An Adelaide high school teacher has been suspended following a controversial Halloween costume that sparked significant backlash. Guy Harrison, the Design and Technology coordinator at Urrbrae Agricultural High School, portrayed the late American podcaster Charlie Kirk, wearing a bloody shirt and a fake bullet wound. The incident occurred on October 31, 2023, during a themed dress-up day at the school.
Principal Todd George confirmed that Harrison had been “removed from campus” while an investigation is underway. In a letter to parents, George described the costume as “completely unacceptable.” Harrison, who remains on leave, expressed to 7NEWS.com.au that his portrayal was not intended to be as sinister as it was perceived, stating, “I believe I have a more nuanced version than has been reported.”
Photos of Harrison’s costume circulated among students, despite a statewide ban on mobile phones in schools. This prompted a petition for his reinstatement, which garnered nearly 700 signatures within hours. The petition’s organizers voiced concerns over how Harrison was treated and highlighted the implications for fairness and justice within the school community. Parents shared their support, noting that Harrison was a “well-liked” teacher and questioning whether the punishment fit the crime of his “questionable choice” in costume.
One parent commented, “As a parent, I’m way more concerned that children were able to view and share the actual assassination incident during school hours on their mobile devices than a well-respected teacher making a questionable choice of costume.” Others echoed this sentiment, suggesting that a simple conversation with Harrison could have sufficed instead of a suspension.
Students also joined the discussion, with one noting they were unaware of who Charlie Kirk was until his death. Another remarked, “Harrison is a good teacher. They’re rare these days.”
Charlie Kirk, a controversial figure in American politics, was shot and killed during a live debate at Utah Valley University in September 2023. He was known for his conservative views and his role as the head of the Turning Point movement, which garnered millions of followers across social media platforms. His alleged assailant, Tyler Robinson, was arrested following a 33-hour manhunt and has been charged with aggravated murder. The investigation is ongoing.
In a related incident, teachers at a separate school in the US faced criticism for wearing bloodied shirts, initially perceived as a reference to Kirk. The Vail School District superintendent later clarified that the shirts were part of a math-themed Halloween costume, meant to represent solving tough math problems.
Urrbrae Agricultural High School announced that counseling services are available for any students affected by the incident. The school community continues to grapple with the implications of Harrison’s costume and the broader conversation around sensitivity and expression in educational environments.
