[1] The Fascio dei Lavoratori in Lercara Friddi had been founded between July and September 1893 among peasants and sulphur miners.

On November 8, 1893, a committee was formed to negotiate with the landowners and mine-owners to improve working conditions.

[2] However, the political situation was also marked by a fierce battle between the Sartorio and the Nicolosi families about who would rule the town.

The dissenters wanted to organise a demonstration the next day, but were stopped by Verro, claiming that violence against the tax tollhouses and municipality would be counterproductive and that in the strictly organized movement in Corleone these kinds of disorders did not happen.

[2][4] The sub-prefect of Palermo tried to calm down the rally, promising the abolition of the duties, while addressing them from the balcony of the town hall.

On the square, protesters with rocks and sticks confronted soldiers that opened fire when the mob risked to break through, leaving several dead and many wounded.

[2] The Lercara Friddi massacre was one of the first in a series of bloody incidents that would lead up to the proclamation of a state of siege by Prime minister Francesco Crispi on January 4, 1894, that would crack down heavily on the Fasci.