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Silvia Baraldini

Silvia Baraldini is an Italian Nationalist most known for her work as a White Anti-Imperialist. She became active against the war in Vietnam while attending the University of Wisconsin. This work would lead her to focus on exposing the US government’s illegal COINTELPRO program to decimate Black dissent work in solidarity with the militant struggle to liberate Puerto Rico. In the 1970’s, Silvia became involved in militant political activities which would lead to her arrest and a 40 year sentence for Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act charges.

During her incarceration she received unusually harsh treatment in the US federal prison system, including time at Lexington HSU for women. There she suffered medical neglect and psychological torture. The institution was eventually shut down due to a human rights lawsuit filed by the ACLU. After a protracted battle to reduce her security rating, Baraldini was transferred to Danbury, CT. A popular campaign by the Italian people resulted in her transfer to Italy in 1999 to serve the remainder of her sentence. She was released on September 26, 2006.

Documents

The Case of Silvia Baraldini The Case of Silvia Baraldini
Date: 4/16/1991Call Number: PM 267Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Sally O'BrianProgram: Where We LiveCollection: Silvia Baraldini
Silvia Baraldini describes her harsh treatment and that of other U.S. political prisoners. Her attorney, Elizabeth Fink, comments on the lack of evidence presented at trial and the extreme sentencing and punishment of Baraldini at the Lexington Federal Prison. Italian member of Parliament Emma Bonino, and Italian journalist Patricia Lambroso comment on Italian parliamentary and public support for Baraldini.