Portella della Ginestra massacre
| Portella della Ginestra massacre | |
|---|---|
Mural of the Portella della Ginestra massacre | |
| Location | In the municipality of Piana degli Albanesi at the top of the pass leading to San Giuseppe Jato |
| Coordinates | 37°58′34″N 13°15′22″E / 37.97611°N 13.25611°E |
| Date | 1 May 1947 10:15 |
| Target | May Day celebrations of communist Sicilian peasants |
Attack type | Mass shooting, massacre |
| Deaths | 11 |
| Injured | 27 |
| Perpetrators | Salvatore Giuliano and band of Sicilian separatists |
| Motive | Intimidation of peasant movement and their drive for land reform in the context of a campaign against the Italian Communist Party after a surprising victory in the 1947 Sicilian regional election |
| Part of a series on |
| Communism in Italy |
|---|
The Portella della Ginestra massacre refers to the killing of 11 people and wounding of 27 others during May Day celebrations in Sicily on 1 May 1947, in the municipality of Piana degli Albanesi. Those held responsible were the bandit and separatist leader Salvatore Giuliano and his gang, although their motives and intentions are still a matter of controversy.