Two women who were detained during a vigil held in memory of the murdered marketing executive Sarah Everard have received compensation from the Metropolitan Police. Patsy Stevenson and Dania Al-Obeid found themselves in police custody after attending the vigil on Clapham Common in March 2021, which took place amidst COVID-19 restrictions.
The tragic murder of Sarah Everard, committed by serving police officer Wayne Couzens, had sparked widespread outrage and prompted hundreds of people, including the Princess of Wales, to participate in the vigil.
The Metropolitan Police faced substantial criticism for their handling of the vigil, particularly during the later stages when some women were forcefully restrained. Additionally, the police’s initial response was perceived as “tone-deaf” following the negative reactions in the aftermath of the event.
In her statement, Ms. Stevenson remarked, “It has taken over two years to reach this conclusion; it’s been a really tiring and difficult process. But it has felt important to push for some form of accountability and justice for myself and all women who attended the vigil to express our anger and grief over the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Metropolitan Police officer.”
Originally planned by the campaign group Reclaim These Streets (RTS), the event was canceled after Metropolitan Police officers threatened organisers with £10,000 fines, citing lockdown rules in place at the time. Nevertheless, members of the public gathered at the vigil independently, with no police intervention for approximately six hours before clashes occurred.
Commander Karen Findlay expressed her acknowledgment of the women’s motivations in attending the vigil, recognising their grief and anger concerning Sarah Everard’s tragic murder. She further stated that their arrests and removal curtailed their opportunity to express these feelings.
The legal battle persisted long after the vigil, with the original RTS organisers successfully arguing that their right to protest had been violated by the Metropolitan Police.
Dania Al-Obeid, reflecting on her experience, said, “I have felt abused, abandoned by the police prior to, during, and post the vigil – I do not feel protected or safe with any police force.”
Rachel Harger, the solicitor representing the women from Bindmans LLP, expressed her satisfaction with the Met’s acknowledgment that those attending the vigil had the fundamental right to protest the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Met officer. She emphasised the vital role protests play in challenging injustices and maintaining confidence in democratic processes for change.
