- LATEST
- WEBSTORY
- TRENDING
WORLD
'Robin Hood of Spain' runs food raids on supermarkets
Spain is grappling with austerity cuts and unemployment of nearly 25%.
Updated : Aug 11, 2012, 05:46 PM IST
TRENDING NOW
)
Before Pakistani TikTok star Minahil Malik, actress Rida Isfahani's MMS video leaked online by...
)
Hinduja Group firm gets key approval for acquisition of Anil Ambani's debt-ridden Reliance Capital
)
Gandii Baat, XXX actress Aabha Paul sets Instagram on fire with hot photos
)
Amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan tells Amitabh Bachchan: 'I hope people don't...'
)
Nayanthara Beyond The Fairytale: Who is Nayanthara's ex-lover who asked her to quit cinema?
)
Amitabh Bachchan praises Abhishek Bachchan's new film, netizens ask 'kash ye Aishwarya...'
)
7 times XXX, Gandii Baat actress Aabha Paul crashed the internet by flaunting her sexy curves
)
After separation from ex-wife Saira Banu, AR Rahman makes major announcement: 'I am deeply grateful to...'
)
Shweta Tiwari's wedding photos with Bigg Boss 13 contestant Vishal Aditya Singh go viral, here's the truth behind them
)
This Pakistani Influencer's private video leaked online, days after Minahil Malik and Insha Rehman's clips
)
Meet Mathira Khan, Pakistani influencer whose private video leaked after Minahil Malik, Imsha Rehman
)
Mukesh Ambani's Jio to get tough competition from BSNL, plan provides unlimited benefits for less than Rs...
)
'Good to be back': After breaking up with Malaika Arora, Arjun Kapoor reunites with his 'partner-in-crime after ages'
)
From swanky cars to multi-crore houses: Step inside AR Rahman's ultra-lavish lifestyle with net worth of Rs 17280000000
)
After breakup with Malaika Arora, Arjun Kapoor dedicates his new tattoo to this special person in his life
A left-wing mayor of a town in Andalusia has become a modern-day Robin Hood, organising raids on supermarkets to feed the poor of his community.
Juan Manuel Sanchez Gordillo, 53, has, over the past week, led raids on supermarkets around Marinaleda, near Seville in Spain, arguing that "someone has to do something so that families can eat".
Sanchez, an avowed communist who has been mayor for 33 years and a member for the regional parliament of Andalusia for the United Left party (IU), did not take part but directed his "comrades" over a megaphone.
At one Carrefour supermarket on Tuesday, around a dozen trolleys were filled with staples such as milk, sugar, oil and pasta, before being taken through the checkout without payment. A similar looting in Ecija occurred later that day.
"There are people who simply don't have enough to eat," he said. "We've decided to expropriate basic foodstuffs and give them to the soup kitchens, which are struggling to provide for everyone because demand has increased."
Spain is grappling with austerity cuts and unemployment of nearly 25%.
Five people have been arrested for taking part in the raids but police have not arrested Mr Sanchez because of his position as regional MP. Instead, he has been asked to give a statement in front of an investigating magistrate.
Civil Guards moved in yesterday (Friday) to dismantle a protest camp on the grounds of an estate owned by the defence ministry where Sanchez was camping out with more than 100 members of the Andalusia Workers' Syndicate (SAT).
The protesters took over the finca of Las Turquillas, a farm near Osuna, two weeks ago, demanding a more equal distribution of land in Andalucia. Activists had taken over unused land and planted vegetables.
Sanchez labelled the dismantling of the camp as "heavy-handed".
His actions have led him to be called in the press "the Robin Hood of Spain" and "the revolutionary of Andalusia".
Marinaleda, a town of 3,000 residents, has attracted people from throughout Spain to join its farming co-operative and a municipal housing programme.
