Thousands attend Sarah Everard vigil in London despite ban | Women News

Thousands of individuals in the United Kingdom’s capital have defied coronavirus-related restrictions to attend a vigil in reminiscence of a girl murdered final week – a case that has sparked a global dialog on girls’s security.

Sarah Everard, a 33-year-old advertising government, disappeared whereas strolling house from a buddy’s house in London’s southern neighbourhood of Clapham on March 3. A police officer has been charged with kidnapping and killing Everard.

On Saturday, a big crowd gathered in Clapham Common to pay tribute to Everard whilst deliberate nationwide vigils have been cancelled as a result of pandemic curbs.

People collect at a memorial website in Clapham Common Bandstand, following the kidnap and homicide of Sarah Everard, in London, UK [Hannah McKay/Reuters]“It’s overwhelming to be right here, there’s a whole lot of emotion,” Helena Matthews, a protester who had lived on the streets as a homeless individual, instructed Al Jazeera on the vigil. “It’s all about reclaiming the streets,” she mentioned, explaining why she felt the must be there.

Reporting from the vigil, Al Jazeera’s Nadim Baba mentioned police initially stored a low-profile presence however then started asking folks to disperse.

Tensions heightened as night time descended, with tussles breaking out between cops and a few protesters, based on movies posted on social media. Footage from the scene confirmed male cops violently dragging feminine protesters away and making arrests.

Disgraceful doesn’t minimize it. We ought to all march tomorrow pic.twitter.com/HI4KquVrBW

— Liam Young (@liamyoung) March 13, 2021

“Tonight, hundreds of ladies got here to Clapham Common to grieve the dying of a girl killed by a male police officer after darkish,” marketing campaign group Sisters Uncut mentioned on Twitter.

“Tonight, male cops waited for the solar to set earlier than they began grabbing and manhandling girls in the group.”

Commenting on the actions of the police, Sarah Owen, a member of Parliament with the principle opposition Labour occasion, mentioned on Twitter: “This is heartbreaking and maddening to observe. No one can see these scenes and assume that this has been dealt with something however badly by
[the police]. It might and will have been so completely different.”

2021 03 13T182934Z 1938462767 RC2IAM98D9TE RTRMADP 3 BRITAIN CRIME MISSING VIGILThe homicide of Everard shocked the UK, prompting many ladies and women to share on social media their tales of experiencing violence by males [File: Dylan Martinez/Reuters]

‘Women have had sufficient’

Everard’s physique, which was discovered inside a builder’s bag in an space of woodland in Ashford Kent on Wednesday, was recognized via the usage of dental data.

The homicide shocked the UK, prompting many ladies and women to share on social media their tales of experiencing violence by males.

There has additionally been a political fallout, with Member of Parliament Jess Phillips this week studying out the names of 118 girls murdered final 12 months. Prime Minister Boris Johnson mentioned he was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the case.

“Women have had sufficient now,” Femi Otitoju, coaching director at Challenge Consultancy in London, instructed Al Jazeera.

“The numbers are usually not happening, we’re nonetheless seeing male violence being the main explanation for untimely dying amongst girls – and it’s not only a UK downside, it’s a world downside.”

000 94X4PNSarah Everard’s physique, which was discovered inside a builder’s bag in an space of woodland in Ashford Kent on Wednesday, was recognized via the usage of dental data [Justin Tallis/AFP]

First court docket look

Earlier on Saturday, police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, made his first look at Westminster Magistrates’ Court going through fees for kidnapping and murdering Everard.

In court docket, Couzens spoke solely to substantiate his title and private particulars, sitting between two plainclothes officers in the dock.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded Couzens in custody to seem on the Old Bailey on Tuesday.

The Metropolitan Police has expressed anger and shock that one in every of its personal was arrested for the crime. The drive mentioned Couzens joined its ranks in 2018 and most not too long ago served in the parliamentary and diplomatic safety command, an armed unit answerable for guarding London embassies and Parliament.

2021 03 13T101200Z 1001166689 RC2AAM9QLRSE RTRMADP 3 BRITAIN CRIME MISSING COUZENSA police van believed to be carrying British Police Officer Wayne Couzens who’s charged with the kidnap and homicide of 33-year-old Sarah Everard arrives at Westminster Magistrates Court in London, UK, March 13, 2021 [Hannah McKay/Reuters]

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