Act of vandalism in Piazza Palestro, in Catania. The bench dedicated to road victims, inaugurated about two months ago, was damaged. Unknown persons removed the commemorative plaque. This was announced by the association Vittime della Strada e Risvegli Odv: “The white bench dedicated to road victims was damaged in Catania. An act of vandalism hit the symbol against violence on the streets: the plaque was removed. It was supposed to be a symbolic garrison against the road massacre, but the white bench symbolizing the victims on the road located in Piazza Palestro at the Fortino in Catania was damaged. Inaugurated on March 6, 2023 on the initiative of the association Vittime della Strada e Sicilia Risvegli ODV represented by Pietro Crisafulli, unanimously welcomed by the first municipality of the Municipality of Catania, the bench bore a shocking phrase on the plaque: ‘Enough life sentences of pain’ , dedicated to Salvatore and Mimmo Crisafulli and to all the innocent victims killed on the roads”.
“There is great bitterness in learning what happened because even if what is damaged can always be repaired, there remains a great disappointment, a sense of impotence and the inability to understand the reason for such gestures – underlines the president Pietro Crisafulli -. One thing is certain, they are deplorable and those who commit them should be ashamed. There are cameras both in the square and right next to the white bench, I have already asked that the videos be extrapolated to identify the authors of this shameful gesture. That bench is a speed camera, a memory of those who lost their lives in road accidents, a sign of closeness to family members, an invitation to look at life in compliance with the rules and highway code. A sign of attention for that culture of safety that we must all remember when we get behind the wheel, travel along a road on a motorbike, bike or scooter or walk on pavements or along a street. The plaque on the bench summarizes its meaning: No more life sentences of pain, and it is white, because no one seems to see the victims of road violence. It was an invitation to empathize with those who experienced the consequences of this trauma. No more deaths on the roads. The fight against the social scourge of road accidents must concern everyone: having something that reminds us of this drama can serve as a warning and a reflection for all citizens who find themselves passing by and sitting on this bench, which is also in a famous and very busy square in the city. our city. It would be terrible to think that someone isn’t happy with the battle being waged for justice, against lengthy trials and to raise awareness among people, including by involving local administrations to participate in initiatives like the one we are carrying out.”
