This is Luana. Luana Zaratti. It was July 31, 2011, and Luana, just 26 years old, was a ticket inspector for the Atac public transport system in Rome. As she was about to fine him for not having a ticket, an undocumented Egyptian man headbutted her in the face. The blow was extremely violent, and Luana’s injuries were so severe that she remained bedridden in a vegetative state for a long time.
Brain damage.
The Egyptian was sentenced to only 14 months in prison, despite his prior record, a sentence he never served because he escaped after just one day and disappeared without a trace. His whereabouts are unknown.
What we do know, however, is that he never paid for this crime, a serious crime. It took a great deal of pain, effort, and strength for her to slowly recover.
The INAIL (Italian National Institute for Accident Insurance) did not even recognize her work accident, although the damage is permanent, as evidenced by her bent body, and she lives on a small disability pension that does not reach a thousand euros.
The man who reduced her to this state is a violent, dangerous man, a murderer, and he is free.
Luana’s life, the Luana of before, no longer exists, her former job no longer exists, her former body no longer exists, her former dreams no longer exist either, and she is the one who is a prisoner.
Luana will no longer be able to jump, dance, or run. She will no longer be able to move around independently.
What solidarity did this young woman receive, who at only 26 years old had her life taken from her without any possibility of restoring it? No one knelt for her, no one demonstrated for her.