HEARTFELT notes and ribbons have been tied around lampposts in Glasgow as part of a nationwide tribute to Sarah Everard whose remains were found in a Kent wood after she disappeared on her way back to her London home on March 3.
Planned vigils across the country, including Edinburgh and Glasgow, were called off due to coronavirus restrictions but, despite the setback, the Reclaim These Streets organisers say the movement will only get “bigger and bigger”.
READ MORE: Sarah Everard's murder has shocked the UK, but it isn't shocking at all
Yesterday a Metropolitan Police officer was charged with the kidnap and murder of Everard who was 33-years-old. Wayne Couzens, 48, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court and was remanded in custody until Thursday when he will be brought before the Old Bailey.
The case has caused a national outcry with many women saying they feel unsafe on the country’s streets because of sexual harassment and violence. Chloe Whyte, organiser of the planned Edinburgh vigil, said yesterday that women would not be silenced.
Struck by this photo from the gates of Queens Park tonight. The park is in the heart of my constituency and I, too, think of Moira every time I walk through or around it. #ReclaimTheStreets pic.twitter.com/8SWOMmbxOs
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) March 13, 2021
“We will be taking to the streets as soon as it is legal and safe to do so,” she said. “In the meantime, the campaigns online are only growing.
“The tragic story of Sarah Everard and the national outpouring it has provoked has shone a light on just how many women have been made to feel unsafe on our streets due to sexual harassment and violence. This is a moment of reflection, but also one of action.”
READ MORE: Sarah Everard's case shows 'we must to change, we must take political action'
After the failure of a legal challenge in London over the right to congregate to stage a protest during the restrictions, organisers of the Glasgow vigil opted instead to ask people to tie ribbons and notes round lampposts yesterday in four locations including George Square.
“It has been made clear to us that if we were to organise a gathering that we would be subject to up to £10,000 fines as the organisers,” said a spokesperson.
Kelvingrove Park was chosen as one of the four locations due to its proximity to a number of sexual assaults in 2019. Mary Barbour’s Statue in Govan, unveiled in 2018 to mark International Women’s Day because Barbour, was also picked, along with the Victoria Road entrance of Queens Park to honour Moira Jones, who was abducted and murdered in the park.
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