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'Have some respect': Sydney TikTok sensation slammed over Anzac stunt

A famous TikTok star who has amassed millions of followers thanks to his flamboyant antics around Sydney has been criticised for a disrespectful stunt at the city’s main war memorial.

Harry Tate, who shot to fame on the popular video-sharing platform thanks to his public dancing, big hair and trademark small glasses, shared two videos earlier this week outside the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park in the city’s CBD.

In one of the videos, Tate dances to a Pitbull track while a security guard at the memorial tries to usher him and the cameraman away from the area.

Tate appears to antagonise one security guard as he asks him to move on. Source: TikTok
Tate appears to antagonise one security guard as he asks him to move on. Source: TikTok

However Tate fails to do so and gets close to the man’s face, appearing to antagonise him.

In the other video, this time ‘vibing’ to a Madonna track, he is seen on the newly renovated southern walkway where a different security guard is trying to move Tate away, yet he continues to dance and thrust his hips for the camera.

In response to the videos, the Office of Veterans Affairs issued a reminder to the public on acceptable behaviour around the Anzac Memorial and other places of remembrance.

“The Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park honours the service, sacrifice and courage of all servicemen, servicewomen and their families and should be treated with due respect,” a spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia.

According to the memorial’s website, the memorial “stands proudly as one of the state’s most significant cultural and commemorative institutions, continuing in its original purpose as a war memorial and as a place of commemoration, remembrance, education and reflection.”

While the majority of the comments on the posts were requests for future videos, several users slammed Tate for what they deemed disrespectful behaviour.

“Yea Tate maybe not outside the war memorial,” one person wrote.

“Have some respect for veterans and the fallen,” another chided.

Tate 'vibes' in front of a security guard at the memorial who appears to be ushering him away from the area. Source: TikTok
Tate 'vibes' in front of a security guard at the memorial who appears to be ushering him away from the area. Source: TikTok

“Bruh you’re not allowed to film there it’s a memorial site, that’s a place to show respect,” one person said.

Tate has more than 2.7 million followers on TikTok, and he regularly posts videos of himself dancing all across the Sydney area. He has been contacted via his social media channels for comment.

In June, Tate sparked anger among animal cruelty activists after he was filmed eating KFC in front of vegan protesters.

In December last year, two men were charged over separate incidents after urinating on the Anzac Memorial.

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