Several statues in Parliament Square, including one of women’s votes campaigner Dame Millicent Fawcett, were vandalized, prompting Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to label the act as “disgraceful.” Transgender activists gathered to protest a Supreme Court ruling that defined a woman based on biological sex for the Equality Act. Cooper expressed support for the Metropolitan Police’s investigation and vowed to bolster laws protecting monuments. The police are looking into the incidents as instances of criminal damage, with no arrests made as of yet.
Among the statues defaced was one of former South African prime minister Jan Smuts, which had graffiti stating “trans rights are human rights.” Cooper condemned the acts of criminal damage, emphasizing the importance of respecting memorials honoring figures like Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, and Millicent Fawcett. While acknowledging the value of freedom of speech and protest in a democracy, Cooper reiterated that such vandalism is unacceptable. The Metropolitan Police, present at Parliament Square during the protests, did not witness the vandalism due to the area’s crowded nature.
Ch Supt Stuart Bell expressed disappointment over the damage caused to seven statues and surrounding property during the protest, denouncing the criminal behavior. Women and Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson’s spokesperson strongly condemned the defacement of Dame Millicent’s statue, emphasizing the monument’s significance in the fight for women’s rights. Additionally, complaints about signs and images shared on social media during the protest are being addressed by the Met, with potential legal action for any breaches. The statue of Dame Millicent, the only female figure represented in Parliament Square, was unveiled in 2018 following a campaign led by feminist activist Caroline Criado Perez.
Strengthening laws to protect important memorials and condemning criminal damage, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and other officials spoke out against the vandalism of statues in Parliament Square. With investigations ongoing into the graffiti, the Metropolitan Police are seeking information from the public. Moreover, the protest’s impact on single-sex spaces, as ruled by the Supreme Court, sparked demonstrations in various cities, including Reading, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. The defacement of historical statues, including the only female representation in Parliament Square, highlights the ongoing debates and tensions surrounding issues of gender identity and public expression
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