A quiet revolution                                  


Years ago In the lively heart of Palermo’s biggest street market Ballaro, a quiet revolution took place. After Yusupha Susso (a Gambian migrant) was gunned down in the street in 2016 by a man tied to Sicilian Mafia , 10 Bangladeshi shopkeepers and 1 from Tunisia were tired of the violence and harassment. Despite extreme danger for their own safety they defied the grip of the Cosa Nostra mafia and came together to lead a groundbreaking legal battle in 2017. 2 years on In 2019 eight members of the Mafia were sentenced to a total of 60 years in prison for their crimes.

Visiting the Market now the shopkeepers live their lives In the front of their stalls, Children play and the families stand proudly. The feeling is not one of fear and danger but pride and comfort. The shopkeepers all remain anonymous for their own safety but one noted he and his family have lost most, though not all, of their fear. “Now I go to Ballaro without any problems,” he says. “I can take my daughter to school.”