Demanding #QuerellaPaRato

Jun 04

Web Only

Demanding #QuerellaPaRato

Spanish citizens use crowdfunding to take economic justice into their own hands.

A picture of former Spanish bank Bankia president Rodrigo Rato is seen at the bottom of a basket during an anti-eviction protest outside a branch in Madrid, June 1, 2012. REUTERS/Andrea Comas

Using hashtag #QuerellaPaRato ("Lawsuit for Rato"), netizens are demanding a trial of Rodrigo Rato, the former chairman of one of Spain's largest banks. Rato resigned as Executive Chairman of Bankia after the bank's near-collapse and subsequent bailout in May, but so far he has not faced any legal charges.

In the first 12 hours of the campaign, organisers reported that dozens of Bankia shareholders, as well as former employees, agreed to testify against Rato in a lawsuit. According to a survey by Spanish paper El País, 91% of respondents want an investigation of Rato's management of Bankia.

Here are some highlights from around the web:

View the story "Demanding #QuerellaPaRato" on StorifyDemanding #QuerellaPaRatoSpanish citizens use crowdfunding to take economic justice into their own hands.Storified by The Stream · Mon, Jun 04 2012 15:16:25#15m activists will sue #RodrigoRato former president of IMF and #Bankia, a bank that demands 23 billions of public money #QuerellaPaRatoacampadabcn_intNo tenemos ninguna fe en la justicia. 1ª trampa q debe superar #QuerellaPaRato es económica. Sin dinero no hay justicia http://15mparato.wordpress.com/campana-legal/15MpaRatoTranslation: "We have no faith in our justice system. First obstacle #QuerellaPaRato needs to overcome is economic. Without money, there is no justice."Organisers asked supporters to donate their own funds to a crowdfunding campaign, which will begin on June 5. Filing the lawsuit will cost an estimated €15,000. Los responsables de esta crisis, que quieren que paguemos por ellos con nuestras vidas, tienen nombres y apellidos y deben pagar por sus actos.En la guerra de los de arriba contra los de abajo, el miedo ha cambiado de bando.Translation: "Those responsible for this crisis, who want us to pay for them with our lives, have names and last names and should pay for their actions. In the war between the [haves and have-nots], fear has switched sides."¿Tienes unos eurillos sueltos? Na, pa entrullar a Rato. Mañana arranca campaña en @goteofunding. http://15mparato.wordpress.com/campana-legal #QuerellapaRatoRoberto HerrerosTranslation: "Do you have spare euros? To put Rato in prison. The campaign launches tomorrow on @gateofunding."On June 1, members of the "laioflautas" movement simultaneously occupied Bankia offices in five cities across Spain, demanding Rato's trial and calling for the establishment of a public bank. The video below shows the Iaioflautas in Barcelona.#IaioflautasPaRato. Los iaioflautas ocupan Bankia (Barcelona)photooscarMugshot-style images of Bankia executives circulated online, along with a hashtag calling for a "Financial Nuremberg" trial against the 15 "banksters."125 millones en indemnizaciones para 15 #Banksters. Los rostros (de cemento) del 1% #NurembergFinanciero @15MpaRato http://pic.twitter.com/0rKSMp1OFrancisco JuradoSome criticised not only Rato, but the political system that they felt had allowed him to avoid consequences from the bailout.#QuerellaPaRato not only challenges bank executives, they challenge govt. institutions giving executives impunity. #AJStream @lockeDavid FerreiraMientras los políticos discuten sobre inútiles comisiones de investigación el #15m ya tiene #Querellaparato,manjenetTranslation: "While the politicians discuss useless inquiry commissions, the 15 May movement already has a lawsuit against Rato."@ccarnicero Este país es bananero pero maquillado para parecer democrático.Marcos de OlayaTranslation: "This country is backward but covered up to appear democratic."@ccarnicero @fanigrande Indignante que ni gobierno ni nuevo director de Bankia quieran buscar a los culpables, sino pasar pág. #AlBankilloBlogSOStenibleTranslation: "Infuriating that neither the government nor the new director of Bankia want to seek those responsible, but rather turn the page."In the same statement that announced the legal campaign, organisers asked:Bankia no dura ni dos años; ¿Cómo puede ser que #RR deje su cargo sin más, a toda prisa y recibiendo una indemnización millonaria (2,1 millones) sin que nadie haya preguntado institucionalmente absolutamente nada antes, nadie haya pedido ninguna explicación, nadie haya exigido ninguna investigación? La clase política española está de acuerdo en tapar cualquier cosa que haya podido suceder y, lo más preocupante, volverá a hacerlo."Bankia did not last even two years; how is it that Rodrigo Rato leaves his position, hastily and receiving millions in compensations without anyone in an institution having asked nothing before, without anyone asking for an explanation, and nobody asking for an investigation? The Spanish political class is complicit in covering up anything that could have happened, and even more troubling, will continue to do so."
The cartoon cover of this Spanish satirical weekly reads: "He who does it does not pay."La portada de El Jueves muy al pelo: http://twitpic.com/9spdmp #QuerellaPaRatoÁngel The organisers of the campaign promised to account for the money they will receive, saying, "We don't want to be like [the bankers]!"Obviamente mañana, 9am, con el @goteofunding explicaremos a donde va a ir hasta el último euro #QuerellaPaRato ¡No queremos ser como ellos!15MpaRatoThe campaign is the latest development in a series of ongoing protests against Bankia. In this video from May 24, protesters performed in a Bankia branch.flo6x8: Bankia, pulmones y branquias (bulerías)flo6x8

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