Libero Grassi | |
|---|---|
 Libero Grassi | |
| Born | 19 July 1924 Catania, Italy |
| Died | 29 August 1991 (aged 67) Palermo, Italy |
| Occupation | Clothing manufacturer |
| Known for | Killed by the Mafia after taking a solitary stand against their extortion demands |
Libero Grassi (Italian pronunciation: [ˈliːbero ˈɡrassi]; 19 July 1924 – 29 August 1991) was an Italian clothing manufacturer from Palermo, Sicily, who was killed by the Mafia after taking a solitary stand against their extortion demands. The businessman wrote an open letter to the local newspaper informing the extortionists that he was no longer willing to pay pizzo, a Sicilian term for protection money. Other business-owners and shopkeepers in Palermo refused to join his public campaign. Grassi was gunned down in the street near his home eight months after writing the letter.
Grassi was born in Catania, was married, and had a son and daughter. Following his death, his family have continued his campaign, lending their support to the Addiopizzo movement that is against pizzo.