NAPLES, January 6, 2026 – Law enforcement officials have formally requested that Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi consider the forced eviction of the long-standing Officina99 social center. The request stems from public safety concerns that arose after an incident on December 14, 2025.
Incident Triggers Eviction Review
The situation escalated when, on December 14th, a man experienced a medical emergency during a concert held at the Officina99 facility. Emergency services, including 118 personnel and Carabinieri, responded to the scene. Upon arrival, officers noted the presence of numerous individuals and proceeded to identify several event organizers. Further investigations have been conducted in the days following the incident.
City officials have confirmed that the property is being occupied illegally and that the center lacks the necessary permits for serving beverages and hosting public events. Based on these findings, the Carabinieri informed the judicial authorities and urged the mayor to consider intervention.
Political Reluctance from City Hall
Despite the official request, sources within Palazzo San Giacomo indicate that, from a political standpoint, there is currently no intention to proceed with an eviction. This suggests a potential divergence between law enforcement recommendations and the city’s political will regarding the future of the social center.
Officina99’s Defense: A Hub for Culture and Community
In response to the eviction request, Officina99 issued a strong statement defending its role in the community. “Calling for help and collaborating with health authorities is an act of responsibility, not a reason to close a space,” the center declared. They highlighted their three decades of activity, during which they have hosted “hundreds of cultural, musical, and social initiatives, offering the city an accessible, self-managed, and free space in an area lacking alternatives.”
The center further argued that “episodes of illness or alcohol abuse occur daily in private venues, discos, street parties, and large events, without this leading to questioning the existence of those spaces. Applying different criteria to self-managed social realities means making a political choice, not ensuring safety.”
Officina99 reiterated its commitment to public dialogue: “We ask the Municipality of Naples to take political responsibility for a choice concerning the model of city it intends to build: a city that closes aggregation spaces or a city that recognizes, protects, and dialogues with them.” The center concluded by stating, “Officina99 is open to public discussion but strongly rejects any eviction disguised as a safety measure. Safety comes from sociality, not from repression.”
A History of Counter-Culture and Social Action
Officina99, founded on May 1, 1991, through the occupation of a long-abandoned workshop on Via Gianturco, has been a significant symbol of counter-culture, mutual aid, and social activism in Naples for over 30 years. It continues to attract students, workers, and various movements in the periphery, inspiring the reclamation of urban spaces across the city.
