Maricarmen Abascal, evicted at 87 years old: "We haven't been able to save my house, but please, keep fighting"
The Spanish government orders the National Police to investigate the actions of the 200 agents who participated in the eviction
BarcelonaLast Wednesday, Maricarmen Abascal was forced to leave what had been her home for more than seventy years. She left on an emergency stretcher, unable to collect her belongings and exhausted, with high levels of anxiety after having experienced four eviction attempts at 87 years old. Social movements have turned the case of this Madrid woman into a symbol of the serious housing problem affecting Spain. The Ombudsman has also stated that her story illustrates the shortcomings in the protection of vulnerable people against residential eviction, especially in large cities.
"I haven't managed to defend my home, but I have fought so that others learn to fight for theirs," stated Maricarmen Abascal this Friday, from her room at the Gregorio Marañón Hospital, where she was taken by ambulance on the day of the eviction. In a video published by the Madrid Tenants' Union on social media, the woman wanted to thank the support received before, during, and after the eviction: "They haven't left me alone for even a second. I am their family and they are mine," she said, visibly moved, regarding the union activists and other young people who defended her –whom she refers to as "children"–, and her lawyer.
"My house has been my life and now I have to leave it behind, but that does not mean that I will not continue fighting. We have not been able to save my house, but please, continue fighting", continued Maricarmen Abascal. The 87-year-old woman has asked that "the problem with vulture funds be eliminated once and for all" and has reminded that a demonstration has been called for this Saturday at the Puerta del Sol so that "there are no more cases" like hers.
Investigation into police action
On the other hand, this Friday the Spanish government delegation in Madrid ordered the Chief of the National Police in Madrid, Javier Galván, to investigate the police action during the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal given the "images that were not liked" of the response of some agents to the protesters.
This was announced by delegate Francisco Martín in an interview with Servimedia, in which he made it clear that the "vast majority" of people who gathered in front of Maricarmen's home did so peacefully. Although he acknowledged that "moments of tension" were experienced in which, "excited," some activists attacked the security forces, who had to respond, he added: "We have also been able to see images that we did not like in relation to some response by some police agents".
More than 200 agents participated in the eviction operation of the octogenarian on Alcalde Sainz de Baranda street, in the Retiro district. The National Police filed 209 sanction proposals under the citizen security law, but no arrests were made.