On August 11th, 2007, 20 year-old Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend Robert Maltby were viciously attacked by a group of teenagers while walking through a neighborhood park. Kicked, stamped on and left unconscious, Sophie's injuries were so severe the attackers' boot prints were left imprinted on her face. Four years ago today, Sophie died from her injuries.
Sophie and Rob committed no crime or offense to provoke the attack that ended one life and forever darkened another. They were attacked simply because they looked and dressed differently.
How many of us could this have happened to? How many of us in this beauty-junkie subculture express ourselves freely and uniquely through the color of our hair, the way we apply our makeup, what we choose to wear? Sophie died for this freedom.
In 2009, Sophie's mother Sylvia created a charity in her daughter's name. In partnership with UK based Illamasqua cosmetics and marketing firm Propaganda, The Sophie Lancaster Foundation aims to reform UK Hate Crime legislation to protect people from “alternative subcultures” as well as provide education that will challenge the prejudice and intolerance that lead to such a horrific crime.
In memory of Sophie, and the many others who have been persecuted simply for being themselves, please watch and share this video to learn how you can help S.O.P.H.I.E- Stamp Out Prejudice Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere.
1 comment:
What a sin. That is horrible. People are sick and creul. If people didn't worry so much about stupid stit maybe we could focus on the issues these sick people have.
That is truly a heart breaking story. Im sorry to those people who have had to go through something like this.
I know these are strong words but in my eyes people like that should be shot- point blank.
Remember Sophie Lancaster & make sure this NEVER happens again.
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