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Silver Member Username: VarneyBirminghamEngland, UK Post Number: 474 Registered: Sep-04 | Our community has been rocked by the tragedy of a young couple, one Miss Sophie Lancaster and Mr Robert Maltby, who were viciously attacked by a large gang of intolerant thugs and kicked into unconsciousness for the way they were dressed, as they walked home, alone, together, in a skate park in Bacup, Lancashire, UK. As Mr Maltby arose from his coma, the indescribably painful news had to be broken, that his beloved Sophie didn't make it to the end of the week. She passed away, as a direct result of her horrific injuries, on 24th August, 2007, leaving a family shattered, friends bereft and a whole community of gothic music scene-goers dazed. They saw themselves as goths and this alone, according to police and many other official reports, is believed to have fuelled the attack. They were known by all to be peace-loving and gentle people. If their facial piercings, hair colour and T-shirts were enough for people to take objection to, clearly we have a very real problem in our society. The actual extent of the injuries sustained, which took Poor Sophie's life may be too upsetting to some, so I leave those who really feel the need, to use their search engines. Suffice to say that what was left of her, made it hard to believe human beings were responsible and not a pack of crazed animals. So here is my petition, brought in the spirit of peace with the hope of seeing people, regardless of dress style; of culture or musical interests, unite with us against the menace of hate, prejudice and misplaced anger towards difference or weirdness, simply because they fail to understand it. Background story here: http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/headlines/display.var.1642302.0.skatep ark_attack_girl_20_dies.php Please sign our petition here: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/goth-hatecrimes/ Some people will agree with this line of political action; others may not. If you feel so inclined, we'd love to have your support, by way of signature. If not, we understand you will have your own reasons. May you go about your business, safely and not ever have to endure the pain and suffering Sophie's family have had to bear. A special concert, with some of her favourite bands, will be held, in her honour... Details, at the BBC news website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/lancashire/6991696.stm Sophie's myspace is being maintained by her family, who are raising money, to build a foundation, to raise awareness and levels of education, among youth cultures: http://www.myspace.com/inmemoryofsophie In closing, I'd also like to use this space to remember Brian Deneke, the American teenager, who also lost his life, in similar circumstances. http://www.briandeneke.org/ Let us not forget either of them. They loved their music, just as we do. Thankyou for reading, Yours sincerely, Ade Varney (Ecoustics forum member and music lover). |
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Gold Member Username: The_image_dynamicSan Diego Post Number: 3046 Registered: Dec-06 | Great post Ade... she would be touched that you took the time to do this for her (and him). Tragedy like this seems to be more commonplace every year in the world, and the stupidity of some people never ceases to amaze me. Goths are some of the nicest and most genuine people I have met in my travels around the world and why some people feel threatened or angered by them is beyond me. R.I.P. Sophie |
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Platinum Member Username: LklivesPost Number: 13418 Registered: Jan-06 | Nice gesture on your part...no need to talk about hate rimes, they speak for themselves..Brad, said it well.. |