Admission of guilt without evidence, execution and posthumous glory of Sacco and Vanzetti (8 photos)
Court verdict against two Italian emigrants - Nicola Sacco, 36, and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, 39, were brought to execution 23 August 1927. The men were accused of robbery and murder, the only evidence of crimes was not enough. 
In 1920, two daring robberies were committed in Massachusetts. Robbers attacked cashiers who were carrying salaries to shoe workers factories There were victims - one of them, as well as the accompanying guard.
The above-mentioned male workers fell under suspicion, and their arrested. There was no direct evidence against Sacco and Vanzetti. Witnesses confused in the testimony, wrong in the details. But the detainees are still found guilty. Court verdict - execution in the electric chair confirmed by the governor.
Whites against Italians 
Sacco and Vanzetti
Why was the case so hastily concocted? Before of all, it is a national question. At the beginning of the last century, the inhabitants of the States did not considered Italians as full-fledged people. They were second rate. For a certain time, there was even a law restricting their immigration. due to "racial inferiority".
In fairness, it must be clarified that those who arrived in the United States Italians often created criminal communities, very close-knit, and committed a lot of crimes. The heroes of history never had any friction with the law, and they have already received the citizenship of the country.
You don't have to be a citizen and don't have to. 
But the main reason why the authorities decided to hang on men responsible for the fatal robbery, it is an active Italian citizenship.
A few years earlier under the windows of the New York office of the FBI found the corpse of the Italian anarchist Andrea Salcedo. 38 year old man fell from the 14th floor, and before that he was kept under arrest for two weeks, not allowing you to contact a lawyer.
There was no smell of an accident even for a non-professional. At the very least, suicidal. Sacco and Vanzetti led public committee, which was engaged in the collection of evidence and evidence that Andrea's death was no accident.
The lawyers had a grudge against the anarchists. On the background anti-communist and anti-immigrant philosophy of men was guilty a priori, for Italians and anarchists. All. Plus, Vanzetti was about to give a speech on the eve of his arrest in which it was planned to declare the involvement of the FBI in the death of Salcedo.
Law that drawbar 
Long ears stuck out of the investigation: the authorities simply wanted forever shut up the mouths of public men so as not to disturb society the involvement of representatives of the structure in the death, declared as accident.
The people rose to their defense. Actions were held in many cities Italian support. And not only in the USA. Created a petition for pardon addressed to the governor. Supported by many prominent representatives of science and culture. Even the church in the person of the Pope joined Rimsky.
The Soviet public also joined the campaign, considering the case a vivid example of the oppression of the working class by the bourgeoisie. 
But all in vain. Sitting in the electric chair, the anarchists declared, that they are absolutely pure before the law and forgive everyone. Escort workers to the last way came crowds of people. Long after the execution of the Italians devoted to various works - films, songs, books. 
Frame from the film "Sacco and Vanzetti", Italy, 1971
Only half a century later, the executed were rehabilitated. Then the governor of the state explained this by the bias of the process and insufficient evidence of a crime. 
Were they really guilty? Now no longer know. The process became legendary, a mountain of literature was written about it, but researchers have not come to a consensus. in the USSR in honor of Italians were called streets, plants and factories. Einstein spoke about incident as follows: "The tragedy of Sacco and Vanzetti must remain a non-healing wound you of humanity."
