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Women who protest for women's rights are handcuffed - these disturbing images from London have consequences: The actions of the officers at a vigil for the murdered Londoner Sarah Everard are now being investigated retrospectively, and even the Interior Minister has intervened in the debate.
Previously, hundreds gathered on Saturday night at Clapham Common, where the 33-year-old was last seen, to mourn, lay flowers and light candles.
Surprisingly, Prince William's wife turned up there to put down a bouquet of daffodils.
Duchess Catherine later announced that she still knew very well what it was like to walk alone through London in the evening as a woman.
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Everard disappeared on the way home from Clapham to Brixton last week and her body was found ten days later.
A British elite policeman is currently under suspicion, a situation that continues to boil emotions in the already heated climate.
In the British media, social networks, but also in politics and society, the case has led to a kind of #MeToo outcry.
Numerous British women are currently reporting on Twitter and Facebook about their experiences of violence in public spaces, about stupid comments on the street, but also about digging and even rape.
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The proposal by a Green politician caused a particularly sensation, who as a consequence of the numerous experiences of violence women have experienced nationwide, calling for a curfew (from 6 p.m.) for all men, as reported by the Guardian, among others.
The suggestion was “mentally disturbed”, and not only Brexit initiator Nigel Farage hurried to tweet.
Meeting violated Corona requirements
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A quite explosive situation that had built up before the vigil.
Originally, the organizers had planned to hold demonstrations under the title “Reclaim the Streets” in several British cities on Saturday in order to protest against violence against women.
But then the rally in London was banned by a judge with reference to the British Corona restrictions, which prohibit mass gatherings.
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Hundreds of people ignored the judge's rejection and still came to Clapham Common.
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When the police arrived - the Duchess had long since left - there was a scuffle.
At one point, male officials even grabbed women and handcuffed them to protest shouts from bystanders, the UK news agency PA reported.
A "shame", it was said not only on Twitter.
"She was just on the way home" reads on the poster at the memorial for Sarah Everard
Source: Getty Images
During the weekend, numerous politicians also spoke up and criticized the police’s crackdown.
"The scenes in Clapham tonight are deeply disturbing," wrote opposition leader Keir Starmer on Twitter.
“I share their anger and dismay at how this was handled.
That was not the right way to monitor this protest. "
Conservative MP Steve Baker spoke of "unspeakable scenes" and called on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to "change the lockdown law now".
And the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, even called for the resignation of the Metropolitan Police chief, Cressida Dick.
You have "lost the trust of millions of women in London," said the politician.
London's mayor doubts proportionality
In an initial reply, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the police were "responsible for enforcing Covid laws, but it is clear from the images I saw that the effort was neither appropriate nor proportionate".
Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted that she had requested a full report from the Metropolitan Police.
She has also launched an extensive initiative to investigate violence against women.
It remains to be seen whether this will be enough to allay public anger.
The London police, meanwhile, defended the officers' intervention.
This was necessary to ensure the safety of the people, said Deputy Police President Helen Ball. Because of the crowded crowd, there was "a very real risk" of coronavirus infections.
Four participants were arrested for violating public order and the Corona requirements.
In addition, "a small minority" insulted the police officers, pushed them and threw objects at them.
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The violent clashes are a sad side aspect of a spectacular criminal case.
Sarah Everard was last seen on the way home on the evening of March 3rd.
The body of the marketing specialist was then found on Wednesday - hidden in a wooded area in Kent, more than 80 kilometers southeast of London.
The police announced on Friday that the body was still being autopsied, but after a dental comparison it was already clear that it was the missing person.
The alleged murderer was guarding parliament
The crime had shocked the British nationwide.
The young woman had been searched for days with great sympathy, the news of the body being found was a nationwide shock - but so was the identity of the alleged murderer.
The London police were then appalled that one of their officers was suspected.
Wayne C. belongs to an elite unit from Scotland Yard which, among other things, guards the parliament buildings in the capital.
The 48-year-old and his later victim apparently did not know each other before.
According to media reports, the investigators are considering that C. may have lured the young woman into his car by showing his ID card.
The investigators apparently got on the trail of the former soldier thanks to an analysis of telephone data.
The improvised memorial for the murder victim in Clapham Common
Source: REUTERS
C. is in custody, a statement from him is not yet known.
The married family man had to be taken to hospital twice because he was seriously injured in his cell.
Media reports also caused a stir, according to which C. is said to have exposed himself to a woman in a fast-food restaurant days before Everard's disappearance - and, if these reports are correct, why this had no consequences for his service.
The organizers of the memorial events for the victim announced that they were now continuing to collect donations for women's issues.
And they called on people to light a candle in front of their door instead of attending large gatherings.
Promise kept: A candle in front of the British seat of government also commemorated the murdered young woman
Source: AFP
Prime Minister Boris Johnson also wanted to follow this suggestion.
He said he was planning to light a candle with his fiancée Carrie Symonds on Saturday in honor of the victim.
This then happened.
A nation in mourning: The image of the burning light in front of the dark door of Number 10 Downing Street will be remembered for a long time.