Thousands join anti-mafia protest in Italy

REGGIO CALABRIA - Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in the southern Italian city of Reggio Calabria Saturday to vent their anger at the mafia.

The mass rally was aimed at the ‘Ndrangheta, a Calabrian criminal group that is considered to be the most powerful mafia organisation.

The demonstrators condemned the strong influence of organised crime in their region, chanting slogans such as “Together for a new Calabria” and “We are free, we are many and we are tired of the ‘Ndrangheta”.

They also called on politicians in Rome to do more against organised crime.

The rally came in the wake of a bomb attack on the home of Reggio Calabria’s main prosecutor, Salvatore Di Landro. The incident was blamed on the mafia.

Di Landro participated in Saturday’s protest.

“We want to free ourselves from the oppression of the mafia,” he said.