Quotes by Nicholas Klein

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“ First they ignore you. Then they ridicule you. And then they attack you and want to burn you. And then they build monuments to you. “
-Nicholas Klein-

First they ignore you. Then they ridicule you. And then they attack you and want to burn you. And then they build monuments to you.

Introducing Nicholas Klein

Nicholas Klein (1884–1951) was an American labor union advocate, and attorney who is best known for his speech to the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America in 1918.
Klein was born in Cincinnati, became an orphan at 16 and started his career as a European reporter for the magazine of Los Angeles socialist Gaylord Wilshire in 1904. He wrote for the Hobo News later.
In 1907, Nicholas Klein ran in Ohio's 2nd congressional district as a third-party candidate for US House of Representatives from Socialist Party of America but lost to Republican incumbent Herman P. Goebel. He became an attorney after graduating from Nashville YMCA Night Law School in 1910, and worked as an adviser for James Eads How. In 1920s he was affiliated with Universal Negro Improvement Association and provided legal counsel to Marcus Garvey before his deportation in 1927. In 1935, he was elected to Cincinnati City Council, serving three terms later. During his last term in 1940–1941, he served as Vice Mayor of the city.
Klein married Eva Chassin in June 1916 and had two daughters, who were named Peace and Liberty. They lived in Bond Hill. He was a Free Mason.