A teacher at Villa Park High School in Orange County is under investigation for allegedly removing a student memorial dedicated to conservative activist Charlie Kirk. According to the Los Angeles Times, the memorial was set up by students without prior notice to the school. Superintendent Rachel H. Monárrez confirmed that the Orange Unified School District is investigating the incident but could not discuss specific allegations due to personnel rules.
The memorial, which included bouquets and notes, was initially placed alongside a 9/11 tribute at the school’s outdoor amphitheater. An administrator suggested moving it to a public sidewalk for greater visibility. However, by 10 a.m. on the same day, students received messages that the memorial had been taken down. A parent reportedly captured a photo of a woman, identified by students as a teacher, removing the items and placing them in her car.
The materials were later found in an off-campus dumpster and returned to the school to restore the memorial. Yahoo News reported that Alex Tran, a former student government leader at Villa Park High, described the act as vandalism and a violation of free speech.
The incident occurs amid a broader national trend of disciplinary actions against employees accused of celebrating Kirk’s assassination last week at a Utah college campus. Superintendent Monárrez emphasized the district’s commitment to focusing on educational outcomes and moving beyond cultural conflicts. The investigation continues, and the district is considering appropriate disciplinary actions if necessary.
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