Glasgow plans Sarah Everard vigil once Covid rules change
Councillors to vote on cross-party motion to remember victims of gender-based violence
Last updated 30th Mar 2021
A vigil to commemorate all victims of gender-based violence could be held in Glasgow when Covid-19 restrictions are relaxed.
The council will be asked to agree to working on the event with local organisers behind the recent Reclaim These Streets movement.
A cross-party motion, put together by SNP, Labour and Green councillors, calls on elected members to “consider their leadership role in tackling gender-based violence”.
It states the “responsibility is not on women, girls and gender non-conforming people to change their behaviour, but on men to stop attacking women”.
Clyde 1 is joining forces with other Bauer Media radio stations and magazines across the UK for a special discussion about women's safety being streamed on Wednesday at 8pm.
Inspired by Sarah
The motion, to be presented by Councillor Jennifer Layden, the city convener for community empowerment, equalities and human rights, follows the death of Sarah Everard.
Ms Everard, 33, was found dead after she disappeared while walking home in South London.
A police officer, Wayne Couzens, has been charged with kidnap and murder.
Ribbons and notes paying tribute to Ms Everard and other victims of gender-based violence were tied to trees and gates at parks across Glasgow earlier this month.
The tributes were made following a request from Reclaim These Streets organisers, after gatherings were cancelled due to pandemic restrictions.
Notes also paid tribute to Moira Jones, who was murdered in Queen’s Park in 2008.
Cllr Layden has worked alongside Labour councillors Eva Murray and Aileen McKenzie and Kim Long, of the Green group, on the motion, which offers condolences to Ms Everard’s family.
She said: “Recent events bring into stark focus what most women at some point in their lives have to deal with – violence or intimidation at the hands of men.
“For too long women have been taught to modify our behaviour to protect ourselves. This is not good enough.
“It is for men to change their behaviour and to challenge behaviour that makes women and girls feel unsafe on our streets.”
She added: “I want to thank Reclaim These Street, local organisers and other organisations and individuals, including Glasgow’s Violence Against Women Partnership for all the work they do to protect women and girls, and for their continued activism on this issue.
“I look forward to walking alongside them when restrictions allow.”