A Forceful Wind of Memory and Justice: Trapani Commemorates Victims of the Mafia

 A powerful wind laden with memories and justice swept through Trapani yesterday, as fifty thousand people marched in the 30th Day of Remembrance and Commitment to honor the innocent victims of the mafia. The event, organized by the association Libera and Avviso Pubblico, brought together over 500 family members of victims from all over Italy and abroad, creating a moment of collective reflection and condemnation of organized crime.

Institutions and Iconic Figures in the Fight Against the Mafia

The procession saw the participation of students and citizens, alongside significant institutional and political figures. Among them were Elly Schlein, the secretary of the Democratic Party; Maurizio Landini, the general secretary of CGIL; Daniela Lupo, the prefect of Trapani; and Antonello Cracolici, the president of the Regional Anti-Mafia Commission. The presence of former national anti-mafia prosecutors Pietro Grasso and Federico Cafiero De Raho underscored a commitment that must remain steadfast.

Don Luigi Ciotti's Call to Action: "We Must Act Every Day"

Leading the procession along the coast to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele was Don Luigi Ciotti, founder of Libera, who passionately declared, “Today is both a day of remembrance and of action to fight against the rhetoric of memory. True memory must become responsibility, every day. It is not enough to remember; we must act.” He also highlighted an ongoing issue in the mafia fight: "80% of the victims' families do not know the truth, or only know a part of it. Truths walk our streets; there are those who know. We appeal: speak up.”

Reading the Names of the Innocent Victims

One of the day's most poignant moments was the reading of the names of the 1,101 innocent mafia victims, a list that grows each year. The first Day of Remembrance in 1996 featured about 300 names; today, the count exceeds a thousand. This list includes magistrates, journalists, law enforcement members, priests, businessmen, unionists, and ordinary citizens who lost their lives for fulfilling their duties with integrity and honesty. This year, 20 new names were added, including 11 women and 5 minors. Some stories date back to the '80s and '90s, while others are more recent, demonstrating that mafia violence is still a stark reality in some regions.

The Involvement of the Youth: "We Must Rebel"

A significant aspect of the event was the overwhelming participation of students. Hundreds of schools from across Sicily joined the march, bearing signs and banners with clear messages: "The mafia kills, silence too," "Let's rebel," "You won't stop us." Martina Lembo Fazio, anti-mafia delegate of the Student Union, stated, “Today we are here not only to remember those who have fallen at the hands of the mafia but to assert forcefully that the problem of organized crime is far from over. Mafias continue to afflict our lands, evolving and changing faces, yet remaining a tangible threat to our society.” Simone Cigliano from the Network of Knowledge added, "Today, as the Student Union, Link University Coordination, and Network of Knowledge, we take to the streets with the slogan 'We must rebel!' because we cannot remain passive in the face of the mafia. Organized crime has evolved over time: it may no longer be as visible, but that does not mean it has disappeared."

The Role of Politics: Prevention and Social Justice

Not just civil society and students—over 100 schools from across Sicily—but also politics and institutions were present. Also in attendance were Leoluca Orlando, former mayor of Palermo; Daniela Lupo, prefect of Trapani; Antonello Cracolici, president of the Regional Anti-Mafia Commission; and the bishops of Trapani, Mazara del Vallo, Agrigento, and Monreale.

Schlein, speaking to the press, conveyed a clear message: "Politics must do more on the prevention front. Instead of limiting wiretaps, allowing cascade subcontracting, or raising the cash threshold, we need to do exactly the opposite. We must raise the level of vigilance in politics and the economy."

Voices from the March: Don Ciotti, Inguì, Landini, and Margherita Asta

Maurizio Landini reiterated that the fight against the mafia is through work, social justice, and education. Margherita Asta, who lost her mother and two siblings in the Pizzolungo massacre, reminded everyone, "Truth has a price, but silence costs even more."

A Continued Fight Against the Mafia

The 30th Day of Remembrance and Commitment in Trapani sent a strong and clear message: the fight against the mafia is not over. Memory should not be ritualistic but an everyday commitment. Asta's words serve as a reminder for everyone: never cease to demand truth and justice, never lower our guard against mafias and corruption, for only then can we build a truly free and fair future.