The #NoMaranza campaign becomes an association

Breaking the cycle of violence in nightlife venues and spaces: with this aim, the NoMaranza association is born, inviting 'violent' individuals to avoid nightlife spots. The initiative was presented at the Marina Convention Center by chef Natale Giunta, accompanied by lawyer Mario Bellavista and journalist Stefania Petyx, who are respectively the vice president and secretary of the association.

Fights and beatings too often characterize the weekends in the capital, interrupting moments of leisure and causing repercussions for venue managers. From a provocation spread through social media, No Maranza becomes a concrete reality aimed at bringing together venue managers and institutions to curb unjustified violence during what should be hours of fun for young people.

“The term #NoMaranza comes from the killer of Paolo Taormina, whose last name is Maranzano – explains Giunta - we do not want any more victims in the nightlife, people go out to have fun and not with the fear of being killed. In our venues, we let everyone in, regardless of their look, as long as they are polite: ours is a provocation against what is now a status, namely wearing a beard in a certain way, tracksuits and fanny packs. The danger arises when a group of people, all dressed the same, threaten to cause trouble if the bouncer does not let them into the venue.”

Overcoming legislative obstacles is another point the association emphasizes. In particular, there is a push for the amendment of Article 100 of the Tulps (Consolidated Text of Public Security Laws), which states that venue managers are directly responsible for any fights or damages occurring near their establishments: “We will ask and support anyone who requests in Parliament the amendment of this truly outdated regulation – emphasizes Bellavista - we also plan to propose memoranda of understanding with the Prefecture and the Municipality so that virtuous venue managers who strictly follow the rules can benefit from guaranteed protection and safeguarding from public authorities without the risk of being reported and then shut down.”

No discrimination, then, towards long beards and the clothes worn: on this point Stefania Petyx intervened. "We have nothing against beards and those who dress that way, but restaurateurs know perfectly well who comes in to cause trouble and those people should not enter: all the other beards, kind, nice, and wanting to have fun, are welcome."

At the same time, the photography exhibition Sì Maranza was presented, by the Palermitan photographer Alessio Falzone: each image tells a different, healthy nightlife, to demonstrate that the beard does not necessarily have to be associated with a scenario of violence.