Mourners at Sarah Everard’s memorial in Clapham
(Picture: PA Wire)Protesters are set to march to the Met’s headquarters after police clashed with mourners at a vigil for Sarah Everard.
Feminist group, Sisters Uncut, have urged demonstrators to gather at New Scotland Yard, in central London, for the rally at 4pm on Sunday.
They tweeted: “Last night we tried to have a peaceful vigil to mourn Sarah Everard. Instead we were brutalised by the colleagues of the man suspected of her murder.
“Join us for another vigil tonight @ 4pm, New Scotland Yard. We will not be intimidated. Do not dare lay your hands on us tonight.”
Police are perpetrators of individual and state violence against women - as evidenced last night.
— Sisters Uncut (@SistersUncut) March 14, 2021
The police abuse the powers they already have, yet the government plans to give them even more powers in the #PoliceCrackdownBill.
We must resist this.
4pm. New Scotland Yard. pic.twitter.com/LGL0lsrGZG
It comes after protesters clashed with officers after gathering to remember Ms Everard in Clapham Common on Saturday night.
Tensions escalated as police tried to clear the people from the area.
Four people were arrested as supporters shouted: “Arrest your own!”
Ms Everard’s story has sparked fierce debate about women’s safety after she went missing on March 3.
The marketing-executive walked through Clapham Common on her way back from a friend’s house before disappearing.
Wayne Couzens, a serving Met Police officer, has been charged with her murder and kidnap.
"I'm just as ashamed as anyone that's a police officer," Met sergeant confronted by angry female protesters at last night's vigil for Sarah Everard in Clapham pic.twitter.com/LwdkbhgxGW
— Anthony France (@NewsFrenchTony) March 14, 2021
Couzens appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday morning following his arrest on Tuesday.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded Couzens in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on March 16.
The police’s response to the vigil has been widely condemned, with Met Commissioner Cressida Dick facing calls to resign.
On Monday the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, is due to be debated in the Commons.
The bill would give powers to police to impose conditions on protests which are "noisy" enough to cause "intimidation or serious unease" - or which have an "impact" on the local community.
Labour has announced it will vote against the Government’s key crime legislation because it is a “mess” which could lead to harsher penalties for damaging a statue than attacking a woman.
Shadow justice secretary David Lammy said the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill contains “poorly thought out” proposals which would impose disproportionate controls on the right to protest.
He said: "The tragic death of Sarah Everard has instigated a national demand for action to tackle violence against women.
“Now is the time to unite the country and put in place long overdue protections for women against unacceptable violence, including action against domestic homicides, rape and street harassment. And we must tackle the misogynistic attitudes that underpin the abuse women face.”
