A VIGIL has been organised for Saturday, March 13, following Sarah Everard’s disappearance.
The event – named Reclaim These Streets – has been promoted on social media and calls for the safety for women when they are outside, regardless of the time of day or night, of what they are wearing or where they live.
Follow our live blog for the latest developments on the case of missing Sarah Everard
Sarah Everard‘s vigil will take place at 6pm on Saturday, March 13.
It will begin at the bandstand in Clapham Common, South London – the area where Sarah was last seen as she walked home on Wednesday, March 3.
Similar vigils have also been organised in other parts of the country, including Southend-on-Sea, Walthamstow and Margate.
Those who cannot attend the vigil in person have been encouraged to tweet #ReclaimTheseStreets and/or light a candle at 6pm on March 13.
The vigil is for Sarah and for all the women who feel unsafe, go missing from our streets and face violence every day.
Organisers said the event “is for and about women, but open to all”.
Covid-19 guidelines will be observed, including social distancing and facee masks.
Anyone attending the vigil is also encouraged to download the NHS contact tracing app and turn their Bluetooth on.
The organisers of Reclaim These Streets said in a statement: “We believe that streets should be safe for women, regardless of what you wear, where you live or what time of day or night it is. We shouldn’t have to wear bright colours when we walk home and clutch our keys in our fists to feel safe.
“It’s wrong that the response to violence against women requires women to behave differently. In Clapham, police told women not to go out at night this week. Women are not the problem.
“We’ve all been following the tragic case of Sarah Everard over the last week. This is a vigil for Sarah, but also for all women who feel unsafe, who go missing from our streets and who face violence every day.
“Come to the bandstand on Clapham Common at 6pm on Saturday, March 13 to reclaim these streets and our public spaces. This event is for and about women, but open to all. Bring a light to remember those we’ve lost.
“This vigil will observe strict Covid-19 safety guidelines, including compulsory mask-wearing and social distancing. We would also encourage anyone who comes along to download the NHS contact tracing app and turn their Bluetooth on.”
Sarah Everard, 33, went missing while walking home from a friend’s house in Clapham, South London, after 9pm on Wednesday, March 3, and has not been seen or heard from since.
She was last seen walking alone on a doorbell camera on the Poynders Road section of the South Circular – about halfway between her friend’s house and her own flat.
PC Wayne Couzens, 48, has been arrested on suspicion of her abduction and murder and one line of inquiry is that he may have lured Sarah into his vehicle out of view of CCTV cameras.
He is also being questioned about a separate allegation of indecent exposure.
A woman, in her 30s, is also in custody after being arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said on March 10 that human remains were found in a woodland area in Ashford, Kent, in the search for Sarah.
However, the investigation is still ongoing and detectives have not yet been able to confirm the identity of the remains.
Dame Cressida said: “The discovery was made in an area of woodland in Ashford in Kent.
“In this early stage we are not able to confirm any identity and that may take us some considerable time.
“The news today that it was Metropolitan Police officer has sent shock waves and anger through he public and through the met.
“I speak on behalf of all my colleagues when I say that we are utterly appalled at this dreadful news.”
Sarah’s uncle Nick Everard told The Sun that she did not know the arrested police officer and the family were baffled as to how he was linked to her disappearance.
Dad-of-four Nick, 62, of Coventry, said: “She would never have taken a lift with a stranger.
“She was sensible. She didn’t know him and she wouldn’t have voluntarily got into a car. I’m trying to work out what has happened.”
