Call from 87-Year-Old Evicted Woman in Spain Sparks Housing Protests
The call to action from a hospital bed by 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal, who was removed from her home in Madrid, has triggered massive housing crisis protests joined by thousands across Spain.
A video message published from a hospital bed by 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal—whose apartment door was broken down by police to execute her eviction in Spain's capital, Madrid—has ignited widespread protest demonstrations against the deepening housing crisis in the country.
Call to Fight from a Hospital Bed
Publishing a video message from a hospital bed following her removal from her apartment in Madrid, 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal stated that while she could not defend her own home, she was fighting so that others might learn to fight for their own rights.
This emotional and resolute appeal by the elderly woman, known as Maricarmen, resonated deeply throughout Spain, leading her to become a symbol of the housing crisis.
Thousands Protest on the Streets of Madrid
Following the elderly woman's call, thousands of demonstrators carrying banners and chanting slogans flooded the streets of the capital on Saturday.
Protesters continued their actions by setting up tents in Puerta del Sol square to voice their opposition to soaring housing prices and evictions.
Political Pressures and the Government's Situation
This latest incident and the mass protests in the streets have further increased pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to produce urgent solutions to the housing crisis.
Housing and rental issues in the country continue to remain among the top priorities on the political agenda.