Spanish police have arrested seven left-wing union activists for their alleged role in recent “Robin Hood”-style heists designed to highlight the plight of people suffering through the country’s recession.
The activists on Tuesday stormed a supermarket and stole nine trolleys full of food that they later gave to the poor and unemployed.
Because, you know, if you take from one to give to another, that solves the problem, right?
The mayor of the nearby town of Marinaleda, Juan Manuel Sanchez Gordillo, took credit for one of the sackings and vows more will take place. Wait, that mayor was in on this? What kind of mayor –
“There are people who don’t have enough to eat,” said Gordillo who actually oversaw one of the sackings and instructed activists via megaphone. “So we’ve decided to expropriate basic foodstuffs and give them to a soup kitchen, which is having difficulties finding enough food for everyone, because demand has gone up.”
“In Andalusia and in Spain, it’s not the political powers that are in charge, it’s the banks, who have no heart, feelings or country,” he added.
For cash-strapped Spain, this sort of “activism” may become a trend.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is fighting to prevent his country becoming the latest — and biggest — victim of the economic crisis crippling the 17 countries that use the euro and ask for a full-blown government bailout.
In an attempt to bring its economy under control and restore the confidence of investors, Rajoy has come up with a package of tax hikes and spending cuts he says is worth €65 billion through the end of 2014. But he is reluctant to tighten the screw further amid very real fears of unrest in the streets.
“Right now, we’re seeing things that surprise, hurt and outrage us,” said former leader of the United Left, Gaspar Llamazares, who applauded the “Robin Hood” attacks as a “symbolic gesture.”
Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Mayor photo courtesy Irishtimes.com





















































































































Comments (59)
Ghandi was a Republican
Aug. 11, 2012 at 11:16amRobin Hood stole money from the Tax man and gave the people a refund. He did not steal from people trying to make payroll and feed their families with what was left over..
Obama steals from all and gives to his cronies. Obamahood– It’s not just for ghettos anymore!
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RJJinGadsden
Aug. 11, 2012 at 12:46pmNaturally they picture the gayest of all gay Robin Hood actors, Errol Flynn to prove a point I suppose.
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lukerw
Aug. 11, 2012 at 4:01pmAfter the Conquest of 1066, England was rules by French Normans… in a Tree Structure Government, based upon Noble Rank… Taxes were a TrickleUp, where Slaves (a majority) paid No Taxes… so Taxes fell upon FreeMen and Lower Nobles. King Richard, 7th King, spoke only French, and visited England only several times… and simply used England to provide him with Food, Money, and Troops! Anything that a Robin Hood would have stolen… would have only resulted in an Increase of Taxes!
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Southerner01
Aug. 12, 2012 at 9:09amErrol Flynn was a registered member of the Nazi party. That’s appropriate for this version of “robin hood” politics.
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IOWAGIR
Aug. 13, 2012 at 11:55amLMFAO!!!!! Love your Hood comment! So funny and yet so true!
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CulperGang
Aug. 11, 2012 at 10:56amThe media has hidden from the Spaniards the REAL AGENDA of the Spanish politicians in as much as the media has here in America. You are all assuming that Spaniards went along with their government agendas. THEY knew just as much as YOU Americans know about your politicians agendas. WHICH IS ZERO.
Everybody get this straight: MAINSTREET people around the world ARE the victims of their politicians ALL of whom work for the Bilderberger/NewWorldOrder Banking cartel.
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balrog25
Aug. 11, 2012 at 9:58amA great fire can start with a spark. Has it begun??? Keep vigil on the watchtower, prepare and pray. The steps from sparks to conflagration rise speed as they go. Common sense says prepare.
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bemo234
Aug. 11, 2012 at 9:52amSpain is a socialist country and stealing is what socialist do!
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Metalstr8jckt
Aug. 11, 2012 at 10:50amThese Spaniards complain about the “Banks”? Ha-Ha. It is their corrupt socialist government. These “Activists” Are thieves, and perpetrators of Marxist lies to blame capitalism as the source of injustice. They should be raiding the pantries of the government officials and bureaucrats….but they won’t. because those people have armed protection 24/7 and ‘create” media hype to continue social unrest and distraction from their thuggery. “Bread and circuses” keep the hungry uneducated worker under the thumb of despotic rulers. Whether it is imperial Rome with an emperor defying the Senate, or a communist(political organizer from Chicago) who leads North America. Its all about control, a cult of personality., and power to oppress. The owner of the store is the victim of this crime.
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mtcountrygrl
Aug. 11, 2012 at 11:01amAnd they have the story wrong…Robinhood stole from the government who was overtaxing it’s people and gave the tax money back to the people. He did not steal from the farmer down the street, to give to another hungry family.
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overthecliff
Aug. 11, 2012 at 11:50amWhoever has the most power ets to steal from the others. It has been ever thus. Are you prepared??
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KangarooJack
Aug. 11, 2012 at 9:38amIt would be interesting to find out WHAT was appropriated?
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13th Imam
Aug. 12, 2012 at 10:44amDoritos and cerveza.
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woodyee
Aug. 11, 2012 at 9:31amIf the title of this story has been glommed from titles appearing over this story around our Country, then it’s nothing more than an attempt by the press to stir up the radicals prior to Obammy’s smothering defeat in November.
Comparing these common thieves to a heroic figure will only give rise to the Leftwing-led idiots who’ll think this behavior will gain them public popularity – it most certainly gives the ows types a GREEN LIGHT.
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Independent4233
Aug. 11, 2012 at 10:03amI think the over riding message here to those who closely follow the world-wide economic downturn is that societies are beginning to implode, and the implosion is the result of spending more than they take in with no rainy-day provisions to withstand downward fluctuations in economic conditions.
And that is exactly what Obama has been doing, and he plans to do more of the same if he’s re-elected only with considerably more gusto.
But Spain isn’t the only country that is on the verge. Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Greece are also in immediate dire straits, with France close behind and Britain in trouble as well.
We’re going to see more desperate attempts like this one from here on out. The inundation of third world immigrants, encouraged by the EU elites to serve as tax units and consumers all receive substantial social benefits, which are causing tremendous strain on government payouts, since pensions and salaries for the native populations have been cut back severely or eliminated altogether.
This is causing a severe backlash by European citizens.
Greece has rounded up 6000 illegal immigrants into a holding camp and are deporting them en masse with more round-ups and expulsions occurring on a daily basis, explaining to the world press that they country must do so or they will collapse economically completely.
Look for more of this in the other EU countries as time goes on, which will domino to this country……..soon.
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barber2
Aug. 11, 2012 at 8:33amNoticed the ” Blame the Banks” theme. Same as Obama. The international Left all sing the same sour chorus. And Obama is just a member of their choir , The OWS Anti-Capitalist Singers. Nobama 2012
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lukerw
Aug. 11, 2012 at 2:02amStealing… causes an Increase in Taxes and, or, Prices… and while some may benefit, all suffer in the end… so Old Robin Hood was Poisoned by his Relatives!
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SandyfromChesterfield
Aug. 11, 2012 at 1:23amRobin Hood robbed the government and gave to the people. You have the story wrong.
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barber2
Aug. 11, 2012 at 8:35amAnd Robin Hood did not live in a capitalist society where people could rise in social stays and improve their lot in life. Apples to oranges.
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NOT A CRAZY
Aug. 11, 2012 at 10:46amRobin Hood took THE PEOPLE’s government-stolen money and gave it back to THE PEOPLE. These Leftist are criminals stealing from what I must assume are private enterprises. Robin Hood is no Leftist.
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Pontiac
Aug. 11, 2012 at 12:49am[ left-wing union activists for their alleged role in recent “Robin Hood”-style heists ]
Robin Hood was a left wing union activist?
No. Highly skilled archer and swordsman. Highly skilled people have no reason to devalue their worth by lumping themselves in a unskilled collective…
Robin Hood stole from “Super Markets”?
No. From what I know of the stories he stole from the tax collectors.
Robin Hood gave to the “poor an unemployed”?
No. From what I understand he gave tax money back to peasants oppressed by taxes.
So what part of this was a Robin Hood style heist?
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Gizzy
Aug. 11, 2012 at 12:41amWhen will people finally get it straight that Robin Hood robbed from the evil, over bearing, overtaxing government that thrived at the expense of the peasants labors. He did not steal from the middle class or the business owners because there wasn’t a middle class and the business owners were the peasants!!
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Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Aug. 10, 2012 at 11:09pmSeeds don’t cost that much, why don’t these thieves buy seeds for these poor and unemployed saps so they can grow their own food? It’s not like they are busy doing something else.
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normbal
Aug. 10, 2012 at 11:23pmYeah, like that worked in the failed African hellhole formerly known as Rhodesia.
When the means of production are returned to the hands of the “workers,” (you know, the dependency class of takers) the workers will starve. Every time. Marx kind of missed that one.
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elderbat
Aug. 10, 2012 at 10:52pmProbably coming soon, to a supermarket near you, if we cannot get our country back…scary thought.
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Aug. 11, 2012 at 12:19amBut true if Obama madness is allowed to continue into a second term.
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lassiegirldawn
Aug. 10, 2012 at 10:47pmPoor mixed up souls, they think our Commie In Chief is their Commie In Chief. Just look at all the sheeple that are buying into his commie thinking.
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klatoo
Aug. 10, 2012 at 10:32pmSpanish government should free them and give them a hundred billion dollar loan. Those super market people didn’t build that.
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chips1
Aug. 10, 2012 at 10:31pmI went to college in Spain and lived on a farm. The same thing happened and the activists did the same thing. Just ruined our tortilla fields.
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chips1
Aug. 10, 2012 at 10:40pmActually I was in Tijuana coming out of the grocery store and dropped a bag of guacamole and a car ran over it. But it’s the same thing.
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blackyb
Aug. 10, 2012 at 10:26pmPraying would be a good start. They have left God out of their lives, now this is the result. They rather depend on crime and the government. If the U.S. does ot turn back to God, then this could and likely will happent to those who are not willing to humble themselves and pray and ask for God to come into their hearts and lives. This is what the atheists in your schools are giving you. All good things come from God. The misery comes from the devil.
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Pontiac
Aug. 11, 2012 at 12:59amYeah, you get right on that champ.
http://tinyurl.com/8jxfbj9
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seeker9
Aug. 10, 2012 at 10:15pmSocialism in action. So take from the grocer, no tax to govt and grocer goes out of business because no profit. People get free food (for a short time), no tax to the govt. Roseann Barr (Socialist candidate) thinks Americans should be put to work on farms. Bet she can’t even grow okra. Beats me how Socialists always think they can create utopia.
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elderbat
Aug. 10, 2012 at 10:49pmRoseann Barr is another useful idiot for the Marx crowd.
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Imprimatur
Aug. 11, 2012 at 1:51amThat’s one cow that should be yoked to plow the farmland as an oxen.
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wordweaver
Aug. 10, 2012 at 9:55pmSo, as you say, if the banks are the bad guys in all of this, it makes sense to you to steal from the humble grocers and give the food away? How long is this guy going to stay in business? You are only hastening the total collapse of your screwed up society. Soon you will all be foraging in the fields for food, or heading to Portugal and France. Estupidas!
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Mikev5
Aug. 10, 2012 at 10:22pmPerfect answer these people are fools so go screw some poor grocer out of food destroy his business and maybe it closes up then were do the locals get food now its not like America were a store is on every corner.
These people are crazy at best way to go EU
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The-Monk
Aug. 10, 2012 at 9:54pmWhat was that saying I learned early in school?
Oh yea…. I remember.
The pain in Spain falls mainly on the lame.
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Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Aug. 10, 2012 at 10:12pmOle, Monk, Ole.
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The-Monk
Aug. 10, 2012 at 10:34pm@Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
LOL…. Glad someone liked it. : )
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The-Monk
Aug. 10, 2012 at 10:40pmHi Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra,
Does the mayor remind you of the “Frito Bandito”?
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=frito+bandito&mid=908BD3AF40B0A677773C908BD3AF40B0A677773C&view=detail&FORM=VIRE1
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Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Aug. 11, 2012 at 3:15amSi, the Frido bandito, stealing fridos for all the bambinos. The widows weep the Fritos spilled in the streets. If only the Bandito would stop his war, trying to free all the Fritos, for the Pies.
If only the Fritos were free………..FREE FRITOS OBAMA.
Now we need Fritoscare.
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bdandsl
Aug. 10, 2012 at 9:49pmRobin Hood took from the rich (massive spending, high taxes, corruption – sound familiar?), tyrannical gov’t, never from ‘the people’. As usual, they spin everything to suit their agenda.
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bdandsl
Aug. 10, 2012 at 9:43pmAnd yet, they vote liberals in time and time again.
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Kshirley245
Aug. 10, 2012 at 9:42pmIdiots in jackets
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historyguy48
Aug. 10, 2012 at 9:38pmI wonder what’s going to happen when we can’t send the grain these people need to live on because our crop is coming in so small.
It must make sense to someone, using food for ethanol thats bad for your engine and worse for the ecology.
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Metalstr8jckt
Aug. 11, 2012 at 11:05amThere are still a few 100% petroleum based gasoline stations around. Check internet of stations in your area. I buy dino-oil based whenever possible. There are other plant based alternatives to “Food’ that we should explore. Liberals think renewable is good, always. BTU energy per pound of fuel is not considered in a liberals mind. Hard science and social science don’t intertwine. My engines do not appreciate the absorbed water in the “Food’ fuel. I do not need the “corrosion” in my vehicles fuel system, and the decrease in mileage. Liberal failures never cracked a book but love feel good “science”. (Fact): The majority of California “sierra club enviro’s,” drive 14mpg Suburban/Excursion 4WD type vehicles as inner city commuters. Hypocrisy in action. It’s okay though, they will make environmental policy for the rest of us and need the big vehicle to do studies on adverse impact on wildlife.
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sandy21957
Aug. 10, 2012 at 9:34pmSpanish farmers have had to have security guards protecting their crops and livestock because of the OWS mentality that exists over there. So sad.
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CulperGang
Aug. 11, 2012 at 11:06amFood prices have went up 1000% in America in the last three years. You don’t think you are going to be stealing soon? if this continues??? 1lb-beef=$24.99!!!! $10.00 7 oz Salmon RIGHT. $4.99 = 5lb bag Idaho Potatoes(if you can find it) here in Shoprite! Spain has has food shortage and high prices for years!!! Europe is deliberately starved so they ALL give up their sovereignity and join the EU as one nation. READ Euro news before making stupid comments.
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