In the Sarah Everard case, there is an emerging trope - criticising those who have 'politicised' her death, and intimating that the protests would not be welcomed by her family and friends.
There are a few things here worth unpicking. Thread. 1/9
There are a few things here worth unpicking. Thread. 1/9
First, I am not sure on what basis people are presuming to know what Sarah's family and friends are going through, and how they are reacting to the way things are unfolding. My guess is that they have a wide range of views and thoughts. 2/9
Second, it is worth distinguishing between the publicity which Sarah's death and the investigation into it is attracting; and the broader debate about womens' safety, the role of the police and the right to protest. 3/9
In relation to each of these, the family and friends may, again, have very different views.
The public nature of the case creates both challenges and opportunities. It is - unavoidably - now something that they will have to cope with. 4/9
The public nature of the case creates both challenges and opportunities. It is - unavoidably - now something that they will have to cope with. 4/9
The broader debate (whether it takes the form of vigils or protests; or calls for change in the law or in policing practice) may or may not, should or should not, be linked to Sarah's death. Again, it is easy to see both sides. 5/9
I am lucky enough not to have been in the situation now facing Sarah's friends and family. But I have been thinking about how I would be likely to react. 6/9
My sense is that I would hate the publicity, and would value the opportunity to grieve/process what has happened in private. I'd feel uneasy about a lot of the media coverage (and, as a lawyer, would also be worrying about the impact of that coverage on the criminal process). 7/9
But, I would find it difficult not to be moved by the vigils, and would be unlikely to condemn those seeking to mark Sarah's death. I would be struggling to understand the police's reaction on Saturday. I would be angry and dismayed. 8/9
Sarah's family and friends may well see things very differently. I don't know.
But I do find it curious how their supposed views are - very frequently - invoked by those seeking to condemn those who have been moved by Sarah's death to take action. 9/9
But I do find it curious how their supposed views are - very frequently - invoked by those seeking to condemn those who have been moved by Sarah's death to take action. 9/9
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