Portella della Ginestra massacre | |
---|---|
Location | In the municipality of Piana degli Albanesi at the top of the pass leading to San Giuseppe Jato |
Coordinates | 37°58′34″N 13°15′22″E / 37.97611°N 13.25611°E |
Date | 1 May 1947 10:15 |
Target | May Day celebrations of communist Sicilian peasants |
Attack type | Mass shooting, massacre |
Deaths | 11 killed, 27 wounded[1] |
Perpetrators | Salvatore Giuliano and band of Sicilian separatists |
Motive | Intimidation of peasant movement and their drive for land reform in the context of a campaign against the Italian Communist Party after a surprising victory in the 1947 Sicilian regional election |
Part of a series on |
Communism in Italy |
---|
Communism portal |
The Portella della Ginestra massacre refers to the killing of 11 people and 27 wounded during May Day celebrations in Sicily on 1 May 1947, in the municipality of Piana degli Albanesi. Those held responsible were the bandit and separatist leader Salvatore Giuliano and his gang, although their motives and intentions are still a matter of controversy.