87-Year-Old Evicted by Police After Fund Rejects All Offers

MADRID — An 87-year-old woman was evicted from her home in Madrid on Wednesday morning after a large police operation removed hundreds of activists who had tried to stop the expulsion. Maricarmen, who has become a symbol of Spain's housing crisis, was carried out of her apartment on a stretcher shortly before 1:00 p.m. and taken to Gregorio Marañón Hospital. It was the fourth eviction attempt she had faced in recent months. The judicial commission arrived at 9:30 a.m. at the building on Alcalde Sainz de Baranda street in the Retiro district. More than 200 activists had been gathered since the night before, according to the Tenants' Union (Sindicato de Inquilinas), which coordinated the protests. The union accused police of using pepper spray during the operation. Police began forcing their way into the building after 11:30 a.m., removing protesters one by one. By 12:30 p.m., officers and a locksmith had reached Maricarmen's apartment to carry out the eviction order. Outside, hundreds of people protested. Some evicted activists were in tears, calling their treatment "a disgrace." Witnesses said some were dragged or carried out by officers, and some showed signs of fainting. The Tenants' Union said at least 40 activists were identified by police. The demonstration remained peaceful throughout, according to those present. More than a dozen police vans were positioned between officers and protesters. The evicted activists had been part of an overnight camp supporting Maricarmen. Public figures including actors Ana Belén, Inés Hernand, Marwán, Juan Diego Botto and Carlos Bardem visited the site to show their opposition to the eviction. Protesters chanted slogans including "Madrid will be the grave of rentism" and "shame," as well as messages directed at police: "She could be your mother, she could be your grandmother." Police also removed journalists from the area, which the Tenants' Union called "an attack on freedom of expression." Government delegation sources in Madrid said the media exclusion was ordered by the court and that the police operation followed judicial instructions. Press were eventually allowed to approach but kept at least 20 meters from the building. The same sources said their department does not direct the operation and is "against this eviction." **Fund Rejected Final Offer** The Tenants' Union reported that Urbagestión, the real estate fund that owns the property, had rejected the final mediation offer to stop the eviction. Maricarmen had been paying 500 euros per month under an old rent contract. The company wanted to raise this to 2,650 euros. An anonymous writer offered on Tuesday to cover the rent increase, but the property owner did not accept this offer either. The Samur Social emergency service was present and accompanied police into Maricarmen's home. She was later transferred by ambulance. Madrid City Hall is required to offer her alternative housing and says it has done so. Social Services sources said they issued a vulnerability report in October 2025 at the court's request and offered various housing options, "but she has expressly refused when offered a place." The sources said the elderly woman chose to stay with relatives after leaving the hospital. Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida confirmed the Samur Social offer, calling Maricarmen's situation a "drama" but stating that "court orders must be obeyed." **Protest Called for Wednesday Evening** The Tenants' Union has called a protest for 7:00 p.m. Wednesday in front of a penthouse apartment purchased by the Madrid regional government under President Isabel Díaz Ayuso. Alicia del Río, a spokesperson for the organization, explained the location: "We live in a city and region governed by and for vulture funds, for speculation. The Ayuso government makes rentist laws so those who hoard housing can profit while destroying our lives, as they have done with Maricarmen's." She added: "We hold Ayuso primarily responsible for this eviction, while she laughs in our face buying a penthouse with our money. But Ayuso's penthouse is for Maricarmen. Public money is for the right to housing, for everyone." Del Río also criticized the national government of Pedro Sánchez and its parliamentary partners, asking why they continue to support a government that "cannot stop this." **Housing Decree Stalled** The Tenants' Union said the Council of Ministers could stop the eviction immediately by approving a housing decree that has been stalled for months due to lack of parliamentary support. Health Minister Mónica García supported the call, demanding that the housing decree be brought to the Council of Ministers next week. "The PSOE cannot keep delaying it. PP, Junts and Vox cannot vote against it again," she posted on social media. "No more evicted Maricarmens, no more vulture fund owners making their law of the jungle our rights."