London‘s top officer defended police using force to break up demonstrations on Saturday that included a vigil for Sarah Everard, a 33-year-old woman who was kidnapped and murdered while walking home earlier this month.
The clash between protesters and police came hours after the police officer charged with her murder appeared in court.
Cressida Dick, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, expressed condolences to Everard’s family and friends but rejected calls for her to resign after police used force on protesters who refused to break up the gathering, despite COVID-19 precautions in place.
SAUDI WOMEN’S RIGHTS ACTIVIST RELEASED AFTER NEARLY THREE YEARS IN PRISON
“Police must act for people’s safety. This is the only responsible thing to do. The pandemic is not over. And gatherings of hundreds of people from right across London and beyond are still not safe,” Dick said in a statement.
According to police, four arrests were made for public order offenses and breaches of health protection regulations.
Police moved in on protesters using containment and corralling techniques after they were told to leave the area or face arrest or fines, according to a CNN report. Protesters chanted at law enforcement “arrest your own” and “shame on you” as officers forcibly removed women from the bandstand and dropped others face-down to the floor to arrest them.
Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, briefly appeared at the vigil earlier in the day, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson also announced on Twitter that he would partake in commemorating Everard.
Several political leaders expressed concern over the scenes that took place, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who called for an independent investigation.
“It is vital that these are not allowed to undermine the powerful calls since Sarah’s murder for meaningful action to finally stop men inflicting violence on women,” Khan said in a statement.
Everard’s murder reignited a national debate in the United Kingdom about the safety of women in public places, and how to combat the threat of sexual assault.
Everard disappeared earlier this month while walking in south London, and her remains were found more than 50 miles from where she was last seen.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
British police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, appeared in court over the weekend for his first hearing since being charged with Everard’s murder. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court next on March 16.
