Heavy metal principal in St Catharine gets world-wide support from rock fans
Published October 13, 2021 at 12:10 pm
The petition to remove the popular principal of a St Catharines high school has been taken down from the internet.
The story got world-wide attention after Sharon Burns, principal of Eden High school, posted a picture on Instagram showing the mascot named Eddie of the heavy metal band, Iron Maiden, holding a hand-drawn sign that said “666.”
The number is used in the band’s album “The Number of the Beast” and is long believed to have ties to satanic counter-culture.
The original petition seems to have little issues with Burns’ musical choice but rather the use of the 666.
“As concerned parents with impressionable children at Eden High School in St. Catharines, Ontario, we are deeply disturbed that the principal assigned to the school blatantly showed Satanic symbols and her allegiance to satanic practices on her public social media platforms where all the students can see them,” the petition read.
However, it stalled after receiving just 553 signatures and was pulled down yesterday (October 12).
But a counter petition asking that Burns stay put at the school called “We Need Mrs. Burns” received a staggering 22,000-plus votes, garnering world-wide attention since the school has an attendance roll of less than 850 students.
The second petition states frankly, “Recently, there has been a petition going around to “remove” the principal of Eden High School. It is ridiculous that a couple of parents only judge her role as a principal only based on an Instagram post. (About liking the band Iron Maiden. That’s it.) Eden High School is a public school. Not a Christian school.”
It continued, “If you somehow don’t like the principal of your child, grandchild, relative etc.’s school, then send them to another one. The principal has made so many efforts to remind students that Eden is a diverse place. She has even turned a whole room into a prayer room for students who are practicing religions other than Christianity, like practicing Islam. She has made Eden a safe space for so many people. She spreads nothing but love and kindness, and is probably one of the best and most enthusiastic principals the school has ever had. If you would like to bring some light to this whole petition, please consider signing!”
While Burns could not be reached for comment, it is known she quickly removed the Instagram post once she got news of the original petition.
However, heavy metal band, Danko Jones, based in Toronto, got word of the situation Monday and invited Burns to attend one of their upcoming shows.
It was an offer that Burns could not refuse as she quickly asked the band to direct message her.
(Photo of Sharon Burns courtesy of Eden High school)
