Photo By Janine Scianna | SIGOENLLA, Sicily (Nov. 25, 2019) Tony Ruperto, a Sicilian business owner, showcases...... read more read more
Being a little off the beaten path compared to mainland Italy, few have visited Sicily before being stationed here. Perhaps your only exposure to Sicilian culture was watching “The Godfather” or other mobster movies. With little other pop culture that depicts Sicily, it’s hard not to associate the mafia with it.
Upon arriving, we learn quickly that Sicily is actually very different from the stereotype—its people are overtly friendly, its orange and olive groves plentiful, and its history rich and fascinating. But it’s hard not to secretly wonder: is the mafia still alive in Sicily? And do I have anything to worry about?
The mafia has deep roots in Sicilian history. Its current form originated after the unification of Italy in 1861, when Sicily was annexed to be part of the new kingdom. Noblemen, who previously owned most of Sicilian land, turned over ownership to private farmers and allowed them to self-govern. Without real law enforcement, the environment was ripe for collusion and led to the development of organized crime.
After World War I, Sicily’s economy was extremely depressed and many of its people emigrated to other countries. The lack of a healthy state created a vacuum for further rise in organized crime. Over time, activity spread from the countryside to cities (primarily Palermo), and from agriculture to all economic sectors. In particular, the huge demand for construction after World War II clinched the mafia’s hold over almost all aspects of the economy. There was no violence, simply because the mafia controlled everything. Without resistance, there was no need for aggression.
But in the 80s, everything changed. Once totally subverted by mafiosos, some members of the judicial system began to combat organized crime. Among the first, Rocco Chinnici created the Antimafia Pool of investigative judges who worked together to share information and develop strategies to investigate and prosecute mafiosos. Unsurprisingly, Chinnici was assassinated by the mafia in 1983 for his bold efforts.
Judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino continued the efforts of Chinnici, including making being an accomplice to mafia crimes illegal activity itself. Their efforts led to the conviction of 338 mafia bosses in December 1987 after the famous Maxi Trial. Subsequent appeals were aggressively fought by Falcone and Borsellino. Again showing its strength via violence, the mafia killed both judges in separate bombings in 1992. The media coverage of their assassinations was a formative and poignant memory for many Sicilians.
“[Falcone and Borsellino] were two symbols of the fight against the mob,” said Nicola Grassi, president of the anti-mafia grassroots organization Associazione Antiestorsione Catanese Onlus – Libero Grassi (ASAEC). “It was a turning point in public opinion towards the mafia. There was a very strong anti-mob sentiment afterwards.”
As part of the legislative response, an existing article of Italian law known as “41-bis” was modified to reduce communications between imprisoned mafiosos and outside associates, weakening the chain of command. The cumulative effects of the Antimafia Pool’s efforts essentially forced the mob back underground, operating in stealth with few acts of violence.
Yet, as Grassi attests, the mafia is still a pervasive part of Sicily. There continue to be corrupt politicians who allow state infiltration of mafiosos. Today, the mafia has a firm grip on the drug trafficking and construction industries. It also collects the “pizzo,” which is a forced protection “tax” levied against Sicilian business owners. Owners can choose to pay it and avoid trouble, or refuse and risk damage to their business or property. Luckily, no business owner who has reported pizzo demands to the police has ever been retaliated against. Still, Grassi estimates that 70% of business owners pay the pizzo.
Several grassroots organizations like the ASAEC have formed to help business owners fight against the mafia’s demands. ASAEC was formed in 1991 after a business owner, Libero Grassi, was killed by the mafia for refusing to pay the pizzo. The ASAEC serves as a liaison to help owners report mafia demands and litigate against them in court, and also acts as a safe haven and listening ear for those fearing mafia retaliation. With state funding, it can also assist with legal expenses.
Today, Grassi says that the mafia is winning the public relations battle. People do not see violence and think that mafia activity is subsiding. That is not the case, he warns. This perception enables the mafia to quietly continue its exploits. But for Sigonella personnel and families, there is no specific concern; the mafia focuses solely on Sicilian-owned businesses.
Tony Ruperto, a pizza restaurant owner in Catania and a beneficiary of the ASAEC’s efforts, encourages Americans to be conscious of what businesses they patronize.
“The customer has the power to choose,” said Ruperto. “If you see a big, beautiful business, ask yourself ‘Where does that business get its large profits?’”
He advises that to create a better chance of supporting businesses that don’t comply with mafia demands, like his, try to go to smaller businesses and look for a special sticker advertising that they refuse to pay the pizzo.
Ruperto also wants Americans to know that despite the stereotypes depicted by movies like “The Godfather,” most Sicilians are just normal people living their lives.
“Our country does have some problems. But it’s a beautiful place with beautiful people,” said Ruperto.
| Date Taken: | 12.20.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 12.27.2019 05:21 |
| Story ID: | 357245 |
| Location: | SIGONELLA, IT |
| Web Views: | 1,548 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Today’s Modern Mafia, by Janine Scianna, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT