Dozens Of Tents Take Over Madrid Square In Protest Sparked By Eviction Of 87-Year-Old Woman

Dozens of colorful tents filled Madrid’s main square as protesters continued an encampment sparked by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman who had lived in her apartment for more than 70 years.

The video was filmed by X user Luis Alcázar on the morning of September 28, 2026. Red, purple, gray, green and beige tents covered the square, with people walking between the shelters, sitting nearby and gathering in small groups.

Flags and banners were scattered throughout the camp, while the statue of Carlos III and the large Tío Pepe sign stood above the surrounding buildings.

The encampment began after a large march the previous Saturday. Activists from the Madrid Tenants Union and supporters were demanding emergency housing measures to stop evictions of vulnerable people, freeze rents and make rental contracts indefinite.

The protest was triggered by the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen from her Madrid apartment, where she had lived for more than 70 years.

Later that day, mediators from Madrid’s municipal housing company helped reach an agreement allowing Maricarmen to return under a new rental contract capped at 30 percent of her income.

The camp continued as the Spanish government prepared to discuss the broader housing measures.