*Walthamstow Reclaim These Streets Vigil Postponed*
In light of Reclaim These Streets' statement earlier today, and the lack of engagement we have received from Waltham Forest Metropolitan Police Service, we are left with no other option than to cancel this evenings vigil 1/7
Therefore, pls do not gather at Walthamstow Town Centre this evening as you could be putting yourself legally at risk. However, we are not prepared to be silenced, enough is enough, this is not the end of this conversation and we must come together to ensure all women feel 2/7
safe, and remember Sarah Everard and her loved ones at this unimaginably difficult time. We would therefore like to suggest the following as something you may choose to do:
Whilst you are outside in your local area today, this evening or over the coming days, in line with 3/7
Covid-regulations, carry a flower, we need to #reclaimthesestreets and show that we will not be silenced.
We invite you to leave this flower at your street sign, take a picture and share using the hashtag #reclaimthesestreets.
If you're able, please donate to Reclaim These Streets' crowdfunder, aiming to raise £320,000 - the cost in police penalties for the every vigil nationwide that would have gone ahead - for women's charities 5/7
🚨Update 🚨 Tonight I went down to the Stanley Road testing centre to see for myself if things have changed in the last week since my first visit. Earlier today I was told no one would be allowed to walk in without an appointment anymore, so I was 1/6
expecting it to be busy as presumably this was because all the slots for tests would be filled. However have to report again it was empty with no one queuing or entering for a test during time I was there - I really feel for the staff who I spoke to there 2/6
who are being told to turn people without an appointment away and bizarrely not to let people take photos of the site as though it is a secret. They seem frustrated too that they can’t serve the local community and still today my inbox full of people who can’t get a test 3/6