LONDON: London’s police division is below scrutiny for the way in which officers dealt with some members at an unofficial vigil Saturday evening for a London woman whose dying led to homicide prices towards a fellow officer and spurred a nationwide dialog about violence towards girls within the U.Ok.
Hundreds of individuals disregarded a decide’s ruling and police requests by gathering at Clapham Common in honor of Sarah Everard, 33, who final was seen alive close to the south London park on March 3. Demonstrators mentioned they needed to draw consideration to the concern and hazard many ladies see as a every day a part of British life.
Everard disappeared whereas strolling dwelling from a good friend’s condominium at about 10:30 p.m. and was discovered lifeless per week later. The slaying despatched shockwaves throughout the U.Ok. as a result of a Metropolitan Police officer is charged along with her kidnapping and homicide.
Video of Saturday’s casual vigil turned rally confirmed officers from the identical police drive tussling with members as they pushed their method by way of the group. At one level, a number of male officers grabbed maintain of a number of girls and pulled them away in handcuffs to screaming and shouting from onlookers, Britain’s Press Association reported.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan decried the police actions.
“The police have a duty to implement Covid legal guidelines, however from photographs I’ve seen it’s clear the response was at instances neither acceptable nor proportionate,” Khan mentioned on Twitter.
Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted that she had requested the Metropolitan Police for a full report on what occurred.
The gathering occurred hours after London constable Wayne Couzens, 48, appeared in courtroom for the primary time since his arrest in Everard’s dying. As Metropolitan Police officers approached the Clapham Common bandstand on Saturday night, boos, jeers and shouts of “Shame on you” got here from the group, in line with the Press Association.
Organizers had hoped to carry “Reclaim the Streets” vigils in Everard’s reminiscence at the south London location and in different U.Ok. cities on Saturday however canceled the in-person occasions after a decide refused to grant an order permitting them to go on regardless of coronavirus restrictions that bar mass gatherings.
Hundreds of individuals confirmed up nonetheless. Before police moved in, many members laid flowers at the park bandstand. Among them was Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, who was seen pausing for a second in entrance of the ocean of flowers.
Other individuals held indicators studying “We is not going to be silenced” and “She was simply strolling dwelling,” and the group chanted, “Sisters united won’t ever be defeated.”
In the wake of Everard’s disappearance and killing, many ladies have taken to social media to share their very own experiences of being threatened or attacked whereas strolling exterior.
A 33-year-old nurse who works within the Clapham space, Mel Clarke, mentioned she felt “very conflicted” about attending Saturday’s gathering due to pandemic restrictions, however ultimately “simply felt that I wanted to be right here.”
“I’m actually happy that there are a number of males right here. I hope that that is type of a chance for males to learn the way girls really feel, how susceptible we’re,” Clarke mentioned. “I hope that that is the beginning of justice being served for Sarah.”
The Metropolitan Police has expressed shock and horror that one in all its personal was a suspect within the case. The London police drive mentioned Couzens joined its ranks in 2018 and most lately served within the parliamentary and diplomatic safety command, an armed unit accountable for guarding embassies within the capital and Parliament.
During his courtroom look earlier within the day, Couzens stood carrying a grey tracksuit as the fees have been learn to him. He was remanded into custody and has one other look scheduled Tuesday at London’s Central Criminal Court.
Everard’s physique was discovered hidden in an space of woodland in Kent, greater than 50 miles southeast of London, on Wednesday, per week after she went lacking. A autopsy examination is underway, police mentioned Friday.
TV and radio presenter Sandi Toksvig mentioned at the beginning of a vigil held on-line Saturday {that a} “cultural shift about how girls are considered and handled each in the private and non-private house” was wanted.
“I’m crammed in equal measure with profound sorrow and rage, and I do know there are numerous who share this rage, and I believe it’s fully justifiable,” Toksvig mentioned. “But I additionally know that it’ll hurt relatively than assist us if we don’t try to direct that anger to good goal.”
