Liverpool vigil for Sarah postponed
The event is moving online instead
The Liverpool vigil for Sarah Everard has been called off.
Merseyside Police have thanked the organisers of the Reclaim these Streets vigil for postponing it.
It follows the news that a vigil planned in south London this evening has also been cancelled.
It was due to be held at Clapham Common, near where she was last seen.
Organisers haven't been able to arrange for it to go ahead in a Covid-safe way. They've now moved it online and started a fundraiser for women's causes.
Following the decision to cancel tonight’s Reclaim these Streets vigil in Liverpool centre, Deputy Chief Constable Serena Kennedy issued this statement:
“We have been working closely with the organisers of the Reclaim these Streets vigil, which was planned to be held in Liverpool tonight, and they have now agreed to hold the event virtually on social media in line with current legislation to prevent further spread of Coronavirus.
We would like to thank the organisers for their co-operation and understanding in the last 24 hours.
We completely understand, that following the murder of Sarah Everard, people across the UK wanted to hold the event in Sarah’s memory, whilst at the same time recognising the dangers faced by women.
We will continue to work with women who are subjected to sexual harassment, or physical, or violent abuse, and our partners, so that we can identify offenders and make the streets safer for women who live and work in our communities.
We as a society do need to take a strong stance against such attacks on women and we completely understand the concerns of those who support the Reclaim these Streets movement. Women should be empowered to live their lives without fear of sexual objectification, harassment, or physical and mental abuse.”
Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.