Spain: Mass Encampment Fills Madrid's Puerta del Sol in Protest Over Soaring Rents & Eviction of 87-Year-Old.

Madrid, Spain - September 30, 2026 Protesters and housing activists have erected a massive tent encampment across Madrid's iconic central plaza, Puerta del Sol, to rally against escalating rental costs, real estate speculation, and housing insecurity in Spain. The demonstration was sparked by the high-profile eviction of 87-year-old María del Carmen "Maricarmen" Abascal, who was forcibly removed from her home of more than 70 years in Madrid's Retiro neighborhood after her landlord raised the rent beyond her fixed pension. Organized by the Madrid Tenants' Union (Sindicato de Inquilinas) and allied housing collectives, activists set up hundreds of tents and blue plastic tarpaulins in front of the regional government headquarters (Real Casa de Correos) to demand comprehensive rent controls, an end to vulture fund speculation, and emergency housing protections. This footage package contains high-angle master shots showing the scale of the plaza encampment, detail shots of banners reading "Acabemos con el Rentismo" (Let's end rentierism), mock real estate listings posted by activists, and satirical artwork criticizing local political leadership.