Just Treatment response to the policing of the Sarah Everard vigil

In the wake of the outrageous police response at the Sarah Everard vigil on Saturday 13th March, we want to express our anger and outrage at the treatment of peaceful mourners. What should have been a safe space for women to collectively grieve and stand together against gender based violence was turned into a violent space at the hands of the Metropolitan Police.

The context of what happened on Saturday made it all the more appalling. But, as an organisation that campaigns on health equality, we have felt the need to speak out on this not only because gender based violence cuts across all areas of society, but also because we see the impact that this kind of violent and aggressive policing has on minority and marginalised communities throughout society - including on people’s right to health. To overcome health inequalities in the UK we need to challenge the racist and patriarchal institutions which are perpetuating those injustices.

Indeed, our right to health has been built on the back of effective protest. As a patient-led organisation we are proud to come from a long line of groups that have won better health for all by organising to change politics and policy. The events of Saturday have cast increased focus on the Policing Bill which is before parliament today, which places severe restrictions on our right to protest. It is part of a concerted, anti-democratic effort to silence us when we seek to speak out against harm, and it must be stopped. So we stand proudly in solidarity with all those affected by police violence this weekend, as we stand with all those who fight for their rights in the face of injustice and discrimination. Parliamentarians must vote to protect them and the right we all have to demand change.

Lobby your MP for Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP's amendment to the Policing Bill defending our right to protest using this tool from CWU: cwu.eaction.org.uk/freedomassembly