Maricarmen Abascal had lived in an apartment in the Spanish capital for more than 70 years. After a sharp rent increase, she could no longer afford to stay. On Wednesday, the 87-year-old wheelchair user was carried from her flat on a stretcher and taken to hospital. Police had attempted to evict her before that.
Protests took place during and after the eviction. On Saturday, demonstrators marched through central Madrid, demanding measures to curb rising housing costs and make forced evictions more difficult. One banner read: “You could be the next Maricarmen.”
Turnout estimates differed substantially. Authorities put the crowd at about 25,000, while organisers said 300,000 people took part. The published report did not include an independent estimate to verify either figure.
Abascal’s case became a focus for a wider debate about housing affordability and tenant protections. Protesters called for steps to limit the pressure of rising housing costs and strengthen protections against eviction.