Protest fines: PSNI action at demo on violence against women
THE PSNI handed out fines to demonstrators in Belfast last night as they called for an end to violence against women in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard. Speaker Lucy Marron (above) was among a number of people at Writer’s Square issued with a £200 fine by police under the coronavirus regulations, which restrict outside gatherings.
STORMONT has been challenged to end gender violence by speakers at a Reclaim These Streets protest in Belfast — some of whom were fined for breaching Covid regulations.
The demonstration at Writers’ Square follows similar gatherings in Britain and the Republic after the murder of Sarah Everard in England.
Women and men attended yesterday evening, wearing masks and standing on socially-distanced markers.
Lucy Marron from socialist feminist movement Rosa NI told the crowd they felt they had no choice but to take a stand, saying women were dying as a result of gender violence. “We are here because we are all too familiar with the reality that this is not just one woman... we are here because it is clear we are not safe in our homes, we are not safe in our workplaces, and we are not safe on our streets and we are angry,” she said.
As a result of the protest, Ms Marron was among a number of people issued with £200 fines by police under the coronavirus regulations.
Afterwards, she said: “I still hold that this was a completely necessary protest, that we conducted this in a safe and responsible manner. Women are dying, women are being beaten, women don’t feel safe in their homes, workplaces or streets, so I stand by that I was here today.”