The candidature of the Italian municipality of Riace for the Nobel Peace Prize has raked in 90,000 signatures, including those of thousands of teachers, associations and dozens of Parliamentarians. The city's mayor, Domenico (Mimmo) Lucano, made headlines around the world for his efforts to integrate migrants into the community. ''This brings me happiness in a period of overriding bitterness,'' former mayor Mimmo Lucano commented.
Mimmo Lucano, Riace's suspended mayor, has launched a new initiative to support integration projects for migrants in the southern Italian town. The projects were blocked after the pro-migrant politician was accused of corruption and helping illegal immigration last year.
People came from all over to Riace, the town considered a model of migrant integration, to give support to the "dream" of Mayor Mimmo Lucano, who was suspended after being involved in a court case.
Prosecutors have ended their investigation regarding the mayor of Riace, Italy. They want to charge Mimmo Lucano with migrant reception irregularities, fraud, false accounting, complicity in corruption, abuse of power and embezzlement. But Lucano denies the charges against him.
Riace seems a ghost town after a court decided to revoke the house arrest for mayor Domenico Lucano and ban him from living in the town. The prevailing sentiment among refugees and others is dismay, along with incredulity and anger.