"I AM SUFFERING BECAUSE I AM RADICAL & ITALIAN"

SECURITY STEPPED UP DUE TO RUMORS OF SACCO-VANZETTI DEMONSTRATIONS

Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On October 29, 1921, "extra guards were on duty...at several public buildings here in the city."  Precautionary steps were taken by officials "because of rumors of possible demonstrations connected with the Sacco-Vanzetti* case."

Most entrances to the Federal building were closed during the evening hours and twice the normal number of watchmen were deployed.  The County Court House and State House were both under close guard.

*Nicola Sacco (1891-1927) & Bartolomeo Vanzetti (1888-1927) were Italian immigrants found guilty on July 14 1921 of murdering a guard & paymaster during an armed robbery in Braintree, MA (4-15-20).

They were executed in 1927 but in his final statement before the judge, Vanzetti said..."I am suffering because I am a radical...I have suffered because I am Italian."   

S&V are considered victims of anti-immigrant & anti-anarchist bias.   In 1977, the Gov of MA issued a proclamation stating they had been tried unfairly.

SOURCE

"Extra Guards Put On In Boston," The Evening World, Final Edition, New York City, October 29, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

Bartolomeo Vanzetti & Nicola Sacco

Boston Public Library Photo (1923)

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"ANTI-IMMIGRANT/ANARCHIST BIAS INFLUENCED VERDICT?"

SACCO & VANZETTI INDICTED FOR 1ST DEGREE MURDER 

Braintree, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On September 11, 1920, a Norfolk County grand jury indicted Nicola Sacco* and Bartolomeo Vanzetti** for a South Braintree payroll robbery in which two guards were killed.  The trial of Sacco & Vanzetti began in the Dedham Courthouse on May 31, 1921.

The robbery occurred on the evening of April 15, 1920 at the Slater & Morrill Shoe Factory in South Braintree.  The guards carried $15,776.51 in cash when they were shot multiple times by two gunmen.  The shooters made their escape in an automobile.

Authorities determined political radicals were responsible.  Sacco & Vanzetti were arrested on May 5, 1920.  Both men were armed at the time of their arrests.

A jury convicted Sacco & Vanzetti of 1st degree murder on July 14, 1921.  They were sentenced to death.  Anti-immigrant and anti-anarchist bias have been suspected as influencing the verdict.

*Nicola Sacco (1891-1927) was born in Southern Italy & arrived in the U.S. in 1908.  He worked as a skilled craftsman at several shoe factories.

**Bartolomeo Vanzetti (1888-1927) was born in Northern Italy & arrived in the U.S. in 1908.  He held a series of menial jobs in NY, Connecticut & Massachusetts.  BV worked as a fish peddler in Plymouth, MA.

SOURCE

"The Case of Sacco and Vanzetti,":  www.mass.gov/   

 

Bartolomeo Vanzetti & Nicola Sacco

Boston Public Library (1923)

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