Naples – Yet another episode of violence linked to the illegal occupation of public housing in Naples. This time it occurred in Scampia, at Via del Gran Paradiso, number 89, where last night a group of people attempted to forcefully take over the home of a 74-year-old woman who was seriously ill.
The apartment was regularly occupied by a pensioner and her 37-year-old granddaughter. The attempted illegal eviction escalated into a full-blown assault.
Domenico Lopresto , secretary of the Naples Tenants' Union, reported the incident . He rushed to the scene to defend his sister. Upon arrival, he was brutally attacked with sticks and iron bars by at least eight people—three women and five men—who, according to the victim, were linked to organized crime. The attackers had already forced open the front door with a flex , gaining entry to the home.
Domenico Lopresto's shocking story
"They unleashed brutal beatings on me ," Lopresto recounts. During the assault, he was allegedly hurled at intimidating phrases such as: "I'll come get you in Mianella and I'll tear you to pieces." One of the women allegedly repeatedly struck the union representative's sister, shouting, "I've done 30 years in prison, I'll do another 30 on you."
Lopresto's brother and niece were also attacked and subsequently taken to the emergency room with various bruises. Only the intervention of the Carabinieri Radiomobile Unit prevented further damage: upon their arrival, the squatters fled. The investigation, coordinated by the Napoli Stella company, is ongoing to identify the attackers and reconstruct the precise sequence of events.
Emergency regarding illegal occupations in Naples
Last night's incident was not an isolated one, but the latest in a long-standing social emergency affecting Naples' public housing stock. In Scampia, Ponticelli, San Giovanni, Secondigliano, and Pianura, squatting, often accompanied by threats and violence, has become a common practice in numerous neighborhoods, further fueled by the government's slowness to ensure protection for legitimate tenants.
"We are horrified by what happened," said Salvatore Musella , leader of the Eighth Municipality. "In a public housing project, a door was forced open with a flex, and a family was attacked with bars. This is unacceptable: we will continue to fight against this illegality."
Gilda Sportiello , MP and city coordinator for the Five Star Movement, also took a strong stance : "I express my full solidarity with Domenico Lopresto and his family. Immediate action is needed to ensure safety, protection, and justice. We will do our part."
Meanwhile, honest families living in public housing continue to live in fear. Illegality creeps into the most vulnerable homes, taking advantage of the state's silence and weakness. And yesterday's case, sadly, will not be the last.
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It's sad to see violent incidents occurring, especially in neighborhoods like Scampia, where squatting seems to be a constant problem. Institutions must do more to ensure the safety of citizens and protect legitimate families.