Seven statues were vandalised in Parliament Square during a trans rights protest yesterday (Saturday, April 19). Police are appealing for witnesses after the statues were defaced with graffiti.
No arrests have been made in connection with the criminal damage. Photos from the protest at Parliament Square showed the phrase "f*g rights" and a heart were daubed on a statue of suffragette Millicent Fawcett, while "trans rights are human rights" was sprayed on the pedestal of a bronze of ex-South African Prime Minister Jan Christian Smuts.
The protests were in response to a landmark Supreme Court ruling that decreed trans women did not legally classify as women in the Equality Act 2010. The use of "men" and "women" in the act was ruled to refer to those born as men and women, and that "sex" was binary. This ruling means that trans women can legally be excluded from women-only spaces like changing rooms, toilets and women's sports in the UK.
Chief Superintendent, Stuart Bell, who led the policing operation for the protest, said: “Criminal damage and vandalism like this has no place on the streets of London and spoils the area for locals and those visiting.
“While the police support the public’s right to protest, criminality like this is senseless and unacceptable. We are pursuing this and will take action against those responsible.
“Working with the Greater London Authority (GLA), plans are underway to remove the graffiti, but this requires specialist equipment, and we are confident this will be done shortly.
“We are keen to speak to those who saw anything on the day and urge anyone with information, pictures or footage to come forward. Please call 101, quoting 01/7396927/25.”
Police are also dealing with a number of complaints from the public about signs and images shared on social media that were reportedly displayed at the protest yesterday.
Officers are investigating, but to date, the images and signs are from historic events, did not take place in London, or do not constitute a criminal offence. Footage of the protest is being reviewed and action will be taken if there are signs displayed that breach of the law, the police said.
Get the top stories from across London directly to your inbox. Sign up for MyLondon's Daily Newsletter HERE to get the biggest stories every day.
(Feed generated with FetchRSS)
Post a Comment