'They killed her': Evicted pensioner who sparked Spain housing protests dies
The 87-year-old whose eviction last month sparked nationwide protests in Spain has died. Maricarmen Abascal was evicted from her home of more than 70 years last month, after it was bought by an investment fund. After news of her passing, some who took to the streets say they believe her death was brought on by the stress of the eviction.
Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old Madrid resident, died in a hospital after being evicted from the home she had lived in her entire life. The Madrid pensioner became a symbol of Spain's housing struggle following her eviction on September 23rd. Despite an agreement reached with mediation from the Madrid City Council, Maricarmen remained in the hospital since the eviction and did not return to her flat in the Retiro district.
Her case drew widespread attention and sparked national outrage, galvanizing housing campaigners. The eviction was the fourth attempt, following protests by hundreds of people trying to prevent it. Images of her removal from the building sparked anger across Spain and highlighted the complex legal dispute over her decades-old tenancy.
The Madrid Tenants' Union described Maricarmen's experience as "torturous" and "completely avoidable," emphasizing the personal cost of the public debate over housing rights. Her fight for her lifelong home became a cause far beyond her own front door, leaving housing campaigners mourning her loss.
Written by urgent.news from The Leader's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Maricarmen, 87, whose eviction shook Spain, dies in hospital gulfnews.com
- Maricarmen Dies in Hospital After Eviction That Shocked Spain theleader.info
- Timeline of the Maricarmen case: From four eviction attempts to a housing movement that shook Spain english.elpais.com
- Maricarmen, the 87-year-old woman whose eviction shook Spain, dies france24.com
- Death of 87-year-old Maricarmen is reenergizing Spain’s protests to stop evictions winnipegfreepress.com
