we speak out against hate, we defend the Canada we love. In other words, it is not just about the safety of one community that is at stake, it is about the safety of all Canadians and the values we hold dear. This is a time for moral clarity — a time for all Manitobans and Canadians to speak out not just for ourselves, but for each other. A time to reject complacency and choose courage. Let's live our Canadian values not just in words, but through action. Let's raise our voices — not in anger, but with purpose. And let's work together to ensure the promise of Canada endures for future generations. Gustavo Zentner is vice president of the Centre for Jewish and Israel Affairs.
Times
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Times
Unhinged trans activists have shown their true colours
There are two ways of looking at the Supreme Court's judgment in the For Women Scotland case. The first is actually to read it. If you do that, you'll find a thorough and considered ruling that balances the rights of women and the rights of trans people under the Equality Act, while reaffirming throughout that both 'sex' and 'gender reassignment' are protected characteristics in law. The second is to look at the reaction from trans activists and their allies, which is almost entirely unhinged from anything in the judgment itself. On social media, posters paraphrased Martin Niemöller ('First they came for the trans people …') as though this were a new Holocaust. The Good Law Project accused the Supreme Court of ignoring trans voices, while
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Young Democrats: Senate Bill 1 reduces Ohio universities to propaganda machines
Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 1 into law on March 28 − legislation threatening to stifle free speech at Ohio's public universities. Starting June 26, this law will penalize professors and administrators who teach "controversial beliefs or policies." This vague and sweeping bill doesn't clearly define a "controversial belief," leaving professors at risk of punishment for teaching basic facts and engaging in open academic discussions. The bill's lack of specificity isn't a mistake. It's a deliberate effort to control what can be taught at Ohio's universities. By branding broad topics as "controversial," the law forces professors to censor their lessons to avoid legal consequences. This creates an environment where open inquiry and debate are stifled, and students are deprived of a full, nuanced education. More: Senate Bill 1 bans students from learning views other than state-approved ones | Opinion This is not just an abstract concern. History shows us how censorship and control of education can lead to dangerous consequences. The famous poem "First They Came" by Martin Niemöller reminds us how small, incremental attacks on free expression can spiral into widespread repression. Once one topic is deemed off-limits, others follow, and soon, universities are reduced to mere propaganda machines instead of places of critical thought. With SB 1 about to take effect, Ohio's universities risk losing their role as institutions of open dialogue and critical thinking. Students will be deprived of opportunities to engage with diverse ideas, and professors will be forced to teach to a narrow, politically driven agenda. SB 1 is a betrayal of Ohio's students, faculty, and future. This state deserves better. We deserve truth, not censorship and propaganda. Storm Boyd is president of the Hamilton County Young Democrats. He is also the chairman of Equality Cincinnati. Gov. Mike DeWine's signature on Senate Bill 1 didn't just gut higher education, it put lives on the line. This bill forces Ohio's medical schools to censor critical information, leaving future doctors unprepared to save lives. While lawmakers included a loophole allowing medical schools to seek exemptions to keep accreditation, they'll only receive the bare minimum, and even that will be warped by political interference. Young medical students will graduate with dangerous gaps in knowledge. Topics such as vaccine effectiveness, reproductive health, and systemic inequalities will be deemed too "controversial" to teach. Imagine trusting a doctor who wasn't allowed to fully learn about vaccines or a physician who never learned the horrifying history behind how women were excluded from clinical trials from 1977 to 1993, leaving dangerous gaps in how medications affect half the population. We're only now starting to close that gap, but SB 1 will reopen it. As a trained biomedical engineer, I've seen firsthand how when science becomes politicized, it is our most vulnerable who get the most hurt. Science cannot and should not be political. More: I wanted to stay in Ohio for law school, but Senate Bill 1 drove me away | Letters This law doesn't just hurt students − it will cost lives. Future doctors will be forced to practice with incomplete knowledge, and young patients, especially women and those from marginalized communities, will pay the price. Ohio is creating a generation of doctors who will be shackled by politics instead of being led by science. Young people deserve better. We deserve doctors and scientists who are taught to save lives, not trained to walk on eggshells. Senate Bill 1 is a disaster, and Ohio cannot afford the consequences. Laalitya Acharya lives in Mason and is the president of Warren County Young Democrats. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Senate Bill 1 is a betrayal of Ohio's students and faculty | Opinion
