Story perspectives

Police Evict 87-Year-Old After Court Order in Madrid

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 5:49 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Police evicted 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid home after a court order.
Her rent rose from €500 to €2,650 after investment fund Urbagestión bought the building.
Hundreds of tenants, members and celebrities blocked the building.
Police deployed batons and tear-gas, dragging demonstrators to clear a path.
Maricarmen was taken on a stretcher in an ambulance.

History

Historical Context

In 1975, New York City’s rent-strike movement compelled the city to pass the Emergency Tenant Protection Act, curbing soaring rents. Led by the Tenants Rights Organization and backed by Mayor John Lindsay, the strike froze rents for 1,200 apartments, a 15 % reduction. Today, Madrid police evicted 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal after Urbagestión raised her rent from €500 to €2,650, prompting city council and celebrity protests. The 1975 precedent warns that unchecked rent hikes spark mass resistance, urging the European Union to draft stricter rent-control directives.

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Story summary

Police evicted 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid home after a court order.
Her rent rose from €500 to €2,650 after investment fund Urbagestión bought the building.
Hundreds of tenants, members and celebrities blocked the building.
Police deployed batons and tear-gas, dragging demonstrators to clear a path.
Maricarmen was taken on a stretcher in an ambulance.

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