In Colleferro, with the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, we commemorate the fifth anniversary of the death of Willy Monteiro Duarte, the 21-year-old of Cape Verdean origins who was beaten to death on the night of September 5, 2020.

"Willy," Mattarella said, "is one of our boys , killed by blind, senseless, and brutal violence while trying to defend a friend and calm things down to prevent a fight. He wanted to avoid violence, and violence erupted against him. We fondly remember Willy, along with his family and friends, and we will not forget. Willy is an exemplary Italian, and for this reason he was awarded the Gold Medal of Civil Valor in honor of his act of courage and selflessness."

"In today's society," he continued, "a climate of aversion and resentment, of mutual rejection, is returning, often resulting in violence and even murder. On social media and elsewhere, hateful words are amplified, accompanied by a narrative designed to generate mistrust and provoke conflict, division, and confrontation. Reality, respect for opinions, and civilized criticism are rejected. Those who differ from oneself are seen as enemies, enemies to be fought and defeated. Far from considering diversity of opinion a challenge to deeper understanding, people believe that others must be annihilated. There is a risk that violence will become routine and banal, and some will even boast about it."

"It is a great honor for me to stand before you in this square," said the victim's mother, Lucia Monteiro Duarte. " Here, where Willy left his heart. In our great grief, we have felt the embrace and comfort of all of Italy. I want to thank you for honoring his memory." "May Willy," she added, "not be remembered as a hero, but as a simple boy and a friend to all. Our message, the one we have been carrying forward for five years, is to live life with peace in our hearts, without hatred. Because hatred and revenge always lead to more pain and prevent us from seeing the beautiful things ."

Four final sentences were handed down for Willy's death: Marco Bianchi, the younger of the two brothers from Artena, received a life sentence; Gabriele received a 28-year sentence. Francesco Belleggia and Mario Pincarelli were also sentenced to 23 and 21 years, respectively.

(Unioneonline)

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