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
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Every good wedding has to have one teensy, tiny crisis.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.