Land of Fires protest in Naples Saturday

(ANSA) - Naples, October 24 - Demonstrators will take to the streets in downtown Naples on Saturday to protest unpoliced fires to burn toxic and illegal waste.
    Angelo Ferrillo, president of the Land of Fires association - the group organizing the protest - said that "the burning of toxic waste and illicit disposal-recycling continue undisturbed " despite announced public efforts to fight the so-called ecomafia in the area between Naples and Caserta.
    The illegal burning of toxic waste in the area has led to it being dubbed the "land of fires".
    With 90 clans and 4,000 affiliates active in the region, the powerful Naples-based Camorra mafia has long infiltrated the rubbish-collection industry and has raked in huge profits even as its illegal dumps and uncontrolled burning of waste and other toxic materials have been blamed for unusually high levels of cancer and other disease linked to pollution that will plague future generations.
    The Land of Fires association has asked the Naples prefecture to face sit with them at a table to address how the issue is being tackled. In March, Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said the government was sending 100 military troops to fight the phenomenon.