"Pago chi non paga" (I pay those who don't pay) is an innovative app developed by Addiopizzo, which will be launched on January 10th in Palermo. This tool aims to support merchants and entrepreneurs who refuse to succumb to mafia extortion by guiding citizens towards critical and supportive consumption. Created with funds from the 8×1000 of the Tavola Valdese, the app employs geolocation to indicate businesses within the Addiopizzo network, searchable by product category or neighborhood, informing users about establishments that do not pay protection money.
Launch Day Events The app's launch will occur in two parts. The morning session will take place at the Addiopizzo headquarters on via Lincoln 131, with students from the Vittorio Emanuele III Technical Institute and notable institutional figures in attendance, including Massimo Mariani, the Prefect of Palermo; Francesca Mazzocco, a magistrate from the District Anti-Mafia Directorate; and Maria Grazia Nicolò, the National Anti-Racket Commissioner. Contributions will also come from Marco Romano, director of the Giornale di Sicilia, and Alice and Davide Grassi, children of Libero Grassi, the brave entrepreneur who, 34 years ago, publicly denounced his extortionists.
The evening event will be held at "Dolce Rosso Pizza" in Capaci, a business that has previously reported extortion attempts with the support of Addiopizzo. This event will offer an opportunity for critical consumption and to support those who have courageously stood up against the racket.
A Guide for Critical Consumption The "Pago chi non paga" app, available for iOS and Android devices, is a significant advancement in the fight against extortion. By using geolocation, it helps identify member businesses of the Addiopizzo network, strengthening the solidarity network around those who choose not to pay extortion money. It's a tool designed to turn everyday purchases into a concrete gesture of support, helping to combat illegality.
Evolving Context Over the past two decades, hundreds of entrepreneurs in Palermo have denounced extortion demands by Cosa Nostra. However, organized crime continues to thrive in impoverished and degraded suburbs, where the mafia often serves as a "social shock absorber."
Addiopizzo emphasizes that while the efforts of magistrates and law enforcement are crucial, they are not sufficient. Political commitment is needed to address areas of marginality, ensuring essential rights like housing, employment, education, and health. Only then can a real alternative to mafia logic be established.
Libero Grassi's Legacy On January 10, 1991, Libero Grassi published his famous letter to the "Dear Extortionist" in the Giornale di Sicilia, breaking the silence on the racket. Thirty-four years later, Addiopizzo's app represents an evolution of that same fight, providing citizens with a tool to actively participate in change and support those fighting illegality. This is a tangible way to honor the courage of those who have said no to the pizzo, often at the cost of their own lives.
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