allego copia di una lettera che ho trasmesso oggi a New York Post, New York Times, Norfolk Virginian Pilot, Washington Times e alla CBS.

Saluti.

Augusta

THIS IS AN "OPEN LETTER" THAT I WOULD LIKE TO VIRTUALLY SEND TO EVERY USA CITIZEN. I WARMELY ASK YOU TO BE SO KIND AS TO DIVULGE IT. THANK YOU.

Milan (Italy), 13.09.00

Tomorrow, 3 am local time, a man will be executed in Virginia.

There is more than a reasonable doubt on his guilt, but this seems not to be enough for your law.

How can you stand such a monstrosity? How can you not be ashamed?

USA are the only democratic country who still inflicts death penalty, and yet the number of crimes of 4 times higher than in Europe. How can you go on with the conviction that this is the right way to balance account with criminals?

When the "Social Pact" regulating the relationship between State and Citizens legitimate the murder of an enemy - as a criminal is for the society - the murder becames a way morally allowed to settle conflicts among the citizens themselves. I do believe this is the reason why criminal violence has reached this level in USA.

Italy and UE are in the front row of the political battle to obtain the moratorium of death penalty all over the world, within the year 2000, but I don't think this will be enough.

What I think is that, nevertheless, common people has a great power and can speak a language that everybody can understand: Money. From today on, my personal battle against death penalty will consist in the total boycott of any product made in USA and my mission will be to involve as many people and Associations as I can in Europe in this boycott.

Just another few world: don't allow Derek Barnabei execution. Don't be a nation of killers.

Thanks for your attention.

Augusta Mecatti

Via Trebbia 33 - 20135 Milano Italy