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Thursday, August 28, 2008, 15:53
The parade was calling for an end to oppression against those who dress differently and the freedom to be individuals.
The procession of alternative dressers, most clad in black, moved from the Sundial at midday, up Armada Way, and around the city centre.
Those who took part said they were pleased they could show their feelings to others in the city.
The march was also organised in memory of Sophie Lancaster, a young woman who was murdered simply for the way she looked.
Sophie was brutally attacked along with her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, while walking through a park near Manchester almost a year ago to the day.
As a result of her severe head injuries she went into a coma and later died. The couple wore gothic fashion and were members of the goth subculture.
The march in Plymouth’s city centre was one of a handful of processions across the country for the SOPHIE campaign – which stands for Stamp Out Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere.
Doka Chapman, one of the organisers of the march in Plymouth, kicked off the event with a rallying speech.
He told The Herald: “We wanted to organise the march to show people that they are not alone if they are being picked on for what they wear.
“It was also to remember Sophie. It was an excellent turnout by many people.”
The banners were out during the march and there was also a drummer. Doka also expressed outrage during the walk over the fact that Sophie’s killers have been granted leave to appeal against their life sentences.
Hayley Seeney, 23, from Stonehouse, took part in the march. She said: “The march was not just for goths. It was for everyone who wants to stamp out prejudice.
“It also gave young people more courage to be themselves.
“There is a problem with the way people treat goths and alternative dressers in Plymouth. We get a lot of abuse – I have had stones thrown at my house.
“But marches like that help to raise awareness that things like that happen. It was a fantastic event in Plymouth.”
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It would be much more appropriate to have an outsized bronze or even brightly coloured acryllic statue of one of Beryl Cook's Janner women.
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