MADRID: Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old Spanish woman whose eviction last month sparked mass protests over the country’s housing crisis, has died, the Madrid tenants’ union said Wednesday.
Abascal had been hospitalized with severe anxiety and exhaustion after police and social workers removed her from her home of more than 70 years on September 23.
Thousands of protesters marched through Madrid following news of her death, chanting, “This is not a death. It’s a murder!” Her cause of death was not disclosed. Protests were also held in Barcelona.
The demonstrations, along with parliament’s rejection of measures aimed at limiting evictions and rent pressures, have intensified debate over Spain’s housing crisis. Trade unions have also announced a nationwide general strike for November 11.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed condolences, while opposition leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo called for Abascal’s death not to be politicised.