An unofficial vigil on Clapham Common to remember Sarah Everard ended in anger and violence after police trampled flowers and candles laid in tribute and arrested at least one woman. The event had been cancelled after the Metropolitan Police refused to grant a permit, compounding anger already high after a serving officer was charged with Everard's kidnap and murder.
Hundreds gathered at the bandstand, carrying candles and flowers, despite the official cancellation. At 6pm, after a minute of silence, a speaker addressed the crowd, calling out that women would not be told to stay at home. As she spoke, police pushed onto the bandstand, trampling some of the tributes, and tried to push speakers aside. After a roar of fury from the crowd, the speech was allowed to continue, but officers then flooded the bandstand and began threatening arrest.
One woman was handcuffed and taken away in a police van after violent confrontations, during which protesters shouted 'arrest your own' and 'shame on you'. Many attendees expressed frustration that a peaceful, outdoor gathering with social distancing had been banned on health grounds while they were protesting against violence against women. 'They are showing brutality,' said one 25-year-old woman who was threatened with arrest.
