Italian cultural workers rally for Riace migrant model after mayor's arrest

A group of about 50 Italian cultural workers visited Riace, Calabria, on November 17-18, 2018, to support the town's migrant integration model after its mayor Domenico Lucano was arrested on October 2 for aiding illegal immigration. The arrest led to the cancellation of 165 funded integration spots under the SPRAR system, forcing 76 migrants to leave and leaving 80 locals unemployed. The cultural workers issued a manifesto declaring solidarity with Riace as a symbol of concrete coexistence, criticizing the political simplification and involution of the last 25-30 years. They plan to continue as a group called "da Riace," working on territorial platforms, a national synthesis website, and linking with the education sector. The visit included walking through mural-decorated streets, meeting residents and migrants, and hearing accounts of the welcoming system. Participants emphasized the emergence of a collective voice and the need for cultural workers to take a central role in community life.