Islington Council is providing a space for women to come together and grieve Sarah Everard and other victims of violence against women.
Residents have been encouraged to bring a candle, flowers or a message to the town hall this week and stand in solidarity following Everard’s death and subsequent protests against gender-based violence.
In a statement, Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Cllr Sue Lukes and Anita Grant of Islington4Women said: “Islington women stand in solidarity: none of us are safe unless all of us are safe.”
In the UK, a woman is killed by a man on average every three days.
The town hall was lit in orange on Wednesday night, like others across the country, in remembrance of Everard and women affected by male violence. Orange is the colour of the UN campaign for ending violence against women and girls.
Tonight we lit the @Islington_AH orange to show our commitment to a future free of violence against women and girls?
We stand in solidarity with women and girls against all forms of violence and abuse, and commit to making our borough a safer place. #EndVAWGLondon #SarahEverard pic.twitter.com/wBrcl49TlR
— Islington Council (@IslingtonBC) March 17, 2021
Comer-Schwartz said: “We have all been appalled by so much in the last week. A young woman who disappeared from the streets on her way home, a police officer charged with her kidnap and murder, a vigil for her dispersed forcibly.
“And as we watch and comment, thousands of women are telling their stories, our stories, of everyday violence, misogyny and fear. As women we need to say how we feel about this. As Islington we need to hear and see this.”
The council held a virtual vigil on Saturday for Everard, tweeting: “We stand in solidarity with women across Islington, London and the UK and say #EnoughIsEnough.
“You can join a doorstep vigil at 9.30pm and shine a light – a candle, torch or phone – to remember Sarah Everard and all the women lost to violence.”
At a vigil for Everard at Clapham Common on Saturday, videos appeared to show police officers grabbing and pinning women to the ground. The policing of the vigil sparked a series of protests at Parliament Square and New Scotland Yard, while the government voted to expand police powers with its Police, Crime and Sentencing bill.
Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington North, tweeted: “The Met police must answer for their actions at Clapham Common this evening.”
On the Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill he wrote: “The last thing the Police need is more powers at this time.”
After the bill passed its second reading on Tuesday, feminist direct action group Sisters Uncut tweeted: “The Tories aren’t backing down and neither will we. THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING. We will fight in our thousands at every stage; we’re just getting started. Join us.
We will not be silenced.”
The council said it had been taking steps to improve the safety of women in the streets and at home in the borough. It cited its pledge of over £2 million extra funding in January 2020 to help tackle violence against women and girls, and said it had passed a motion in December to call for the strengthening of legislation to make misogyny a hate crime.
None of us are safe unless all of us are safe. The council is inviting local people to put down candles, flowers and notes outside the Town Hall to express their sorrow at the death of Sarah Everard and all women affected by violence and abuse.
Read more: https://t.co/HSrvLixmX1 pic.twitter.com/anyENuY6Up
— Islington Council (@IslingtonBC) March 17, 2021
The council has a network of 100 safe havens, which help those who are in danger, feel threatened or harassed on the street or are in need of help. It is signing pubs, bars, restaurants, music venues and nightclubs up to the Women’s Night Safety Charter, which means staff will be trained on how to deal with harassment, reporting issues and bettering women’s safety.
“Ending violence against women is a top priority,” the council said.
Islington4Women’s Grant said: “Islington4women will be working closely with [Islington Council] and the police to explore how to ensure that we can all work together to address the safety issues faced by women in our borough.”
She continued: “The terrible murder of Sarah Everard has galvanised nationwide conversation and a recognition of the way that all women feel in our society. We need to build on this focus and ensure that we instigate real change right now to protect our right to walk freely and safely through our lives.”
Lukes said women could come to the town hall to pay tribute “on your way home from work, as part of your daily exercise, on the way to shop. Please do it safely, with your household or support bubble.”
She said: “We are Islington and we deserve to be safe.”
The police officer accused of kidnapping and murdering Everard, Wayne Couzens, has been told he will go on trial in October.
The 48-year-old joined the Met in 2018 and was serving in the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command.
