Thousands march in Madrid to protest Spain’s housing crisis after eviction of 87-year-old woman
The march reflected anger over soaring rents, a 550,000-home shortage and calls for a ban on evictions without alternative housing, organizers said.
- Protesters occupied Madrid's Puerta del Sol with roughly 100 tents on Saturday, demanding housing reforms following the eviction last week of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her home of 70 years.
- A real estate firm raised Abascal's rent by 275 percent to €2,650 , forcing her eviction; activists blame investment funds and short-term rentals like Airbnb for driving up housing prices across Madrid.
- Campaigners demand lifelong rental contracts and increased public housing, warning they will reject the government's 'Maricarmen decree' if it offers only partial measures. Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is expected to approve the package at the next cabinet meeting.
- Demonstrators including Sergio, a 28-year-old NGO employee, remain skeptical of government intentions, vowing to stay 'as long as necessary.' Police have shown little sign of forcibly removing the encampment.
- Protesters insist they 'won't be satisfied with crumbs,' seeking deep structural reforms to a housing market they argue favors landlords. Tennis instructor Alberto Macias calls Abascal's eviction 'the final straw,' pledging sustained pressure.
348 Articles
348 Articles
Eviction of 87-Year-Old Sparks Ongoing Protest in Madrid
Protesters outraged by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman camped overnight in Madrid's historic Puerta del Sol plaza, where more demonstrators—included multigeneral families—joined them on Sunday for a second day of protests over Spain's housing crisis. Tens of thousands marched through Madrid on Saturday to protest the eviction...
In large parts of Spain, people have taken to the streets to demand better protection for tenants. Hundreds of people have set up a tent camp in a square in the center of Madrid. Yesterday, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in the capital in protest. The reason is the much-discussed eviction of an 87-year-old disabled woman. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced a package of measures. It remains to be seen whether thes…
The Batesville Daily Guard
Eviction of 87-year-old sparks encampment protest in Madrid over housing crisis
Protesters packed Madrid’s historic Puerta del Sol plaza on Sunday after camping there overnight, extending demonstrations over Spain’s housing crisis into a second day. Tens of thousands marched through the capital on Saturday to protest the eviction of 87-year-old María…
The expulsion of a senior woman from her apartment brings Spain to the streets. Zen thousands of people protested in Madrid alone. The government under Sánchez wants to bring a new housing package through the parliament.
After her eviction, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said it was a "social tragedy" that could not be accepted and announced new measures.
Tourists and passers-by walk around, take pictures, buy an ice cream, head to the subway... and a few meters away, in the heart of Madrid, hundreds of housing rights activists prepare their camp to stay as long as necessary to advance their cause.
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