Sarah White, 40, climbed the steps at the Epping Forest District Council building after marching from the Bell Hotel where she had given a speech on August 31
Charges have been dropped against a woman arrested during a protest that saw her unfurl a Union flag from a council building. Sarah White, 40, ascended the steps of the Epping Forest District Council building after delivering a speech at the Bell Hotel on August 31.
Sporting a T-shirt emblazoned with “The only way is Epping”, she was pursued up the steps by police before being apprehended. Essex Police confirmed that White, from Chigwell, was arrested on suspicion of two offences under the Public Order Act 1986 and subsequently charged.
They emphasised that her arrest was not due to the act of unfurling the flag. “These matters were due to be heard at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, October 15, but they have now been withdrawn,” the force announced in a statement.
Reacting to the decision, Ms White described her treatment as “unjust.” “I have now received confirmation from the Crown Prosecution Service that there will be no further action taken against me due to insufficient evidence,” she declared, posting on X.
“The reason there is no evidence is simple: I did not commit a crime. This was an unlawful attempt to intimidate and silence ordinary people who dare to speak out. It is unacceptable that dissent is met with force and fear. I will not be silenced. I will continue to stand up – for our freedoms, for women, for children, and for this country,” reports Essex Live.
The Bell Hotel became the focal point of several protests and counter-protests in the summer after an asylum seeker housed there was charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Epping in July. Epping Forest District Council’s bid to block the use of the Bell as accommodation for asylum seekers is set to be heard at the High Court on Wednesday.
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