Tens of Thousands March in Rome to Remember Mafia Victims
On the first day of spring, 21 March, hundreds of victim’s families and tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Rome to remember the thousands of people killed by the mafia in Italy and demand justice. The “Day of Remembrance and Commitment for Innocent Victims of Mafia” was organized by the non-profit organization Libera, with victims including ordinary citizens, judges, journalists, police officers, priests, and politicians.
Since 1861, 1081 people have been killed by the mafia, with corruption being a key tool used by these criminal organizations. The event saw groups of students and teachers from all over Italy joining the demonstration and carrying anti-mafia slogans. Politicians, including the mayors of Rome and Bari, also participated in the march.
The procession, known as “Roma città libera,” saw participants marching from Piazza Esquilino to Circus Maximus, where the names of all 1081 innocent victims were read out. The event, in its 29th edition, was brought to a close by Father Luigi Ciotti, the founder of Libera.
Italy has a long history of mafia groups, with prominent ones like Cosa Nostra, ‘Ndrangheta, and Camorra heavily involved in drug trafficking, waste disposal, and construction. In 2023, these groups generated an estimated profit of €40 billion, equivalent to 2% of the Italian GDP. The annual commemoration serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of organized crime on Italian society.
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