SW News:

A pastor in the Canadian city of  Calgary was arrested for violating a release order that banned him from remaining within a 200-meter limit of events concerning the LGBT community. Pastor Derek Reimer of Mission 7 Ministries was arrested shortly after a new bylaw banning any sort of protest near city recreational facilities and public libraries hosting drag queen reading events. 

Known as the Safe and Inclusive Access Bylaw, the bylaw penalizes violators with a fine of up to $7,310 or imprisonment of up to one year.  According to Fox News, on March 2, the same pastor was arrested after three men removed him from the Seton Library location of the Calgary Public Library on Feb. 25 where drag queens were reading books to children. This week, he was also given a 30-day trespass notice when he undertook a silent prayer session in the Municipal Building to register his protest against the draconian bylaw. 

Fox News quoted Pastor Artur Pawlowski of Street Church and Cave of Adullam Church in Calgary as saying, “Everyone who is visible, everyone in Canada who is boldly proclaiming Christianity, has become an open target.” 

Meanwhile, the City Council issued a statement defending the new bylaw saying, “The City is committed to ensuring that all Calgarians who wish to access public services and facilities are not being exposed to messaging or behavior that is hateful, intimidates, harasses, or discriminates.” 

After being passed in a 10-5 vote, the bylaw went into effect immediately. It says “protests targeting any race, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age, place of origin, marital or family status, sexual orientation, or income source must not take place within 100 meters (328 feet) of a public library or city-operated recreation center entrances.” 

As per the new bylaw, anyone who prevents anyone from entering or leaving a recreational center will be charged with harassment.