Milan, Italy – In a poignant ceremony held yesterday, Thursday, March 19, 2026, the city of Milan officially renamed Via Privata Micene to Via Giuseppe Pinelli. The street, located in the San Siro district near Via Preneste where Pinelli once resided, now serves as a permanent tribute to the anarchist railway worker who died under mysterious circumstances in police custody in 1969.
A Long-Awaited Recognition for an Innocent Victim
Giuseppe “Pino” Pinelli, a railway shunter, husband, and father of two, became a symbol of injustice after his death in the Milan police headquarters. He was detained for questioning in connection with the Piazza Fontana bombing, a neo-fascist terrorist attack, and tragically fell from the fourth floor of the police station during interrogation. Despite initial suspicions, Pinelli was later recognized as innocent.
His innocence was posthumously acknowledged by two Italian Presidents: Giorgio Napolitano in 2009, and Sergio Mattarella on the 50th anniversary of the Piazza Fontana bombing. Both recognized Pinelli as the 18th victim of the terrorist attack, highlighting the profound injustice of his death.
Ceremony Marked by Emotion and Dignity
The renaming ceremony was attended by a significant number of people, including Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, Pinelli’s daughters Claudia and Silvia, Culture Councilor Tommaso Sacchi, President of Municipality 7 Silvia Fossati, and Enrico Moroni, who championed the street’s dedication. The event was filled with a sense of gratitude and emotion, also honoring Licia Rognini Pinelli, Pino’s wife, who dedicated her life to defending his memory, protecting her daughters from falsehoods, and fighting for truth and justice regarding her husband’s innocent death and the true perpetrators of the Piazza Fontana massacre.
Mayor Sala: “Milan Has Not Forgotten Pinelli”
Mayor Giuseppe Sala emphasized the city’s commitment to remembering Pinelli. “Milan has not forgotten Pino Pinelli and does not intend to do so,” declared Mayor Sala. “With today’s dedication, the Municipality expresses its desire to restore, at least in part and as much as possible, the dignity and respect that were unjustly taken from him. This street is and will be an active memory of Milan: through the name of Giuseppe Pinelli, it will remind everyone, today and in the future, that ours is a city that firmly believes in justice, truth, and democracy. It is a city that does not forget the innocent victims of a complex and controversial historical period that still presents many obscurities.”
The renaming of the street aims to rectify a historical wrong and ensure that Pinelli’s story remains a vital part of Milan’s collective memory, serving as a constant reminder of the city’s commitment to democratic values and justice.
