By Paul Mayow
Austerity measures in Spain mean times are tough for a broad section of the population.
But the mayor of Marinaleda, a tiny northern town, has become a hero to millions with his rather unorthodox rescue package.
Sanchez Gordillo and his band of merry men have become cult heroes in Spain for their Robin Hood-like response to the government's austerity measures: stealing, and giving away the proceeds.
Mr Gordillo says it’s only fair.
“The German banks and the Spanish government are the real robbers. They robbed the money of the poor to support the rich and help the banks. I just want to oppose them by my behaviour”.
And Mr Gordillo has plenty of support amongst people hit hardest by the country's economic woes.
But critics aren't so enamoured. They question whether the town's elected lawmaker can be both Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham.
As a member of the regional parliament he’s got immunity, but seven of his fellow unionists have been arrested.
And now Mr Gordillo is looking to make the most of his notoriety. He’s leading around 500 people on a three week march across the country in a bid to embarrass the government and reinvigorate the anti-austerity movement.
“We will occupy banks because they are responsible for this crisis and some of them [bankers] should be in jail,” he says.
And who knows, as his own legend grows this modern day Robin Hood could be on target to achieve his dreams...
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