To be angry at the frenzy caused by others last night

[BarometerTV]

I think it was utterly disrespectful. We are in lockdown and it was not the right time for a protest. I agree with a quiet, respectful, socially distanced space to grieve - which is what appeared to happen during the day.

@marshflamingo

I agree that the police attacking women at a vigil was disgraceful.

I am very angry about their conduct and their complete lack of humility in acknowledging how badly they fucked up.

This x 💯

Bastards.

The Met Police behaved appalling, it was badly judged, badly planned, badly executed, and badly managed.

They could have stood at the sides, quietly reminded people of social distancing rules, and observed.

The footage of a woman, with her hands in the air, being violently shoved to the grounds, whilst posing zero threat ... at a vigil to remember victims of male violence, is jaw dropping.

Did the police use these tactics at the far right gatherings that sprung up around BLM? Did they use these tactics when Liverpool fans gathered to celebrate winning the league ? Nope..

The Met are using COVID as an excuse ...and it is an excuse.

Maybe if they spent a bit more time investigated misogynistic crime, there would be fewer offenders on the street. After that display last night, I’ll be surprised if any women feel safe enough to report any misogynistic crime.

If this was supposed to be a safe space for women to decry the actions of men, why in the footage on Sky news were the majority of attendees in shot actually male?

@StartingGrid

If this was supposed to be a safe space for women to decry the actions of men, why in the footage on Sky news were the majority of attendees in shot actually male?

I thought that too, when I was watching that footage!

The only thing that should have mattered at this stage was the family’s wishes. They requested that the meeting/ vigil/protest did not go ahead. Her body was only recovered a few days ago, the family deserve the space to grieve.

There was a placard that said ‘I am Sarah’ for the family that is so disrespectful. You might be a Sarah , presumably the intention was to use it as a descriptor of all vulnerable women , but to the family this is hugely disrespectful and if you cannot see that then we have lost something . So many people going on about their right to protest, what about the right of the family not to have their memories highjacked by people who never met their daughter/sister/niece.

It shouldn't have gone ahead. The family didn't want it. The Met said no. It's a disgrace that people are so disrespectful. Why couldn't people just stay at home! ffs!

@EvilPea

i don't understand the need for people to gather to remember someone they didn't know Because she could have been any woman, just walking home. I for one, would have gone had it not been for Covid. Women make choices and adjust our behaviour to stay safe. We shouldn’t have to, but we do. That’s why people went for someone they didn’t know. Because it so easily could have been any of us

I didn't go precisely because I was sure it would end up with kettling and the easiest targets being planted face first into the ground.

City of London police were always nice when I was up there regularly - because there was almost always a protest or march going on at the time I was leaving, they'd do things like come over and let me know the march was on its way/offer to walk me through barricades so I could get back home.

I've also seen Met officers deliberately try and provoke kids into McDonalds- fortunately, I knew the kids concerned from work, so managed to defuse things before it went any further. But the way he treated them was enough for me to think 'I'd want to tell you to fuck off for that'.

What I think some elements want to bring back is the fucking SPG. I spent way too much time with my mates as a kid, running like fuck from them before we got a few slaps for mixing with [insert racist word] - when we weren't running like fuck away from the National Front goons that infested the area. Best escape was the day we accidentally led the two groups into one another. It looked like a Millwall away game when we looked back.

[quote BarometerTV]@Dobbyafreeelf - a large public gathering, ignoring Covid rules? Shouting shame on you at ALL police officers for the actions of one? It was taken over by political activists. It was respectful during the day. What the hell were the police supposed to do?????[/quote]
@BarometerTV
What part of IT WAS PEACEFUL TILL THE POLICE ARRIVED can you not understand. Somethings are bigger than covid!!! Have a word with yourself OP

@StartingGrid

If this was supposed to be a safe space for women to decry the actions of men, why in the footage on Sky news were the majority of attendees in shot actually male?

Photographers and reporters?

@BarometerTV
They were shouting shame on you for their actions at the vigil not what happened to Sarah!

@Roussette I’m not sure about that comparison - this was a vigil/protest where a woman’s body had only just been discovered. The protest against the Irish rugby players I agreed with entirely - and I supported it 100%. It was appropriate. This was not appropriate, and has led to more anger against the police when they are faced with a bloody hard job particularly during Covid times.

The only thing that should have mattered at this stage was the family’s wishes. They requested that the meeting/ vigil/protest did not go ahead

I agree completely
The disruption was predictable - regardless of the rights and wrongs it often happens at such things - and as with the sobbing over someone most didn't even know, I'm not sure how it respected Sarah

Better, surely, to have made a donation to Reclaim These Streets (which TBF some probably did). Less fun than a bit of public boo-hooing perhaps, but probably more effective in the end

It makes us women look like disrespectful harpies

Whole tray of

You have not stopped condemning the women from last night Barometer. Continually

Yet no condemnation for the hundreds of Rangers fans shouting and singing. Despite being asked about them.

YABU and seem to be swallowing the 'they made us do it' excuse from the Met's official statement

We absolutely did not want to be in a position where enforcement action was necessary. But we were placed in this position because of the overriding need to protect people’s safety.

Ps new poster or namechanger?

Did you initiate the thread because you expected people to agree with you?

Funny how all the men celebrating Rangers winning the league and jumping on cars were just watched by the police but a crowd of mainly women and in they go to ‘sort them out’

My mate and I said exactly that when we were talking on the phone a little while ago. The last time I saw such appalling manhandling and intimidation of a group of women was at Greenham Common in the early 80s.

I thought attitudes might have moved on in the last 4 decades, but it would appeal not.

It makes us women look like disrespectful harpies

So? I'd rather look like a disrespectful harpy than put up with yet another murder of a woman going about her own business.
I'd rather look like a disrespectful harpy than be told, yet again, to be quiet, agreeable and not rock the boat.

I will give the police exactly the kind of respect they earn.

Women's lives matter. You are being outrageously unreasonable.

During the BLM protests the police were busy taking the knee. A woman murdered by a policeman and its all hands to the pumps.

@DuncinToffee

YABU and seem to be swallowing the 'they made us do it' excuse from the Met's official statement

We absolutely did not want to be in a position where enforcement action was necessary. But we were placed in this position because of the overriding need to protect people’s safety.

Ps new poster or namechanger?

It’s the classic abusers’ line “Now look what you made me do”.

I'd have wanted my daughter to be remembered, not for it to become about a wider political message.

I dont think it is entirely about Sarah any more. And i think that's ok. This is for every woman who has ever felt scared while out and about and to bring about change so that we can all feel safe.

I don't think the police acted correctly at all and have made anti-police feelings worse. It was too heavy handed and not the right thing for the met to be involved in. However, on Twitter Sisters Uncut (who previously supported a transwoman who attacked a 60yr old women) were giving tips to anyone going to the vigil, such as don't take ID with you and write our details/solicitors details on your arm under your shirt sleeve. They were obviously expecting arrests and looking at other posts, were going to be protesting rather than attending a vigil. They have arranged another protest at Scotland Yard today.

It's a difficult one. Of course we are pissed off that women seem to be easy targets, but is decrying the entire Met helpful? Would it not be better to try to work together to improve things rather than keep changing ACAB and fuck the police? I'm completely torn about the whole thing personally.

I just hope Sarah's friends and family haven't had their grief worsened by the actions of either side

OP - what you seem to be failing to acknowledge is that it was the poor police handling of the event right from the point it was first planned that created this situation.
You also seem to over-focusing on whether it was appropriate or not to hold a vigil. You are NOT the person who decides this. People (as yet) are still free to publicly express their opinions and feelings in any way they wish unless it is a hate crime. You or I can express what we we feel, but last time I looked being inappropriate was not a crime. Ironically as women we would a lot safer from men if it was!

You may also be a little naive to not think what family friends have said publicly may have been influenced by the very police investigating. Victims families at their most vulnerable are often guided by the police, most of the time this will be helpful to the investigation, at other times their will be other agendas at play.