" Corso Umberto cannot remain entirely closed . We live off these activities." An hour in the dark to protest against the traffic revolution that prohibits cars from passing through. "We turned off the lights in protest. We ask the mayor to meet us halfway, finding a meeting point," says the group of traders who, between 6 and 7 pm today, gathered in the heart of the car-free Corso. Also supported by Confcommercio , they identify the new traffic system as the main cause of the collapse in sales.
" We have reached the end of the line . We cannot go on like this. It has been a year of suffering and we can't take it anymore. They are taking away our bread." Several shopkeepers explained the reasons for the protest : "This gesture is not just a symbol, but a cry for help . The lights off symbolize the real risk of turning off the beating heart of the city. The municipal administration must understand that every decision must be made in a participatory way, with the involvement of those who suffer the direct consequences. We cannot continue to suffer in silence."
The merchants promoting the initiative, a group of over 20 VAT holders, renew their request for an urgent meeting with Mayor Marcello Ladu to address the issue of traffic regulation and to identify solutions that can guarantee the liveability of the center without sacrificing economic activities. "We hope that this gesture will make people think," the merchants conclude, "and will finally lead the administration to sit down with us to find a shared way out."