Woman evicted after 70 years

Maricarmen, eighty seven, was forced from her Madrid flat on Wednesday after living there since 1956. Investment firm Urbagestión raised her rent sevenfold.

Rent jumped from 500 to 1,650 euros

Urbagestión cited a legal loophole to raise Maricarmen's rent from five hundred euros to two thousand six hundred fifty euros. Her pension is one thousand three hundred fifty euros monthly.

Supporters gather to block eviction

Hundreds of people, including celebrities Carlos Bardem and Ana Belén, camped outside the building. Activists blocked stairs as police removed protesters with batons.

Maricarmen thanks supporters

In a tearful video, Maricarmen thanked those fighting against what she called a cruel struggle by someone wanting to earn money from her home.

“this cruel struggle by someone who wants to earn money”

Anonymous donor offer rejected

An unnamed donor offered to pay most of Maricarmen's rent, but Urbagestión rejected the offer and proceeded with the eviction on Wednesday.

Madrid rents up 100% in decade

The eviction exposes Spain's housing crisis. Madrid rents have risen more than one hundred percent over ten years, with a ten percent jump in the last year alone.

Government blames speculation

Housing Minister Teresa Rodríguez called it a sad day showing the effects of unbridled speculation. The government says Urbagestión refused attempts to negotiate Maricarmen's situation.

“the effects of unbridled speculation, of not wanting to control the market”