Street Art Project Fights Racism in Messina

Journalist Ileana Panama launched 'La Memoria dipinta sui Muri' in Messina, Sicily, in March 2019 after a swastika and racist graffiti appeared on two walls. The project uses street art to cover hate speech and promote anti-racism education in schools. Panama involved Collettivo FX and Nessunettuno, who created murals depicting Fatim Jawara, a Gambian female football goalkeeper who drowned in 2016 while migrating, and a whale symbolizing peace. The murals were well received by locals, who expressed approval. Panama aims to expand the project to address other themes and will produce a reportage featuring students' voices. The initiative emphasizes communication as action ('ComunicAzione') and positions street art as a tool for social change, not mere decoration.