 |
 |
|
|
Standing up to the mafia |
5 Oct 2009 |
|
|
How a Sicilian ethical consumerism campaign is trying to beat mafia might
A recent report commissioned by Italy's parliamentary anti-mafia commission, suggests that 13 million Italians still live in areas where organised crime exerts influence over everyday life. But in some parts of Italy, business owners are determined to stand up against the power of the mafia. Five years ago a group of students in Palermo formed Addiopizzo - literally goodbye pizzo, referring to the protection money that businesses in the area have been expected to pay. They are attempting to stand up to the mafia using ethical consumerism and they encourage locals to deal only with businesses who refuse to pay the protection money. Many of those at the forefront of the movement are women and young people who are tired of the reality of mafia control. But five years on, have they made an impact? Jane speaks to Emma Wallis, a journalist based in Rome and Dr Catherine O’Rawe, a senior lecturer in Italian at Bristol University. |
|
|
|
Male listenersHow do you listen to the programme? And what do you enjoy about it? Please share your experiences with us. |
|
