Thirty-three years after the killing of Giovanni Panunzio, Foggia remembers the entrepreneur who symbolized the fight against the Mafia.

November 6 , 1992. On a cold autumn evening, the Foggia City Council was debating the Benevolo Urban Development Plan (PRG). That day, 33 years ago, real estate developer Giovanni Panunzio was murdered. Today, he was remembered by civil and military authorities in front of the stele erected on Corso Roma near the Zuretti Parking Lot. A symbol in the city for the fight against the Mafia and organized crime, which still oppresses its victims.

His story of courage and independence was borne witness to by his relatives, including his son Lino Panunzio and daughter-in-law Giovanna Belluna, who have always been at the forefront of anti-mafia social work over the years. Others who testified to his story were Mayor Maria Aida Episcopo, Councilor for Legality Giulio de Santis, Councilor for Sports Mimmo Di Molfetta , the Police Commissioner, the Deputy Prefect, and, above all, Don Antonio Coluccia , a priest from Salento, founder of the Opera Don Giustino, a priest under escort and a symbol of a Christianity that takes to the streets to fight against drug dealing, crime, and social neglect in the suburbs. From a former factory worker in Salento to a priest "in the trenches," Don Coluccia chose to live the Gospel where life seems to have lost hope, such as in the neighborhoods of San Basilio, Tor Bella Monaca, and Quarticciolo, places marked by degradation, drug dealing, and violence.

"We'd like to talk about Foggia's positive side. All the institutions work as a team, and the associations are dedicated to the local community," said Don Coluccia. "The story of Giovanni Panunzio is a legacy of this city that must never be forgotten. Panunzio paid with his life, but above all, he opened the door to critical reflection on the city. When a city faces problems, the first thing it does is deny them. We often become accustomed to crime; we become accustomed to it. The danger of our time is our accustomed nature to crime. We must never become accustomed to it, we must always react and fight for the common good. It's culture that must intervene, it must provide a strong response for this city, starting with schools and its young people."

Giovanna Belluna recalled the great hardships of the past 33 years, when relatives of mafia victims were called "infamous" in shops and among the business community. In Rodi Garganico, in Lido del Sole, Mayor D'Anelli named a "real square" after them. Today, the memory is there, and there are signs of change. But underestimations and minimizations persist, according to relatives.

"Dad, Giovanni Panunzio, behaved as any of us should; he wasn't a hero. However, Foggia, the political system, should acknowledge what he did, but so far it hasn't."

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