An 87-year-old Spanish woman has become the face of the fight for affordable housing after she was evicted from her home on a stretcher, given just 30 minutes to gather her belongings. María del Carmen Abascal's eviction sparked protests across Madrid, turning her into a symbol of a long-running housing rights movement.
What happened during the eviction
The eviction of María del Carmen Abascal, known as 'Maricarmen', took place after she was given half an hour to collect her possessions. The Guardian's European community affairs correspondent, Ashifa Kassam, explained how the incident unfolded and led to widespread demonstrations in the Spanish capital.
Impact on Spain's housing movement
The protests that followed her eviction highlighted the deepening housing crisis in Spain. The case has drawn attention to the broader issues of renting property, social housing, and the challenges faced by residents in securing affordable accommodation.
Maricarmen has since become a symbol of the housing rights movement, with her story resonating across the country and underscoring the urgent need for solutions to Spain's housing affordability problems.
