Protests, debate follow death of Maricarmen, 87, Spain protest symbol

Thousands of Spaniards protested outside Spain’s parliament after the death of Maria del Carmen Abascal, the 87-year-old woman whose eviction ignited nationwide protests and sparked a snap general election . Meanwhile, tributes to Abascal were debated within the legislature as lawmakers accused each other of exploiting the case ahead of the election. Maricarmen Abascal died on Wednesday after being hospitalised for severe anxiety and exhaustion since her eviction on a stretcher from her Madrid home on September 23. While in the hospital, she reached a deal to return to her home but died before she could return. No cause of death has been announced. “They killed her through heartbreak,” Diana, a demonstrator, told Al Jazeera.