Protest held outside police station after Sarah Everard vigil
A peaceful protest took place outside a Shropshire police station in response to ugly scenes at a vigil for Sarah Everard.
Around 20 campaigners held up banners outside Shrewsbury Police Station in Monkmoor last night in a socially-distanced vigil.
The protest was held after Metropolitan Police officers came in for criticism for being too heavy handed with demonstrators at a vigil for Ms Everard in London's Clapham Common.
Sarah Everard went missing on March 3 and was found dead in a builder's bag a week later in woodland in Kent. Met Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, has been charged with her murder.
Her death sparked an outpouring of women raising awareness of the fears and dangers they face when walking alone. A peaceful protest was planned in London, but confrontation arose as police descended. Now concerns have been raised that the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which has its second reading this week, will curtail the rights of people to protest.
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A Shrewsbury protestor called Laura told the Shropshire Star that police officers attended and told them leave or they would be fined under Covid-19 legislation. She said: "I was there because I am petrified about this new police bill."
Another protestor, Alice, added: "We stand in solidarity with Sarah Everard and other victims. We won't go quietly."
A spokesperson for XR Shrewsbury, which had some of its members present, said: "A peaceful, socially-distanced vigil was held outside Shrewsbury Police Station last night organised by Reclaim These Streets as part of a nationwide campaign for women's safety after the murder of Sarah Everard. Extinction Rebellion Shrewsbury stands with all women against sexism and violence.
"We were appalled by the way the Metropolitan Police handled the recent vigil on Clapham Common and we have grave concerns about the new Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill which is currently being debated in Parliament. This Bill treats the safety of women as little more than an afterthought, preferring instead to protect statues while shutting down legitimate, non-violent protest.
"If this Bill becomes law, the democratic right of every British citizen to protest peacefully will be lost. We urge Shropshire MPs to stand up for our freedom to protest peacefully and to vote against this draconian legislation."
A spokeswoman for West Mercia Police said: "We can confirm that at approximately 7.50pm yesterday a group of around 20 individuals gathered outside Shrewsbury Police Station, the group were approached and spoken to by officers and reminded of the Covid legislation, an hour later the group had dispersed."
