Maria Silva Cruz (1915 - 1936)

Mon Apr 20, 1936

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Image: Maria Silva Cruz, also known as La Libertaria

Maria Silva Cruz, born on this day in 1915, was a Spanish anarchist and hero of the Casas Viejas Uprising, executed by fascists at age 21. Despite the efforts of her son, who was 1 year old at the time her death, Cruz’s remains were never identified.

Maria Silva Cruz was born to day laborers on April 20th, 1915, and her father and uncle were members of the anarchist union Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT).

In January 1933, the CNT initiated the anti-government Casas Viejas Uprising, which Silva Cruz and her friends participated in. When Civil Guard troops were sent to put down the uprising, many of the villagers fled.

Some anarchists attempted to hide in the house of Silva Cruz’s grandfather, which was set on fire by the guard, killing all but Cruz and her young cousin, who she carried outside the burning building to safety. Cruz was later arrested.

When the fascists occupied the town of Ronda in July 1936, her husband Perez Cordon fled to the mountains, while Silva Cruz stayed with her one year old son at home. She was arrested by the Civil Guard and her son was taken from her.

On August 23rd, 1936, she was executed at dawn. Silva Cruz’s remains were never identified despite the efforts of her son, who grew up with Silva Cruz’s aunt. He sought to find his mother’s remains in order to bury them and plant flowers for her.