HUG A GOTH DAY..A tribute to Sophie Lancaster

Today is the International "Hug-a-goth" day. After the Hug a metalhead and hug a punk day, it was time to create a day for the goth community. The initiative is said to have been organized via Facebook. I actually found out about it by luck..! :P 

but, why today 24th August?

Today is the recurrence of the death of a fellow english Goth, Sophie Lancaster.  In 2007, she and her boyfriend were attacked by two teenagers for the only reason that they were dressed gothic. Sophie was beaten so hard that she fell into a coma and sadly never woke up.

This crime has been perceived badly not only by goths, who considered it an extreme example of social intolerance, but also by the overall alternative community including metalheads, punks etc.

Really, how SICK must you be to kill a person just because of a different fashion style? What MENTAL ISSUES do you have?!?! and we Goths are the freak sickos?? C'mon!


(Goths at Sophie Lancaster's Memorial during Whitby Gothic weekend)

Sentencing in the case was set for 28 April 2008. Both Harris and Herbert (the murderers) were sentenced to life imprisonment with the trial judge recommending that Harris should serve at least eighteen years and Herbert at least sixteen years and three months.

In his closing remarks the judge described the attack as "feral thuggery" which raised serious questions about the "sort of society which exists in this country". He added: "This was a terrible case which has shocked and outraged all who have heard about it. At least wild animals, when they hunt in packs, have a legitimate reason for so doing, to obtain food. You have none and your behaviour on that night degrades humanity itself." 

♥