An eviction and its protagonist became a symbol of the struggle for housing

The death of Maricarmen Abascalhas given even more meaning to his status as a symbol in favour of the right to housing and in the fight against evictions.

The eviction of the 87-year-old woman was the beginning of the camping camp at the Puerta del Sol in Madrid, where Gregorio Marañón had been admitted since 23 September, when he was evicted on a stretcher from his home on Mayor Sainz de Baranda Street, where he had resided for 71 years, despiteprotests, following an eviction order.

Despite being hospitalized, Maricarmen continuedto post videos calling for further fighting for improvements in housing, a fight that was witnessed by theUnion of Tenants  , which the following day held its first mass demonstration in front of the attic of Chamberi acquired by the Community of Madrid, followed by the massive demonstration that took place on 26 September in the streets of Madrid before the start of the camp to demand the 'decree of Maricarmes' at the Puerta del Sol.

A few weeks later, this camp continues in the central square of Madrid, with no date set for the lifting of shops, even though one of its main demands is theholdingof a general strike on 11November .

In addition, the rejection by Congress of the two housing decrees approved by the Spanish Government ledto an electoral advance to 29 November\ u00A0. After the dissolution of theCourts, the Permanent Council will decide whether to validate or repeal .

The spirit and proclamations of this camp have spread to other cities, with mass demonstrations and housing in the midst of public debate.

He didn't give her time to go home.

While this wave of protests was taking place, Maricamen's lawyers lawyers reached an agreement with Urbagestión, the owner of the property, to return home through the mediation of the Municipal Housing and Land Company (EMVS Madrid), which provided for a new eight-year lease and an income not exceeding 30% of net income.

However, the agreement came too late and Maricarmen has not been able to return home "after a torturing trial", in the words of the Tenants' Union.

"After his departure, we have been left withthe legacy and example of struggle left by Maricarmen and, above all, we will comply with what he always demanded of us: 'Fight, continue fighting for you,' "the union said in a statement.

Maricarmen had been living in this apartment since 1956, and the old income contract was signed by his father and then subrogated to him.

Urbagestion acquired the building in 2018 and went to court on the grounds that the lease had expired, a first ruling proved Maricarmen right, but the Territorial Court later ruled in favour of the owners and the Supreme Court rejected the appeal filed by his defense in December 2023.

Eviction In the fourth attempt , despite hundreds of people spending the night in front of the building and trying to prevent it, 87-year-old Maricarmen, 50% disabled, was taken on a stretcher by Samur toilets to Gregorio Marañón Hospital, where he died on October 7.