Thousands of protesters rallied in South London near where the 33-year-old woman was last seen, despite police warnings that the event would be unlawful because of coronavirus restrictions.

Thousands of people gathered in south London on Saturday for a vigil in tribute to Sarah Everard, the 33-year-old woman whose killing has touched off a national reckoning over violence against women, despite police warnings that the event would be unlawful.

As darkness fell, a growing crowd chanted “Shame on you!” and “How many more!” In what became a rally against gender violence, some clapped their hands and others held tea lights or signs that read “End Violence Against Women” and “She Was Only Walking Home.”

The event, in Clapham Common, near where Ms. Everard was last seen on March 3 on her way back from a friend’s house, had drawn small groups at first, with people gathering in silence around a memorial where flowers had been laid. Earlier, Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, was among those who placed flowers at the memorial.

Several women were arrested at the event and handcuffed by the police, according to videos shared on social media. Other protesters, some unmasked, engaged in tense faceoffs with the police. [ . . . ]

More at NY Times: Banned Vigil for Sarah Everard Becomes Large Anti-Violence Rally Instead