Speaking out against hate crime at Police event
Dr Stevie-Jade Hardy from the University’s Centre for Hate Studies will be joining a panel discussion about hate crime, alongside the Police Crime Commissioner for Leicester and the mother of hate crime victim Sophie Lancaster.
The public event, funded by the PCC, aims to bring together representatives from local and national organisations and projects tackling hate crime. At the event there will also be representatives from Stamp It Out, Tell MAMA and Community Security Trust.
The discussion will follow a screening of the BBC film Black Roses, which tells the story Sophie Lancaster and her mother’s recollections of her. Sophie was just 20 years-old, when she and her boyfriend Rob Maltby were attacked in a Lancashire park in 2007. She suffered severe head injuries and spent thirteen days in hospital where she never regained consciousness.
Following her death, Sylvia created a lasting legacy for her daughter by setting up The Sophie Lancaster Foundation. Eight years on she is still campaigning to stamp out prejudice and intolerance towards people from alternative subcultures.
Dr Hardy said: “I am so pleased to be taking part in such an important event. Sophie Lancaster’s death epitomises just how insidious prejudice views can be. This event will not only help to raise awareness of hate crime, but it will also help to demonstrate that we all have a collective responsibility to challenge bigotry and intolerance in all its forms.”
The event will be taking place on May 21 between 12.30-2.30pm and again 5.30-7.30pm at Phoenix Square.