Gimme your interpretation of this quote...?

Question

"In Germany they first came 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."

- Rev. Martin Niemoller

Answer 1

It means he didn't stand up for and defend his fellow humans when they needed him so they took them away. Now that he needs someone to help him there isn't anyone left.

Answer 2

Just because something is not happening to you, you still have an obligation.  

If you allow the government to infringe on rights that are unimportant to you, the day will come when a right that you consider important will be challenged and you may be the only one to whom that right is important.

An example would be a man's statement in a National Rifle Association publication.  He commented that if the Second Amendment was interpreted as the First Amendment is interpreted anyone not owning a gun would be in prison.

Answer 3

the basic idea of it is that if u don't fight injustice when it happens to someone else then they wont fight it when it happens to you...if u don't help anyone  they wont help u when the time comes that u need help