On August 22, 1927, Sacco and Vanzetti were legally murdered by the State of Massachusetts.  The tragedy of their untimely and cruel death is still an open wound in the hearts of many of us who remember them as shining spirits, as truly great men such as only the lowly of the earth can produce.

We of the International Labor Defense call upon all the progressive people in America today to help us honor their memories by helping us fight the reaction, the bigotry, which brought about their death, by helping us defend and protect the victims of the present and the future.

During the fifty years that have passed since 1887 the toll of victims has grown.  But though the road is red with the blood of these martyrs, the triumphant march of labor towards progress and democracy has not been halted.  The example of steadfastness which they have set up before us has strengthened us in our determination to carry on the fight in which they lost their lives.  On this anniversary, we give our pledge.  It shall be done.  Reaction, fascism and the terror which it brings in its path shall not pass.