On the morning of May 19th, the Spanish civic association Hazte Oír unfurled a massive 253-square-meter banner directly across from the Congress in Madrid. The banner featured a single, bold word: “CORRUPT”, next to an image of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez styled to resemble mafia boss Vito Corleone from The Godfather. Below were listed multiple ongoing judicial investigations involving Sánchez’s inner circle—including his wife, his brother, a former minister, and even the country’s attorney general.
The banner, which was installed with proper permits on a privately owned building undergoing renovations, quickly sparked political controversy. That same day, the Socialist Party (PSOE), which leads Spain’s coalition government, filed a legal complaint citing defamation. In less than 24 hours, a Madrid court issued a judicial order mandating the immediate removal of the banner.
Overnight, Spanish firefighters, escorted by national police, dismantled the display in a covert operation that Hazte Oír described as carried out with “treachery.” The group insists the campaign was a legitimate exercise of political expression protected by Spain’s democratic constitution.
Judge behind order has controversial history
The judicial order was signed by Arturo Zamarriego Fernández, a magistrate known for previous rulings that raised concerns about press freedom in Spain. In 2016, he supported police efforts to raid the newsroom of OKDIARIO, a Spanish investigative outlet, in a case later condemned for violating journalist protections. He also attempted to block publication of the Football Leaks revelations involving tax evasion by international football stars a move strongly opposed by Spain’s journalistic community.
In his latest decision, Judge Zamarriego argued that the banner’s message and location “exceeded acceptable limits of free speech” and constituted an attack on the reputation of a public figure. He also cited the website elcapo.org, created to accompany the campaign, and noted that the display’s strategic placement—directly facing the national legislature—increased its impact.
For Hazte Oír, the ruling is a clear overreach and a violation of constitutional rights. “We complied with all legal and administrative requirements,” said Javier María Pérez-Roldán, the association’s lawyer. “What bothers the government is not the format, but the truth: that corruption scandals are surrounding the President.” Hazte Oír has announced plans to appeal the decision.
Backlash and viral support across Spain
While the government claims the removal was necessary to prevent defamation, the rapid judicial response has sparked public outrage. Prominent opposition figures and civil society groups have condemned what they describe as an act of political censorship.
Far from silencing dissent, the removal of the banner has propelled the campaign into national and international headlines. Images of police removing the banner have dominated television news, and the campaign has gone viral on social media, with hashtags related to Sánchez and corruption trending for hours.
Hazte Oír reports receiving thousands of requests from Spanish citizens who want to display the poster in their homes or businesses. The group is now printing and distributing copies nationwide.
“Our message is simple,” the association declared: “Hazte Oír gives voice to millions of Spaniards. This is what Sánchez never wanted to see.”
