The video below shows Sophie's funeral as filmed for national television.
Hello all, this is from Sophie's Mum, Sylvia
Sophie sadly died on August 24th 2007, following the horrific attack on her and her partner Rob in Stubbeylee Park, Bacup,Lancashire on the 11th August. Sophie and Rob dressed in their unique way, expressing their individuality as creative artistic people.
I have consulted with both family and friends and we feel that Sophie's Memorial Fund should be set up. Alongside the fund we haved launched a campaign for Sophie; it will be known as S.O.P.H.I.E
This stands for:
S tamp
Out
Prejudice
Hatred +
Intolerance
Everywhere
The fund will be run by a committee of family and close friends who knew Sophie. The aims of the fund will be to provide an appropriate memorial; a lasting legacy to raise awareness of the injustice perpetrated against Sophie Lancaster and to work towards a more tolerant, less violent society.
There is now a HALIFAX bank account under the name
SOPHIE's Memorial Fund
account number 00458724
sort code 11-06-44
which can be used to make a donation or in which to deposit any funds raised from events.
for more details please email the hotmail address below.
An on-line book of condolence can be signed by going to
www.legacy.com/TheRossendaleFreePress and type in Sophie Lancaster
The family can be contacted at:
inmemoryofsophie@hotmail.co.uk
thank you for reading this and supporting the campaign.
UPDATE
The trial of Brendan Harris started on the 10th March 2008 after Ryan Herbert pleaded to the murder of Sophie.
The trial lasted three weeks and Harris was found guilty unanimously by the jury after only a short deliberation.
Sentencing took place on the 28th April 2008 , where Harris received an 18 year term and Herbert a 16 year term. Both were life sentences.
All five defendants including brothers Joseph and Danny Hulme and Daniel Mallett also had pleaded guilty to the Section 18 Assault with intent of Rob, and were given 5.5 years and 4.5 years respectively. They were sentenced as "Dangerous Offenders" under the 2003 Dangerous Offenders Act and will be detained at Her Majesty's pleasure until it is deemed that they are no longer a threat to the public.
It was announced in June that they are all to seek leave to appeal against their sentences.
Following the trial we have established THE SOPHIE LANCASTER FOUNDATION. Through the Foundation we hope to provide training to professionals in order to raise awareness of the prejudice and violence faced by people from alternative subcultures. We will develop and deliver workshops tackling the issues and challenging pre-conceptions. We want to offer advice and information to
whoever may it need it. We will continue the social and political campaigning in the same dignified manner we have adhered to since the attack on Sophie and Rob though the S.O.P.H.I.E. Campaign.
As of July 2008, over £22,000 has been raised through the fantastic efforts of many people throughout the UK and beyond. We would like to thank everyone for their kindness in organising and supporting these events.
We do all the campaigning and work for the Foundation voluntarily. We intend to seek funding as soon as possible to be able to do the work professionally as there is so much to do and it is increasingly difficult to do it all in our spare time.
We have been at times overwhelmed by your generosity of spirit. This has encouraged us to carry on our work during the most difficult of times.
We would like to express our sincere thanks for your continued support
Sylvia Lancaster and The Sophie Lancaster Foundation Committee.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZMWVPfFPug
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUiAwCP0Ocg
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A new Russian law could make being an emo kid illegal in the eastern European country.
Legislation is currently being formulated in Russia to heavily regulate emo websites and ban emo and goth dress style in schools and government buildings.
The new laws are apparently being driven by fears that these "dangerous teen trends" encourage depression and suicide.
The legislation was presented last month at a hearing held by the State Durma, where critics claimed that the "negative" emo culture encourages anti-social behavior and glorifies suicide.
Emo kids were described as teenagers who wear black, have facial piercings and black hair with fringes that "cover half the face", reports The Guardian
The weekend saw mass protests by Russian emo kids.
In Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, where laws are already being implemented, protesters in a march held signs saying "A Totalitarian State Encourages Stupidity".
Dmitry Gilevich of Russian emo band MAIO stepped in backing the protests, saying: "Expressing psychological emotions is not forbidden by law."
However, emo critics remain unconvinced.
Alexander Grishunin, an adviser to bill sponsor Yevgeny Yuryev, described a ban as necessary, stating: "This is the first step in the public discourse."
The moves in Russia follow criticism of the genre in the UK earlier this year, which saw My Chemical Romance fans protesting at the offices of British newspaper The Daily Mail over their coverage which linked emo with suicide.
Hey it’s great to see the memory still lives on and some good might come from a cowardly act! Had the old banner for a while but the new one looks more prominent, so it’s going to fly high on my site!
Thanks for the add on its a shame but please dont hate all chavs etc. Blame gangster rap, thats the vermin thats taking over our streets- not dance music lovers :)
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