The crossroads that lead to the hamlet of S. Iorio di Acquappesa are now the Lucio Ferrami crossroads. The dedication was made official this morning on the anniversary of his death, in the place where the criminal ambush took place 44 years ago.
A ceremony that has been taking place for 11 years, since the Antiracket Mani Libere Association of Cosenza named after him placed a plaque in memory. Since then, every 27 October, a commemorative ceremony is held preceded by the laying of a wreath of flowers that pays homage to his memory in the presence of his widow Maria Avolio, his son Pierluigi Ferrami, also President of the anti-racket association, his sister Franca Ferrami, together with representatives of the institutions, the Church, the police, the members and the citizens, who attended in large numbers this year.
An annual event which aims to remember the gesture of an entrepreneur who 44 years ago reported the extortion request, refusing to submit to the prevailing climate of abuse.
The first, second and third classes of the Acquappesa Secondary School also participated in the commemoration, accompanied by directors and teachers, and a representation of students and teachers of the S. Francesco di Paola high school from the Tyrrhenian town. A young student from Acquappesa read a text written together with her classmates on the story, shortly before the unveiling of the plaque with the title.
A commitment made last year by the mayor of Acquappesa Francesco Tripicchio during the past commemoration “because – as he stated – these things must never happen again and this place must be a symbol for the citizens”.
The mayor of Cetraro Giuseppe Aieta and the bishop of San Marco Argentano Mons. Stefano Rega then spoke, inviting everyone “to always choose what is right, even in our small daily gestures, because this makes the territory grow. Together we can reject everything that is bad”, he said.
Sister Franca, also the representative of the Presidio Libera of Cosenza, then read the speech of the representative of Libera Calabria Giuseppe Borrello, who was unable to attend, before leaving the floor to his widow Maria Avolio, who in a short but intense speech recalled the climate of the time and the procedural events.
“We need symbols, points of reference – said the vice prefect Osvaldo Caccuri in his speech -. Subjects who can embody those values which inspire the rules we have given ourselves for civil coexistence. Rules that reject abuses and prevarications, and the cowardly violence manifested here. Lucio Ferrami is one of those symbols”.
Also worth mentioning among those present was Cavaliere. Luigi Lupo, representing the ANCRI of Cosenza (Cav. Mario Metallo section), Don Ennio Stamile and a representative of the municipality of Paola.
In conclusion, Pierluigi Ferrami underlined the important role of the “Lucio Ferrami” Antiracket Mani Libere Association, which was created to support and assist victims of extortion and usury who want to free themselves from difficult and dangerous situations.