Calgarians protest at the Remand Centre in support of arrested pastor
Almost two hundred people lobbied for the release of a local pastor outside of the Calgary Remand Centre on Saturday.
Tim Stephens was arrested Monday after allegedly violating a court order and holding an outdoor service that defied pandemic-related public health orders.
On Saturday, friends, family and parishioners called for him to be let go during an afternoon of song and speech.
"I think as parents, it's important for us to be role models," attendee Trey told CTV News. "Standing up for what you believe in is the most important thing."
Stephens is the pastor at Fairview Baptist Church.
Calgary Police Service and Alberta Health Services officials say Monday's arrest followed "repeated calls from concerned citizens regarding church services."
It also came after a months-long back and forth that saw authorities visit Fairview Baptist on multiple occasions and eventually order its doors closed to the public.
The southeast facility was shut down by AHS on May 17 and again on June 5 due to "ongoing public health concerns surrounding worship services during the pandemic."
According to the orders, services with upward of 150 parishioners were held at the church and physical distancing was not maintained between separate households.
Some of those in attendance were not wearing face masks, including Stephens.
Authorities argue the pastor was given plenty of opportunity to comply with orders and that he acknowledged an injunction but chose to continue to host rule-breaking services.
His supporters who gathered to protest say he should be left alone to follow a different set of rules.
"There is a book in the world, the bible, and some people are bound to this book," Oleg Schmalz told CTV News.
"He's answering to god, and it's as simple as that," Trey added.
Protest organized refused an interview request.
The pastor will remains in custody ahead of a June 28 court appearance.
This is the second time Stephens has been arrested in less than a month in connection with public health order violations.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.