«Welcome to Africa». This was read on a banner displayed at the entrance to Villanovaforru . A town of around 600 inhabitants which for years has welcomed around a hundred migrants without tension.
If the protest started, there is a reason: the Prefecture of Cagliari, which carries out the Government's wishes, wants to increase the number of foreigners ("dozens more") and wants them to stay in tents. A decision communicated in recent days to the mayor Maurizio Onnis, who decided to call a public meeting to involve citizens. So far Villanovaforru has done its part. And the community does not seem to want to suffer further impositions.
«The town, six hundred inhabitants, hosts almost a hundred migrants, has hosted them for eight years and has always stood out for its peaceful and dignified welcome of men, women and children who have come from far away in search of a better life», explains Onnis .
«The town doesn't want dozens more to arrive, as announced by the prefecture and, above all, it doesn't want them to be housed in tents», added the mayor, «we told the prefect very clearly: the tents reduce Villanovaforru to a camp refugees. It is not the fate of Marmilla, it is not the fate of Sardinia. It is not proof of respect on the part of the State."
Onnis had the banner removed «because I don't like headbutting, because we must act united and because I abhor anything that even remotely resembles racism. But it's obvious: if I have to choose who to be loyal to, State or community, I choose my community."
Enrico Fresu
