Justice for Sophie

September 13, 2007, 1:13 PM

Im sure people in the UK have heard of Sophie Lancaster. If not, then please read on:

Sophie was 20 when she died. She was a gothic girl who was just walking through a park with hre boyfriend Robert. When 5 youths decided they would starts something over their appearance. This is beyond disgusting that they were targeted over what they wore and had an interest in. Whats so sad also is that my friend knew and worked with her She was a lovely, care-free, honest girl who gave people no matter what their age, race, religion a chance. She didnt deserve this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky News

Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend Robert Maltby, 21, were both beaten unconscious as they walked through the park in Bacup, Lancashire, in the early hours on August 11.

The couple, from Bacup, were dressed as "goths" and it is understood they have been targeted in the past for the way they dressed and looked.
Miss Lancaster fell into a coma after suffering severe head and facial injuries in the assault near the skate park area of Stubbylee Park.
She died at Salford's Hope Hospital on August 24. Mr Maltby also fell into a coma and suffered bleeding on his brain. He has since been discharged from hospital and is recovering from his injuries.

Two 15-year-old boys from Bacup were remanded in custody by Burnley magistrates. Two boys, aged 15 and 16, from Shawforth, Rochdale, and a 17-year-old male from Bacup were granted bail. All five youths will reappear before Burnley Youth Court on October 18 when the case will be committed to Preston Crown Court.

When will it end? People attacking othersover what clothes they wear?! Its beyond madness and sickening that people are stooping this low just to have a fight with people. the fact they just want to attack people is bad enough, but using the fact they were dressed as goths as an excuse is no excuse at all.

September 13, 2007, 4:10 PM

To be entirely honest, I haven't heard of this, although I agree with the point that's being made. I know that, just the other night, my friend was targeted by a group of 'chavs' simply because she wore skinny jeans and converse shoes; as opposed to trackie bottoms and trainers.

September 13, 2007, 4:50 PM

I also have not heard of this but the reasopn is not entirely new, chavs are the main cause for these kind of incidents for a long time, their main targets are people who dress/are gothic, why I don't know but franctly it is disgusting over what they use as an excuse for fighting and killing people

September 13, 2007, 5:22 PM

I too have had my share of verbal abuse from chavs and the odd random emo. Thankfully its never pysical abuse because at the end of the day we are only expressing ourseleves through what we wear, listen to, watch, read, etc.

Im sure Ive had dodgy looks from people for wearing a Hello Kitty top, black combats, Powerpuff Girls bag, Vans shoes, my black glasses and a Harry Potter book. It was an unfair attack on 2 innconet people. These guys need to be made examples of that they're behaviour shouldnt be tolerated.

September 13, 2007, 5:31 PM

people make judgements by appearance, I have to be honest in my opinion if I saw you wearing these things I would probably think you are weird/childish. but still I don't think that gives anyone a right to fight someone

September 14, 2007, 5:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FFGuy

people make judgements by appearance, I have to be honest in my opinion if I saw you wearing these things I would probably think you are weird/childish. but still I don't think that gives anyone a right to fight someone

Werid and childish? Its what I chose to wear and read. That makes me werid? im sorry, but you dont need to fight someone if youre going to make horrible comments like that. Damage is already done.

You sound lke one of those who make people scared to wear what they want in fear of being seen as someone childish and werid.

September 14, 2007, 5:34 PM

no, i don't mean to be rude I am just saying if i did not know you or understand why you had these, franctly wear what you like it is not my decision on what you choose to have an interest in

September 14, 2007, 5:38 PM

But to class someone as werid because what they are wearing IMO is wring and basically rude. You dont know what the person is like. Yeah we do judge by looks and I wish society would stop this because it can put peoples health in danger.

September 14, 2007, 5:41 PM

yes exactly, and I, just like most people in society judge by looks rather than what people are like inside and that is the problem with todays society

September 14, 2007, 8:20 PM

Ugh, that's sickening. Sadly, I don't think this kind of thing will ever stop. People can be very judgemental, and its very difficult to break people of their prejudices. I mean this is technically a hate crime. I hope those kids get charged with murder; none of this "manslaughter" bullshit. They killed someone in a HATE crime. Any time you target someone because of what they look like, for their beliefs (be it religious or otherwise), or because of their race/gender/background, it is a hate crime.

I'm pretty glad to say that this kind of thing probably wouldn't happen in New York City. I've seen people there wear/do really strange stuff, and people passing by don't even give it a second glance. As a result, I think I've been shielded from some of the uglier types of people, like the people who murdered Sophie.