The Sicilian "fasci" were a mass movement (1891-1893) with democratic and socialist inspiration, born in Sicily and involving peasantry, coal miners, craftsmen.

Inspired by the central and northern Italy's "fasci", the Sicilian movement protested against the Sicilian landowners, considered involved with the Mafia. The Sicilian "fasci" were founded in Catania in 1819, led by Giuseppe de Felice Giuffrida, and the movement involved also Palermo and the leader was Rosario Garibaldi Bosco. In this period the "Partito dei Lavoratori Italiani" (Italian Labour Party) was founded . After the fall of the feudalism, the distribution of the lands remained in the hands of the rich, and moreover, the re-unification of Italy didn’t give the expected benefits. The movement asked for some tax reforms and the redistribution of the lands. The Sicilian "fasci" with their movement reached the top in 1893 when  strikes in the whole island were organized. There were violent battles and the Sicilian "fasci" imposed their rules. The landed gentry immediately wanted the armed reaction of  Crispi’s government; the government occupied Sicily, cancelled the organization of the workers and arrested their leaders ( 3 January 1894). This was the end of the first anti-mafia movement, and of the emancipation of the poor classes.

by Andrea Viscione