ITALY: Nigerian migrant fined €350 for sweeping streets without permission

Authorities in Italy fined a Nigerian migrant who spends his days sweeping the streets of an Italian town to the tune of €350, because he did not have the permission of the local council.

Reports say local police in Mestre, a town near Venice, took a dim view of the daily clean-up performed by the 29-year-old Nigerian, simply identified as Monday who made an effort to find something useful to do.

They accused him of “flagrantly cleaning the area without council authorisation” and issued him with a €350 fine.

A battered cardboard sign that Monday propped up on the pavement each morning read, in Italian: “Dear ladies and gentleman, I would like to integrate myself honestly in your society without asking for alms. I will keep your street clean and ask only a contribution for my work.”

An online appeal has been launched by a local lawyer, Matteo D’Angelo, to help pay the fine. Mr D’Angelo said that punishing Monday for keeping the streets clean was absurd.

“It’s an injustice,” he told The Telegraph. “This man was doing a civic duty. He deserves encouragement, not punishment.”

On Facebook, Mr D’Angelo said that the migrant had swept up “leaves that block the drains every time it rains, cigarette butts and all the rubbish that we civilised citizens throw on the ground, and the dogs— that owners fail to clear up. Woe betide a poor chap who tries to integrate himself.”

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Monday’s actions reportedly drew police attention after complaints from residents.

But the fine was withdrawn after police received four phone calls from other local residents who defended him.

According to BBC, authorities said the fine had been given by officers who were new and inexperienced.

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