Maricarmen Abascal, an 87‑year‑old Spanish pensioner, has died, according to a statement from a trade union. Abascal became a national symbol after she was forcibly removed from the flat she had occupied for more than seven decades, an eviction that sparked protests across Spain in September.
The eviction took place in September when police and bailiffs lifted Abascal onto a stretcher and carried her out of her long‑term home. The dramatic removal of the elderly resident, who had lived in the same apartment for over 70 years, drew immediate public outcry.
Following the incident, demonstrations erupted in several Spanish cities, with housing activists and trade unions condemning what they described as a harsh and inhumane approach to evictions. The protests highlighted broader concerns about the treatment of elderly tenants and the growing number of forced removals.
The union that issued the statement said Abascal’s death underscores the human cost of Spain’s eviction policies and called for urgent reforms to protect vulnerable renters. It urged authorities to consider more compassionate solutions for seniors facing displacement.
Housing advocates note that Spain has seen a rise in evictions in recent years, prompting increased activism and calls for stronger tenant protections. Abascal’s case remains a touchstone in the ongoing debate over housing rights and social welfare in the country.
<small>Source: BBC News — read the original story there.</small>
