Reggio Emilia commemorates nine Reggiane workers killed in 1943

The city of Reggio Emilia held an official ceremony to mark the anniversary of the July 28, 1943 killing of nine factory workers at the former Officine Reggiane. Mayor Marco Massari placed a wreath of laurel at the Tecnopolo and a bouquet of flowers at the gate of Via Agosti, honoring the victims, including pregnant worker Domenica Secchi. He said, “Ci ritroviamo, anche quest’anno, per ricordare nove lavoratrici e lavoratori. Nove vite spezzate il 28 luglio 1943.”

The workers had marched peacefully three days after Mussolini’s fall, demanding an end to the war. The Regio Esercito and factory guards opened fire, killing the nine and wounding more than fifty. The ceremony, attended by ANPI representatives, provincial councilor Elio Ivo Sassi and union leaders, highlighted the historical link to the Italian Resistance and urged vigilance against contemporary conflicts, echoing the earlier remark, “Il sacrificio di quei lavoratori ci interroga anche nel presente.”