Today the mayor of Riace Mimmo Lucano has been arrested by the Public Prosecutor Office of Locri. He is accused of facilitating illegal immigration and illegal activities in the direct award of the waste collection services. The Italian city of Riace had become a global symbol of solidarity for its innovative way of governing the city by welcoming migrants. Today, following the arrest, the accusations are: facilitating "illegal immigration" and "fraudulent direct award of the waste management services". The mayor and his partner, Tesfahun Lemlem, who has been issued a ban on residence, are accused of forcing procedures to allow some women to remain in Italy through marriages of convenience. An assembly is planned in Reggio Calabria to decide on ways and forms of protest and mobilizations in support of Mimmo Lucano.

In a light of the recent events, this is the story about a small town that was saved from extinction by opening its doors and welcome refugees.