Piazza Grimana, the voice of the people against the faults of their governor

From children to the elderly, local residents, business owners, and workers of the city's historic center convened to address the problems they feel their government has been ignoring for far too long. The convention was organized by the local group “Perugia is not the capital of drugs”, where one by one, citizens from all different occupations and backgrounds were given the chance to voice their complaints to governor Wladimiro Boccali.

Local merchant Dontella Panicale conveys her hopelessness when the solution to the constantly growing number of drug dealers becomes: “don't look, it works”. A pharmacist of 40 years, Lodovico Vitali, receives a choir of boos when he admits he can no longer conduct his business within the center. The largest reaction came from the powerful display of chocolatier Giordano Mangano, who pleaded forcefully for change, citing documents from over a decade ago when he was part of the city council that have still yet to be completed.

Problems like inflation and drug use that have been neglected for years are finally reaching a boiling point, according to the people. While the periphery of Perugia has always been professionally maintained, the historic center of Perugia, within its ancient Etruscan walls, has been left to crumble and die. Life has become a struggle for its many residents.

“An assembly like this is too large to be forgotten”, Governor Boccali admitted when he finally took to the stage, “And we will not forget it”. A point of no return has been reached. He acknowledged the difficulty of the local residents and assumed responsibility, vowing that reform will begin immediately. Though there were no jeers for the governors words, his applause was meek and spotty.

(Translated by Randal Sartor)