Spanish supermarket thieves: Robin Hoods or robbing hoods?

Can stealing be justified when unemployment soars? For some jobless Spanish field workers, the answer is ‘yes’. Unemployed activists and union members stormed into two supermarkets, one in Ecija (Sevilla) and one in Arcos de la Frontera (Cadiz) to fill up trolleys with basic food supplies in order to feed the disadvantaged.

This act was organized by the Sindicato Andaluz de Trabajadores (SAT).

“At this moment of crisis, when the town is being expropriated, we want to expropriate the expropriators, that is, landlords, banks, and the big supermarkets who are earning money in the middle of an economic crisis. The town can’t pay for broken plates when there are people who’ve got no food,” one syndicate representative said.
 

The incident has not only created a buzz on social networking websites, but has also made the interior minister take strict action, ordering the immediate arrest of all involved in the theft.

According to the minister, Fernandez Diaz, the political leaders who are leading and encouraging this type of action are acting irresponsibly and will be held accountable. He also stressed that no one is allowed to violate the law by stealing from supermarkets and physically attacking employees.

The association has organised a March on August 16 to push forward their demands for an employment plan.
 

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