Sarah Everard: Vigil of solidarity to go ahead in Chichester today

A vigil of solidarity is being held in Chichester today to mourn the death of Sarah Everard and show solidarity with women facing violence and abuse.
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University of Chichester student Ella Clark, 22, set up the vigil of solidarity to mourn Sarah Everard who disappeared in Clapham on March 3 while walking home. The 33-year-old's body was found in Kent days later.

The vigil is being held in Oaklands Park from 5.30pm today (Tuesday, March 16). Organisers have said the vigil will observe Covid-19 rules.

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Ella said she and a five other students had decided to set up the vigil to highlight the strength of feeling over the dangers women face across the country.

Oakland's Park as viewed from Broyle Road. Picture via Google StreetviewOakland's Park as viewed from Broyle Road. Picture via Google Streetview
Oakland's Park as viewed from Broyle Road. Picture via Google Streetview

She said: "This is a vigil of solidarity for women who have experienced violence on our streets and also in solidarity with Sarah Everard.

"We have thought strongly recently about women's safety in Chichester and we wanted to show that there are young women in Chichester who want to speak out about this and want to make a change and want to stop these things from happening to women."

Ella said she believes violence against women is a 'massive issue' in Chichester, and added: "I think it is a massive issued everywhere else too. More than 100 women are raped and more than 100 are sexually assaulted on a daily basis in England and Wales."

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She added: "We are asking people to bring a candle and there will be a two minutes silence so if they want to bring a blanket to sit down."

"I am estimating about 100 people will turn up, and I really hope so. The more the better."

For more information you can visit the event's Facebook page here.