The Spanish capital became the center of intense unrest this week after a lifelong resident was forced from her home. Protests escalated into citywide marches on Friday as thousands of people joined calls to return the keys of a residence to its former tenant. Security forces used pepper spray, tear gas and batons to disperse demonstrators who had camped outside the building overnight, after an initial gathering of 500 people at the site of the removal.

The protests follow the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, an 87 year old woman with a disability who lived in the apartment for 71 years. Developer Urbagestión raised her rent from €500 to between €1,650 and €2,650 per month, an amount that exceeds her €1,350 monthly pension. Spanish authorities carried the woman out on a stretcher following four eviction attempts, despite an appeal from the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to halt the process and secure housing for her.