Several Irish demonstrations are planned for this week.
Around 60 people attended a Reclaim the Streets protest in Dublin this afternoon following the death of Sarah Everard.
The protest, which was organised by socialist feminist group ROSA and former TD Ruth Coppinger, took place today at Dublin’s the Spire. Gardaí were also present at the site.
Another demonstration will take place this evening in Belfast, with additional protests planned for Thursday, March 18, in Cork, Limerick, and elsewhere.
ROSA’s Emma Quinn told Her that the demonstration was “an essential reason to be outside.”
“[Gardaí] have no choice but to implement the law even if they agree with us on the issue,” she said. “They see that we’re being safe, but there’s an onus on us to do this because protests are banned.”
Attendees carried placards reading “pandemic of gender violence” and “not one more” at today’s demonstration.
They also chanted “reclaim the streets” to pay tribute to Everard, and to shed light on the hundreds of women still being subjected to violence in Ireland during Covid-19.
"Reclaim the streets" – protesters attend a violence against women demonstration in Dublin city centre this afternoon following the death of Sarah Everard. pic.twitter.com/lqA9M9vgrQ
— Her.ie (@Herdotie) March 16, 2021
Sarah Everard was murdered earlier this month after being reported missing when she didn’t return home on March 3.
The 33-year-old had been walking home from her friend’s house in Clapham, London, at the time of her attack. Her remains were discovered last week.
PC Wayne Couzens was arrested on suspicion of murder, and is currently being held in police custody. PC Couzens was not on duty at the time of Sarah’s abduction. He will face trial this October.
Sarah’s death has led to much anger across the UK and elsewhere concerning continued cases of violence against women. The actions of the Metropolitan Police force have also been criticised after force was used on attendees of a vigil in Clapham on Saturday night.
Protester Patsy Stevenson, who was tackled to the ground by police over the weekend, said yesterday she “didn’t know why” force was used during the event.
“I was only there to lay a candle down. I didn’t expect that to happen. When I first heard what was going on I wanted to go down,” she said.
Stevenson added that the vigil had been peaceful before the police arrived. “I didn’t expect for it to happen so quickly,” she said. “At that moment, there is a police officer trying to pull my arm. I didn’t want to retaliate. I didn’t want to react.”
