The Portella della Ginestra massacre occurred against the backdrop of post-World War II Italy, during a period of social upheaval and political strife. Salvatore Giuliano, a notorious bandit and leader of a separatist movement in Sicily, orchestrated the attack to disrupt a May Day celebration organized by socialist and communist groups. On May Day, a holiday celebrated by workers around the world, thousands gathered in the countryside near Palermo to honor labor rights and social justice. Giuliano and his armed men opened fire on the crowd, aiming to intimidate labor organizers and showcase the power of his bandit group.

The brutal assault resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals and inflicted injuries on 33 others, leaving the community in shock. This violent act was not only a severe blow to the region's labor movement but also revealed the extent of Giuliano's influence and the fragile nature of the political landscape in post-war Sicily. The attack garnered national attention, leading to increased government scrutiny of Giuliano's activities and a crackdown on banditry in the region.

In the aftermath, public sentiment shifted as the massacre drew attention to the plight of the Sicilian people, struggling under the weight of violence, poverty, and aspirations for greater autonomy. The incident became a symbol of the larger conflict between the Sicilian separatist movement and the Italian state, forever altering the dynamics of political discourse in the region.