The Mayor of Cosenza, Franz Caruso, signed the “Limbadi Pact” at Palazzo dei Bruzi
The “Limbadi Pact” is a symbolic document in 14 points, promoted by Don Ennio Stamile, the priest, former regional representative of Libera, who has undertaken a real battle for legality against the excessive power of the ‘ndrangheta and which has as its point of reference the municipality of Limbadi, in the Vibo hinterland, where, on some assets confiscated from organized crime, the “Rossella Casini” University of Research, Memory and Commitment was founded, named after a murdered student from the ‘Ndrangheta in 1981. Don Ennio Stamile found himself in the representation hall of the Municipality of Cosenza, with the Mayor Franz Caruso for the signing of the pact, in the presence also of the Archbishop of Cosenza-Bisignano, Monsignor Giovanni Checchinato and others administrators. The Limbadi Pact has so far attracted 140 members, but the number is destined to grow.
Mayor Franz Caruso recalled the relationship of ancient friendship and esteem with Don Stamile, dating back to the time in which, as provincial secretary of the PSI, they undertook together, with their heads held high and with courage, a shared battle in a particularly at-risk area. “One more reason – underlined Franz Caruso – why I had no hesitation about signing the pact, both for his authoritative figure and for the commitment he has made in this direction. I was very happy – he continued – to be able to join and promote, also towards other fellow mayors, this initiative which I consider absolutely important in this particular moment in which there seems to be a bit of weakening in the fight against organized crime which , however, maintains the characteristics of pervasiveness in our territory and which has also taken on aspects that are not easily identifiable due to its ability to hide and the permeability of figures who in the past could not be attacked in any way”. Franz Caruso considers the lack of job opportunities in the area one of the causes of the recruitment of young people, also due to the spread of wrong stereotypes, as laborers for organized crime. “We must assume, especially as administrators of our communities, whether small or large, the awareness that it is necessary to create a barrier to organized crime and we must do so by taking courageous positions. None of us are called to be heroes, but we must believe in the possibility of redeeming our land.” And occasions such as the Limbadi pact, according to Franz Caruso, are “also useful for sending the message that Calabria is absolutely not the ‘Ndrangheta, a minority party that we want to counter. We know that it is not easy – says the Mayor of Cosenza – but if we all together show solidarity in rejecting this dangerous presence, I believe that we will be able to send a positive message to the outside world. We must do this by standing alongside the entrepreneurs, the citizens who have the courage to report.” And in this regard Franz Caruso also recalled the memorandum of understanding recently signed between the Municipality of Cosenza and the Anti-racket and Anti-usury Association “Lucio Ferrami”, aimed at implementing a series of actions, projects and interventions, aimed at prevent and combat the phenomena of extortion and usury in the area. “Today, with the accession to the Limbadi pact – a further step forward is taken. We subscribe to the 14 points of which it is made up as political will, even if we cannot respect all of them due to technical-administrative issues”. A final message is that of the closeness that the Mayor addressed to those who have the courage to report. “A closeness that can be demonstrated – he said – with the constitution of a civil party in the trials. If all of us mayors manage to do this, we will send a strong message against organized crime. We are here and we do our part, also standing alongside the associations that were born in memory of the people who paid with their lives for their no to extortion and usury”. Words of appreciation were addressed to the Church, represented by Archbishop Checchinato. “I appreciate the work he carries out in our territory, with the support and help given to those in need and with the actions and battles that do not have to distribute hero licenses, but are battles of civilization and progress”.
Don Ennio Stamile in his speech, thanking the Mayor Franz Caruso for adhering to the pact, recalled how Limbadi was one of the first Calabrian municipalities to have been dissolved due to mafia infiltration. It was the President of the Republic Sandro Pertini who dissolved it, even before the 1991 law. “Unfortunately Calabria has many sad records and among these a large number of municipalities dissolved due to mafia infiltration and the largest number of anti-mafia interdictions. However – added Don Stamile – there are signs of rebirth and they come from the municipal administrations. According to data released by ANCI, 51 administrators have recently suffered attacks or threats. Data that makes us understand how important it is to sign and spread this pact.”
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