‘It was important to be there’: People gather at York Minster to remember Sarah – before police intervene
People gathered at York Minster this evening to remember Sarah Everard – even though the official #ReclaimTheseStreets vigil had been called off.
At least 30 people were at unofficial event, and remained socially distanced.
One of them was Ewa Lelontko, who put her #ReclaimTheseStreets poster with the candles and flowers.
Ewa told YorkMix: “It was great to see quite a few people there – different ages, mostly young girls but was good to see males join us too.
“It was important to be there because we feel left down by the system and it feels that if we don’t fight for our safety, no-one else will.
“Men are responding to our hashtags #toomanywomen and #reclaimthesestreets saying we are generalising and demonising every men.
“But the reality is every man is part of the system that enables violence against women on a daily basis.
‘Enough is enough and we are done asking for help. It’s time every man starts taking their share of responsibility for what’s happening to women.”
The police showed up immediately, Ewa said: “At first only a couple of officers but as people were refusing to leave, they called more of their colleagues.
“Women were trying to stay but the police started telling how this is against the ‘stay at home’ rule.”
On Twitter, Miranda said: “Sarah Everard’s vigil in York was broken up by a swarm of cops who told us to go home or face serious consequences.
“I wonder if the irony of police threatening women gathering to remember a woman killed by a cop occurred to them.”
In Clapham, scene of the biggest vigil, criticism is growing tonight at the heavy-handed approach of the Metropolitan Police to the event.
A Met Police officer appeared in court earlier today, charged with the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard. From York originally, Sarah had lived in London for 12 years.
Candles for Sarah
People from York have joined with others from across the country in lighting a candle and placing it on their doorstep or window sill in memory of Sarah.
Here are a few of those tributes.