Maria Zanini

Maria Zanini, also known as Maria Milanaccio, born on 23 June 1865, in Turin and dead after 1894, was an Italian seamstress, cook, and anarchist militant. She is best known for her actions during the rise of illegalism, where she associated with other illegalists, forming the Ortiz Gang with them.

After moving to France and settling in Paris, she became involved in the capital's illegalist circles and likely served as a fence for her gang, the Ortiz Gang, named after Léon Ortiz. Arrested, Zanini was put on trial during the Trial of the Thirty, a political trial targeting leading figures of anarchism in France. Zanini was ultimately acquitted but expelled from France in 1894.

Biography

Youth and illegalism Maria Zanini was born on 23 June 1865, in Turin. She was the daughter of Antonio Zanini and Paolina Bourgnio. She started working as a cook and seamstress Zanini was likely responsible for fencing stolen goods for the gang.

By October 1893, Zanini moved to 1st Boulevard Brune, which served as the hideout for the gang's stolen loot and where several members resided. Knows nothing, and doesn't even see the faces of the people who stay at her place.According to Jean Grave, who was himself acquitted at the trial, the gang members reportedly quarreled amongst themselves, attempting to shift blame for the burglaries onto former friends, some of whom even testified against them. This exhibition was critical of Donald Trump and the U.S. carceral system.