“I swore never to be silent
whenever and wherever human beings
endure suffering and humiliation.
We must always take sides.
Neutrality helps the oppressor,
never the victim.
Silence encourages the tormentor,
never the tormented.
Sometimes we must interfere.
When human lives are endangered,
when human dignity is in jeopardy,
national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant.
Wherever men or women
are persecuted because of their race,
religion, or political views,
that place must
– at that moment –
become the center of the universe.”
~ Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 1986

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