SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A Yellowknife school principal is warning students they will be disciplined if any participate in Kick a Ginger Day bullying related to the event, scheduled for tomorrow.

Kick a Ginger Day is scheduled for tomorrow. Michelle Krause, principal of Range Lake North School, said students will be disciplined if she learns of any bullying activities taking place related to the event. - Ian Vaydik/NNSL photo illustration

The event, which started on the social networking website Facebook, encourages people to heap abuse on those born with red hair and freckles. Inspiration for the event came from the satirical cartoon television show South Park, which aired an episode in 2005 titled "Ginger Kids."

"It's totally unacceptable," said Michelle Krause, principal of Range Lake North School. "We are all about respect for each other."

On Nov. 24, the school will be participating in 'Wear Pink Day' where students will be encouraged to wear pink to signify their anti-bullying stance.

During the day an assembly will be held dealing with the subject of why bullying isn't right.

"It's about raising awareness that bullying is not acceptable," said Krause. "Everyone has their differences whether it's the colour of your skin or the colour of your hair, there is no reason for bullying."

Rob Frenette, co-founder of the national anti-bullying group BullyingCanada, said he considers Kick a Ginger Day a "hate crime."

"Plain and simple it's bullying," said Frenette. "Someone is being assaulted for their hair colour."

"It's wrong," agreed Katie Neu, a redhead and also a co-founder of the New Brunswick and Ontario-based group. "I'm glad I wasn't in school when it came out."

But Josh Hardy, a redheaded student in Grade 11 at St. Patrick High School, doesn't take the event too seriously.

"A couple of friends have teased me before but they were just joking around," he said.

Yellowknife resident Cory Switzer isn't too alarmed either.

"As a redhead I take it as more of a joke than anything," said Switzer. "I haven't been kicked, yet. If I get kicked, I'll kick back, unless there are a mob of people bloodthirsty for kicking gingers."

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