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Solidarity with Domenico ‘Mimmo’ Lucano

13. October 2021
News

At the end of September 2021, the former mayor of Riace, Domenico ‘Mimmo’ Lucano, was sentenced in first instance to 13 years and 2 months imprisonment for, among other things, “aiding and abetting illegal immigration”. Riace, a small town in southern Italy has long been considered a safe haven and an example of an open community.

The verdict further highlights the isolation Europe so desperately wants to advance. The increasing criminalization of migration, a phenomenon that is as old as humans themselves, is currently exploding and is causing innocent people to experience the most brutal repression.

In a speech in Rome on 07 October, Lucano stressed:

There are the transcripts of the trial, to a question asked not only once: “but did this mayor have economic interests?” the colonel says “no, he has no economic interests”, a question that was repeated … “no he has no economic interests, he has political interests”, as if taking an interest in politics is a criminal fact.

Domenico ‘Mimmo’ Lucano

The defense filed a direct appeal against the sentence, while an enormous wave of solidarity reached the streets of Europe. Not only in Italy, many people took to the streets to show solidarity with ‘Mimmo’ Lucano and fight for his innocence.


What has been done so far?

Here is a list of all past and present protests in Italy. Now, we invite you to organize your own demonstration, protest or solidarity action in your city!

The Left MEPs have also written an Open Letter in which they stand in solidarity alongside ‘Mimmo’ Lucano and condem the exaggerated guilty verdict.

Swiss members of the National Council co-signed this letter from the Left MEPs.

From the civil society, Abolish Frontex has published an Open Letter, which individual groups or organizations are invited to sign.

If you still want to do contribute with your voice, there is this online petition that expresses it’s solidarity with Lucano and condemns the verdict.