2010 Boston City Council Resolution Regarding Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti Commemoration Day

City of Boston
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CITY COUNCIL

Resolution Regarding Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti Commemoration Day

Offered By Chuck Turner

Whereas, On August 23, 1927, Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were executed after being found guilty for the murder of Alessandro Berardelli and Frederic Parmenter by a clearly prejudiced and biased judge of the Commonwealth; and

Whereas, Sacco and Vanzetti were outspoken critics of the federal government, self-professed anarchists, and many historians and others have contended that the Sacco and Vanzetti prosecution, trial, and death sentence displayed a lack of respect for political civil liberties and the right to dissent; and

Whereas, Some critics have alleged that the conviction and execution of Sacco and Vanzetti, who were first-generation Italian immigrants, were at least partially influenced by racism, anti-Italian prejudice, and discrimination against immigrants in the United States; and

Whereas, On August 23, 1977, Governor Michael Dukakis issued a proclamation acknowledging the fiftieth anniversary of the execution of Sacco and Vanzetti and asking everyone to "resolve to prevent the forces of intolerance, fear, and hatred from ever again uniting to overcome the rationality, wisdom and fairness to which our legal system aspires"; and

Whereas, These historical events are an integral part of the history of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and constitute a nefarious precedent that we must strive not to repeat; and

Whereas, On August 23, 2010, the Sacco and Vanzetti Commemoration Society is holding a gathering at Copley Square, and a march to the North End ending with a rally there. Therefore be it

Resolved, That the Boston City Council herein assembled extends its admiration and congratulations to the Sacco and Vanzetti Commemoration Society, and in honor of its many contributions does hereby declare August 23, 2010 Sacco and Vanzetti Commemoration Day in the City of Boston. This resolution be duly signed by the President of the City Council and be made part of the Official City Record, attested to, and a copy, thereof, transmitted to the Clerk of the City of Boston.

By Michael P. Ross President of the City Council

Attest: Rosaria Salerno Clerk of the City of Boston

Offered By: Chuck Turner

Date: August 4, 2010