Protesters and supporters gathered in Madrid on Thursday to pay tribute to 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal, known as Maricarmen, whose eviction from her longtime home sparked protests across Spain. She died in hospital on Wednesday.
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Flowers, candles and messages were left at an improvised memorial as demonstrators vowed to continue their fight for affordable housing and greater protection against evictions.
For many protesters, Maricarmen had become a symbol of Spain’s housing crisis. Her death has strengthened their resolve, with some describing it as a result of a system that leaves vulnerable people without adequate protection.
“We must continue,” said 24-year-old demonstrator Guillermo Martín, echoing calls from protesters to keep up the pressure for change.
