Eviction of 87-year-old sparks protests in Madrid over housing crisis
Protesters in Madrid are occupying the Puerta del Sol plaza to demand stronger tenant protections following the eviction of an 87-year-old woman. The movement is calling for a ban on evictions and new laws to address Spain's ongoing housing crisis.
Why it matters
The protest reflects a growing global trend of civil unrest driven by rising housing costs and the perceived failure of government policies to protect vulnerable tenants.
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 — including multigenerational families — joined them on Sunday for a second day of protests over Spain's housing crisis.
Economy It's getting harder to afford rent in the U.S., even for middle-income families Tens of thousands marched through Madrid on Saturday to protest the eviction of María del Carmen Abascal from the apartment in the upscale Retiro neighborhood where she had lived for more than seven decades.
The demonstrators are demanding stronger tenant protections, measures to combat fraud and a ban on evictions when alternative housing is unavailable.
Many refused to leave after Saturday's march and pitched tents in Puerta del Sol for the night.
Also covering this story
3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
87-year-old woman's eviction from Madrid apartment sparks protest against Spain's housing crisis
Eviction of 87-year-old puts Spain’s deepening housing crisis in the spotlight
Spain housing crisis: Thousands seek tenant protections after eviction of 87-year-old
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