Hundreds defied strict coronary restrictions in London to honor Sarah Everard. She was reported missing on March 3. She was then on her way home on foot after visiting a friend in an apartment in south London.
The case has attracted a great deal of attention, and British police have expressed shock and anger that one of their own has been arrested for the murder.
The case has also accelerated the national debate on violence against women. Many women have shared their own experiences of threats and attacks on social media when they have been out on a trip.
Corona canceled memorial service
Met up despite coronary restrictions
The initiators of a celebration on Saturday under the slogan “Reclaim the Streets” had to abandon the plans, after a judge did not want to give them an exemption from strict infection control rules.
The organizers then encouraged people to donate money to organizations that work for women’s rights, and asked people to light candles outside the door rather than attend large events.
Many still showed up in the Clapham area, near the place where Everard was last seen before she disappeared and was later found dead. Among those who stopped by was Duchess Kate, Prince Williams’ wife. Many laid down flowers.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday he planned to light candles in memory of Everard with his fiancée Carrie Symond.
Several taken away by the police
During the evening, however, there was a confrontation between those present and the police, who tried to get the crowd to leave the place.
– The collection at Clapham Common is unsafe. Hundreds are gathered close together in a breach of the rules, which poses a health hazard. We encourage people to go home and thank those who leave the place, the police in Lambeth inform Twitter.
Pictures on social media show that the police are holding back and handcuffing several people.
A video shows several women being arrested, while spectators shout “shame on you” and “let them go” to the police. In the video, the women are taken into a police car and driven away, reports BBC.
Policeman arrested after disappearance
Gets criticism
The police’s handling of the commemoration has garnered criticism from politicians from both sides of the political landscape, writes Sky News.
Labor leader Keir Starmer signs on Twitter that it was “deeply disturbing” to see what was happening in Clapham.
– Women came to mourn Sarah Everard – they should have done so in a peaceful meeting, he writes further.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan calls police handling “unacceptable”.
– The police are responsible for enforcing the covid rules, but from the pictures it is clear that the reaction was at times neither appropriate nor proportionate, tweets they have.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey believes the police response was so bad that he demands that Metropolitan Police Chief Cressida Dick resign, according to Sky News.
Minister of the Interior Priti Patel says she has asked for a “full report” from the police about what happened.
Detained
The Danish-born TV personality Sandi Toksvig was among those who attended a memorial ceremony held online.
– There is a need for a cultural change when it comes to both the view of women and how they are treated – both in public and in private, she said.
“I am filled with both deep sorrow and rage, and I know many share this rage, which is fully understandable,” said Toksvig, who added that the mind should be set up to pursue good causes.
The 48-year-old policeman who is charged in the case, has been remanded in custody and will appear in court again on Tuesday.
The body of 33-year-old Everard was found hidden in a wooded area of Kent southeast of London on Wednesday.
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