In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up.
Quotes about unionists (16 Quotes)
All too often miners, and indeed other trade unionists, underestimate the economic strength they have.
If I felt we had alienated the Unionists, it would worry me because we've spent a great deal of time trying to open up discussion and dialogue with the Unionist Parties.
As we take stock of this century of achievement, Ulster Unionists have every reason to feel proud.
From 1918 on, trade unionists were to express from the platforms of their congresses the workers' desire for peace through a rational organization of the world.
If the British government is prepared to say that the Unionists will not have a veto over British government policy and that guns, vetoes and injustices will all be left outside the door, then there is no good reason why talks cannot take place in an appropriate atmosphere.
Thirty to forty thousand people lost their lives in this terrible dirty war. We salute the memory of all those - politicians, social workers, trade unionists, civil society activists and ordinary citizens - who were considered subversive by the military regime and who were said to have disappeared'.
We're happy to have that conversation with people if they come with us on the principle. Interestingly, even among our critics - and I was discussing this with unionists yesterday - they all agree the current situation is actually the wrong place to be. So there's an element of consensus there. The argument is over exactly how we are proceeding. All change is difficult, especially in Northern Ireland.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist.
The unionists also for their part, want to minimise the potential for change, not only on the equality agenda but on the issues of sovereignty and ending the union.
The IRA initiative is clearly a serious attempt to address the suspicions and the fears of those unionists who want to make progress, ... Everyone who wants the peace process to work will welcome this significant development.
We have still not secured any commitment (on IRA disarmament) that would be recognized by unionists. We consider that the guarantees are weak.
lectures about democracy from Unionists.
It means that Unionists who are for the Good Friday Agreement must end their ambivalence, ... And it is a direct challenge to the DUP to decide if they want to put the past behind them and make peace with the rest of the people of this island.
There is skepticism among unionists as the IRA is blamed for the huge Northern Bank robbery last year and the question they are asking is Will that money be used as pensions for old IRA fighters or to buy new arms,
I have opposed the Communist cold war line ever since, both by public utterance and by private help to trade unionists breaking free from the Communist influence.