Salerno – Hundreds of voices united against concrete: environmental groups, local administrators, and residents flooded the Via Ligea beach this morning, the last free beach in the western part of the city, to shout a resounding "No" to the expansion of the commercial port.
At the heart of the protest is the project to extend the western quay for the "Motorways of the Sea" and the lengthening of the outer and inner breakwaters. "Salerno has already burdened the port too much, with traffic, air pollution, and noise," thundered Enzo Ragone, the initiative's promoter. "These projects bring neither wealth nor stable jobs to the port workers, but devastate the fragile ecosystem of the Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site."
Mayors of the Coast on the Front Line
The protest took on a supra-municipal dimension thanks to the presence of a delegation from the Amalfi municipalities. The deputy mayor of Cetara, Francesco Pappalardo, the mayor of Vietri sul Mare, Giovanni De Simone, and the mayor of Minori, Andrea Reale, along with several city councilors, joined the chorus of dissent.
"Modifying the port entrance would force ships to navigate closer to the coast, right off the coasts of Cetara and Vietri sul Mare," De Simone explained. "This poses a real risk to maritime safety and the tourist appeal of the Divine Livorno, which thrives on natural beauty, not naval dangers."
Petition coming soon: the battle continues
The protesters, carrying banners and slogans like "Hands off the beach," have announced a petition in the coming weeks to gather signatures and block the project. This united front highlights the tensions between port development and environmental protection in an area already under pressure.
The demonstration ended without incident, but the message is clear: Salerno and the Amalfi Coast do not intend to give up an inch of sand and sea.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (2)
And it's all decided... by Mr. De Luca
This morning's protest sent a strong signal to the administration. Residents are concerned about the pollution and risks posed by the project. We hope they listen to our voices before making a decision.