Shopkeepers defy extortion

The World
The World
At this shop in Palermo, a prominent sign screams out in Italian �pizzo free market� above the door. Until recently few would even utter the word, but over 80% of businesses in Palermo pay the tax according to this anti-mafia group. The bill can be from $300 up to $14,000 dollars a month. This business sells goods from only three companies that are all pizzo-free. The mob hasn't come calling yet, but the business owner's family is worried about his defiance. This gelato shop also is pizzo-free. Until recently few business owners would've dared defy the gangsters, but the 1992 assassinations of two anti-mafi judges galvanized Sicilians. The murders made this woman into an activist and she's now one of the people behind the anti-mafia group that promotes anti-pizzo businesses. The group hosts festivals to educate consumers. Almost 300 businesses have promised not to pay pizzo, which leaves about 8,700 other businesses that are still paying.
Sign up for our daily newsletter

Sign up for The Top of the World, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.