Community gathers on Clapham Common for vigil marking five years since Sarah Everard’s death

Posted on by Petr Kaiser in NewsComments
Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

Around 100 people gathered on Clapham Common on Tuesday evening for a peaceful vigil marking five years since the murder of Sarah Everard. The event was organised by the local community platform Best of Clapham and brought residents together to remember Sarah and reflect on women’s safety.

The vigil took place close to the area where Everard was abducted while walking home in March 2021, a case that shocked the nation and sparked widespread debate about violence against women and girls.

A moment of remembrance

Attendees gathered near the bandstand on Clapham Common for a quiet and respectful evening of reflection. Flowers were laid, candles were lit and the crowd observed a minute’s silence in memory of Sarah and other women who have lost their lives to violence.

The vigil was deliberately organised as a peaceful moment of remembrance rather than a protest, focusing on community solidarity and honouring those affected.

Mobile phone lights and candles illuminated the crowd as people stood together in silence, creating a powerful atmosphere of reflection across the Common.

Why the vigil was organised

The gathering marked the fifth anniversary of Everard’s death, remembering the 33-year-old marketing executive whose murder deeply impacted communities across the UK.

Speaking during the event, Klara Fine from Best of Clapham said the evening was about remembering Sarah as a person, not just a headline.

“We remember her not as a headline… but as Sarah, a daughter, a friend, a woman with plans and a future ahead of her.”

She also highlighted the importance of continuing conversations around women’s safety and how communities can support each other.

Community voices

Local residents and attendees also shared why they felt it was important to be there.

One attendee said gathering together in the park where the tragedy happened was a powerful moment for the community.

“Holding the vigil here… and coming together to commemorate her is actually super powerful.”

Former Clapham ward councillor Joanna Reynolds also spoke about the need for society to ensure women feel safe in public spaces and called for continued progress on tackling violence against women and girls.

Supporting charities

Alongside remembrance, the event also helped raise funds for Solace Women’s Aid, a London-based charity that supports women and children affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence.

National media coverage

The vigil received significant national media attention, with coverage appearing across several outlets including:

Images and reports from the vigil circulated widely across national media, highlighting the continued public impact of Everard’s case and the community response in Clapham.

A community coming together

Five years on, the vigil served as a reminder that Sarah Everard’s story still resonates deeply within the community where she was last seen.

The evening showed the strength of local solidarity, with residents gathering not only to remember Sarah but also to stand together in support of safer streets and stronger communities.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Best of Clapham for organising the vigil and bringing the community together for such an important moment of remembrance.