Sophie Scholl
one of the most famous rebels was only 21 when she was killed
After joining the Hitler Youth as a teenager, Hans Scholl co-founded the anti-nazi White Rose movement in Munich in 1942 and his sister, Sophie, soon joined, disseminating leaflets advocating passive resistance. One read “We will not be silent, we are your guilty conscience!” while another condemned the defeat at Stalingrad that had cost 2.2 million German lives.
18 February 1943 would be the day Sophie’s crusade ended. Caught with a suitcase full of pamphlets, she was arrested and spent 17 hours being interrogated. Four days later her trial was held, but it was a sham. Not given a chance to speak, Sophie interrupted the judge. “What we said and wrote are what many people are thinking. They just don’t dare say it out loud!” she yelled. It wouldn’t be enough – she was convicted of treason and sentenced to death by guillotine. But her protest lasted until her last moments as she addressed the crowd, “Such a fine, sunny day, and I have to go. But what does my death matter, if through us thousands of people are awakened and stirred to action?”
“what we said and wrote are what many people are thinking. they just don’t dare say it out loud!”