Castel Volturno remembers the 2008 massacre: "And now let's shut down the CPR."

Eighteen years after the massacre of September 18, 2008, Castel Volturno once again remembers the six African victims killed by the Casalesi clan and relaunches the mobilization against the construction of a repatriation detention center in the "La Piana" nature park.

The day was organized by activists from the Ex Canapificio social center, the Caserta Migrants and Refugees movement, Castel Volturno Solidale, and Emergency. The program opened in Piazza Annunziata with a meeting with students from the Garibaldi Comprehensive Institute, and then continued at kilometer 43 of the Domiziana road, in Ischitella, with a secular and interfaith assembly.

The initiative was attended, among others, by the Bishop of Caserta and Archbishop of Capua, Pietro Lagnese, the Prefect of Caserta, Lucia Volpe, the Police Commissioner Andrea Grassi, the Prefectural Commissioner of Castel Volturno, Fernando Mone, the MEP Sandro Ruotolo, and representatives of institutions, associations, and trade unions.

The commemoration concluded with a demonstration in the area designated for the construction of the CPR. This led to the announcement of a permanent mobilization and a regional demonstration on October 24th.

"We are here today to remember the commitment that we, as a Social Center and Ex Canapificio, carry out daily in the battles for the environment, for human rights, and against the Camorra. From today on, our mobilization will be permanent to defend this territory, and we will not allow a land already scarred by blood to be scarred by a useless and inhumane prison," said Virginia Crovella of the No CPR Committee.

The October meeting was officially launched to "stop the construction of any CPR." Promoters include Castel Volturno Solidale, the Archdiocese of Capua and Caserta, the Pinetamare and Garibaldi comprehensive schools, and the Campania regional committee "No CPRs here or elsewhere."

The CGIL (Naples and Campania) union also reiterated its opposition to the project, calling for "the repurposing of the €43 million allocated by the government for investment in schools, healthcare, and employment," and announcing its participation in the October 24 demonstration.

"We reiterate our total and unwavering opposition to the construction of the repatriation detention center in Castel Volturno and, more generally, anywhere else in the country. The CPRs are veritable places of detention and suspension of people's rights," stated Elisa Laudiero of the CGIL Naples and Campania secretariat.

According to Laudiero, the €43 million earmarked for the facility "must be invested in the revitalization of the area, particularly to strengthen the school system, public health, mobility, and employment."

"Immigration is not synonymous with insecurity. True security in Castel Volturno is ensured by combating organized crime and enhancing the area's historic vocation as a hub of humanity and a place of welcome," he added.

"We confirm our full support and participation, along with the No CPR committee network, in the demonstration scheduled for October 24th to publicly reiterate our rejection of the facility and demand concrete responses from the government," Laudiero concluded.