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(PA)
A formal vigil set to take place in Clapham Common, where Sarah Everard was last seen alive, has been cancelled by the Metropolitan Police due to their concerns surrounding public health and the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement, the force has said: “We take no joy in this event being cancelled, but it is the right thing to do given the real and present threat of Covid-19.”
Reclaim These Streets organisers have instead asked people to light a candle in Sarah’s memory, at 9.30pm, the last time she was seen alive. They are also encouraging people to donate to a fundraiser for women’s causes, and aims to raise “£320,000 for women’s causes: £10K for every proposed fine for the 32 vigils originally scheduled.”
Wayne Couzens, a Metropolitan Police officer, appeared in court on Saturday. He has been charged with the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard.
Brighton vigil cancelled
Organisers of a vigil for Sarah Edwards in Brighton have cancelled the event, stating that they do not want to pose a risk to attendees safety.
This comes as Reclaim Our Streets – the organisation behind the vigils – encourages people to host and attend doorstep or virtual vigils in like of the risk from the pandemic.
Bethany Dawson13 March 2021 16:25
Court hears Sarah Edwards’ body was found in bag
The court has heard that the remains of Sarah Edwards were found in a bag in a forest.
New information coming from the court hearing of Wayne Couzens, who appeared in person before Westminster Magistrates’ Court, details how the body of Ms Edwards was found.
Bethany Dawson13 March 2021 16:15
Clapham Common bandstand covered in flowers for Sarah Everard
A large bandstand at Clapham Common, both were Sarah Everard was last seen alive and where the in-person vigil was scheduled to take place, has been covered with flowers in memory of the 33-year-old.
Creating a moving and emotional atmosphere, many people are taking to the South London green space to leave tributes to Ms Everard
(Beth Ashton)
Bethany Dawson13 March 2021 15:15
MP calls the cancelling of in-person vigil “unbelievable”
MP condemns the Metropolitan Police’s decision to ban an in-person vigil tonight on Clapham Common is “unbelievable”.
Munira Wilson, Lib Dem MP for Twickenham has tweeted that the fact “women to take a stand on their personal safety is not allowed” is “unbelievable.
Bethany Dawson13 March 2021 15:00
Reclaim the Streets raise over £200,000 for women’s causes in memory of Sarah Everard
Reclaim the Streets, who are running an alternative vigil this evening, have raised over £200,000 for women’s causes in memory of Sarah Everard.
Originally, the money raised would go towards supporting people pay police fines should the in-person vigil on Clapham Common have gone ahead, as the Metropolitan Police estimated a £10,000 fine each for each woman organising.
Now, as the force has told the organisation that the event cannot go ahead due to public safety concerns, the money is being distributed to charitable causes supporting women affected by violence.
Bethany Dawson13 March 2021 14:45
Plans for an alternative vigil are underway
Plans for an alternative vigil are underway as the Metropolitan Police bar the hosting of an in-person event due to public safety.
Reclaim the Streets, the organisation that was hosting the original gathering, is now hosting a door-step vigil, wherein people across the country are encouraged to stand at their doorstep with a candle at 9:30pm.
Activist Gina Martin – who successfully campaigned to make upskirting illegal in 2018 (resulting in the 2019 Voyeurism Act) – has taken to Twitter to encourage others to attend the Covid-19 safe vigil.
Bethany Dawson13 March 2021 14:00
Police officer charged for kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard
Wayne Couzens, a service Metropolitan Police officer, has been charged with the kidnapping and murder of Sarah Everard.
The 48-year-old man from Deal, Kent, was brought before Westminster Magistrates Court this morning.
Ms Everard, a 33-year-old marketing executive who lived in Brixton, South London, went missing while walking home from a friend’s flat on 3 March. She was last seen alive in Clapham Common, London.
Mr Couzens will appear before the Old Bailey on 16 March.
Bethany Dawson13 March 2021 13:47
A vigil on Clapham Common – where Sarah Everard Sarah Everard was last seen alive – has been cancelled, organisers have said.
Organisers from Reclaim These Streets, the organisation hosting the vigil, said: “Update: We are sorry to confirm that our Clapham vigil scheduled for tonight is cancelled.”
They added: “Instead, we are fundraising £320,000 for women’s causes: £10K for every proposed fine for the 32 vigils originally scheduled.”
Commander Catherine Roper, the Met’s lead for Community Engagement, said: “I would like to thank the organisers of tonight’s vigil in Clapham Common for cancelling the gathering. Since Sarah’s disappearance, we have shared Londoners anguish, shock and sadness at the truly awful circumstances of her disappearance and death.
“I know that yesterday’s ruling would have been unwelcome news for the organisers and to those who were hoping to join others in tribute to Sarah and to make a stand on violence against women.”
Bethany Dawson13 March 2021 13:41
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Sarah Everard vigil, as a Clapham Common event has been shut down by the Metropolitan Police.
Bethany Dawson13 March 2021 13:38
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