Tensions escalate at Clapham Common as officers confront attendees of an unauthorized memorial
The vigil for Sarah Everard in Clapham Common on March 13, 2021, started in quiet reflection but quickly descended into chaos as police clashed with mourners. The event, which had not been granted official permission by the Metropolitan Police, was organized by women seeking to honor Everard and demand better safety for women.
Initially, mourners gathered in silence, placing flowers and candles in tribute to Everard, who had been tragically murdered. However, the mood shifted as police moved in, trampling over the tributes and confronting those who had gathered. This led to heated exchanges and at least one arrest.
Tensions were already running high, with anger directed at the police following the arrest of a serving officer charged with Everard’s kidnapping and murder. The unauthorized vigil took place under the scrutiny of a hovering helicopter, and the police, although initially standing back, eventually moved in to disperse the crowd.
The handling of the vigil by police has been heavily criticized, with many accusing the force of overreacting to a peaceful memorial for a woman whose tragic death had sparked widespread calls for justice and change in the way women are treated in society.
