Arrest warrants out for Robin Hood mayor

 

Two men who were arrested for their part in an organised raid on a supermarket in Seville earlier this week have been released on bail pending further inquiries. The two men, both members of the Andalusian Union of Workers (SAT), face charges of robbery with violence and public disorder.

The raid took place at a Mercadona, Ecija, and was planned mayor neighbouring village, Marinaleda, who also led a group of workers to occupy land owned by the Ministry of Defence in Osuna 17 days ago.

"I have no problem in answering for my actions," Gordillo said yesterday when asked about the charges he faces, "All we did was make a symbolic and peaceful gesture. The crisis has a face and a name. There are many families who can't afford to eat." The two workers were also ordered not to go within 300 meters of the Mercadona supermarket. Their lawyer criticized the manner in which his clients were arrested and said they had been treated by police as dangerous criminals.

Pedro Romero, mayor of nearby Espera, also participated in a second raid on a supermarket in Arcos de la Frontera. He told news agencies Thursday that he had informed the Civil Guard he would be in his office if an order for his arrest was issued.

Stating he was not worried about such a turn of events, Romero said he did not glorify the raids but neither would he "bow his head," vowing to continue to act on behalf of the "least fortunate." The Popular Party, meanwhile, has promised legal action after SAT posted the party logo on its website with a swastika superimposed on it with the slogan: "With the PP, we are returning to Francoism."