Editor’s note: Kara O’Brien writes for the Harry Potter Alliance.
The best stories are those that change the world, and our pal Robin Hood has been fighting against corruption and economic inequality since the Middle Ages.
Now he’s championing a new Financial Transaction Tax (FTT): a small tax of 0.05% on transactions like stocks and bond, foreign currencies, and derivatives.
Our partners at Oxfam support the Robin Hood Tax because up to 25% of the funds from the tax will be allocated to help poor people and combat climate change. Since the projected amount gained from this tax is around £250 billion (that’s more than $416 billion), we’re talking about some serious change (no pun intended). The tax is currently supported by eleven European countries, over 1000 economists and global leaders, like President Hollande of France and Chancellor Merkel of Germany.
Last week Oxfam released 2024: The Future News, a speculative news broadcast from the year 2024 the looks at the favorable outcomes of implementing the tax. Harry Potter fans will recognize the leading stars: Rufus Scrimgeour (Bill Nighy) and Fleur Delacour (Clémence Poésy).
The film was directed by David Yates (director of several Harry Potter films), who said “I agreed to direct the film because the Robin Hood Tax is a simple yet brilliant idea. We need to learn the lessons of the financial crisis and ensure that banks and hedge funds work in the interests of society not the other way around.”
Ironically, even Draco Malfoy himself came out in favor of the tax last week:
A few years ago, I said that the @robinhood tax made sense. Now it's actually happening! http://t.co/RrMI9DeYfe
— Tom Felton (@TomFelton) February 19, 2014
Oxfam International has joined forces with a number of other large charities to create RobinHoodPetition.org, where people can learn about the tax and sign a petition to support it.
With over 650,000 supporters to date, the governments discussing the tax are sure to be feeling the pressure of the public eye as they discuss its implementation. Now, the tax is even being suggested in America, but it’s going to take a lot of support to get it approved. Learn more about the campaign at the Robin Hood Tax site and join the fight!