Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets of Madrid on Thursday to pay tribute to Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old pensioner who passed away on Wednesday. Abascal had recently become a prominent figure in the national conversation regarding housing rights following her eviction, which many activists have cited as a symbol of the broader economic struggles facing Spanish citizens.

The demonstration centered on the Puerta del Sol square, a location that has served as the primary hub for housing protests in the capital. While Euronews reports that the march was a direct response to her death, France24 provides additional context, noting that the ongoing housing protests—which have been fueled by Abascal's story—have reached a level of intensity that contributed to the recent calling of early elections in Spain. Both outlets agree on the scale of the turnout and the emotional atmosphere of the event, describing a mix of grief and anger among the participants. Hundreds of protesters continue to camp in the square, maintaining the visibility of the movement as they demand changes to housing policies.