TODAY - Vigil in memory of women and girls killed by men

By Rory Poulter

7th Oct 2021 | Local News

A vigil will take place today on Twickenham Green to commemorate the women and girls killed by men in the UK.

Coming just days after the sentencing of a police officer for the murder of Sarah Everard, the residents of Twickenham are coming together and showing their support for victims of violence.

The event is being organised by the Women's Equality Party (WEP), who have confirmed a similar vigil will be held on the first Monday of every month.

The WEP's Richmond Branch leader Caroline Rayfield will be leading the vigil and giving a speech.

The vigil itself starts at 6pm and organisers have requested people meet by the bench dedicated to the memory of Amélie Delagrange.

Amélie was a French tourist visiting Twickenham in 2004 when she was murdered by serial killer Levi Bellfield.

Head of campaigns for Richmond Women's Equality Party, Jill Lorimer, said: "The vigil is 6pm this evening by the Amélie Delagrange memorial bench on Twickenham Green to commemorate all of the 110 women who have been murdered since the beginning of this year - 81 since Sarah Everard's death."

She said a larger number of people are expected today as the issue is in the front of people's minds following the sentencing of the officer, PC Wayne Couzens.

The first of these vigils took place on September 2nd and featured a small police presence as will the one tonight where the role of the police will be to protect the attendees and provide a safe outlet for people to discuss domestic abuse.

When asked about potential police presence Jill said: "The police have been extremely helpful and I'll find their presence reassuring.

"Yes, the Met have challenge at an institutional level but Wayne Couzens didn't kill Sarah because he was a police officer - he did it because he was an evil misogynist."

Richmond WEP say pressure from the group was instrumental in Richmond Borough Council becoming White Ribbon accredited, which is a charity focused on ending male violence against women through working with men and boys.

     

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