PALERMO-The ‘ship of legality’ brought thousands of students to commemorate Friday for the 22^nd anniversary of the murder of anti-mafia judge Giovanni Falcone and those killed in the Capaci massacre in May 1992.

 The ‘ship of legality’ was greeted by dozens of balloons that were launched into the air and some 15000 students who were involved in the manifestations, according to the Falcon Federation, the organizers of the event.

 The ship sailed from Civitavecchia yesterday evening in remembrance of Falcone, Francesca Morvillo and bodyguards Antonio Montinaro, Rocco Dicillo and Vito Schifani, who were slain by Cosa Nostra in the Capaci motorway incident 22 years ago.

 The students gathered, like every year at the port-the same place where the celebration of the Maxi trial took place, which saw hundreds of Mafia members convicted of serious crimes. American students from Washington and New York also joined them.

 Maria Falcone, president of the Falcone foundation and sister of the judge, showed her appreciation to all those who took part in the event; “I want to thank all those who have participated, but in particular I would like to thank the president of the Italian Republic who went to greet the students who arrived at the port of Civitavecchia in Palermo with the ‘ship of legality.’”

 Among those on board the ship were Stefania Giannini (president of the national anti-mafia committee), Rosy Bindi (president of the Court of Auditors committee), Franco Roberti (national anti mafia prosecutor) and Anna Maria Tarantola (president of RAI).

 President Giorgio Napolitano also took part with his message; “To combat the mafia, we must focus on tools in schools. 
To win, you have to study, understand, engage and get excited."

 Meanwhile the Prime Minister Matteo Renzi paid tribute by posting on twitter; “May 23, thinking of Vito, Rocco, Antonio, Francesca and Giovanni, who educated students to fight the Mafia.”  The tweet ended with  #ionondimentico (#idontforget).

 Earlier this morning the ‘plane of legality’ landed at the Falcone and Borsellino airport of Palermo (named after anti mafia judge Paolo Borsellino who was assassinated by the mafia shortly after Giovanni Falcone). The ‘plane of legality’ left New York yesterday with a group of American students who joined in the manifestations today.

 The students were greeted by the president of GESAP (the international Falcone Borsellino airport), Fabio Giambrone who stood with a banner with the words; “Together, not to forget.”