It was supposed to be a symbolic garrison against the road massacre, but the white bench symbol of the victims on the street located in Piazza Palestro at the Fortino in Catania, was damaged. Inaugurated on 6 March 2023 on the initiative of the Road Victims and Sicilia Risvegli association, represented by Pietro Crisafulliwelcomed unanimously by the first municipality of the municipality of Catania, the bench bore a shocking phrase on the plaque: “No more life sentences of pain“, dedicated to Salvatore and Mimmo Crisafulli and to all the innocent victims killed on the roads. That plaque has been removed.
“The bitterness of learning what happened is great – he said Pietro Crisafullipresident of Vittime Strada and Sicilia Risvegli, Mimmo’s father as well as director of the film La Voce Nello Occhi dedicated to his brother Salvatore, both road victims – 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. 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 – continued Crisafulli – it is a speed camera, a memory of those who have 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, bicycle or scooter or walk on pavements or along a street“.
Crisafulli then explained: “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“.
A serious episode. Crisafulli announced that he had filed a complaint at the local police station. “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.“, he concluded.
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