"french occupation"
Either he thinks of the sicilian vespera ca 1290, were sicilians raised up killed die people of the french anjou, and got peter from aragon into the country.

Or he ist talking about Garibaldis war against the bourbon kings (french decent), which was partly joined by parts of groups which were ancestors of the Cosa Nostra.
If you think these mafioso-type groups fight for a noble cause, read Tomasi di Lampedusa: "il leopardo". They fought because "everything had to change, to stay as it is!!!!!" (from the book= one of the most true/truest??? sentences about sicillia), the mafia did this do survive, and finally they grew even stronger.
excuse my bad english