FACTS
A Canadian pastor by the name of Artur Pawlowski was arrested in Alberta last weekend for failure to adhere to a new Covid order which requires “facial masks, social distancing, and participation limits” at meetings. His violation was holding an “illegal” church service. The interaction marks Pawlowski’s second recent run-in with the police, after officials arrived at his church during an Easter Sunday service last month. In a video which went viral, he is heard calling the officials “gestapo” and “Nazis” and demands that they leave his church unless they can provide a warrant. According to Canadian reporter Adam Soos, who was able to interview the pastor via phone call while he was being detained, Pawlowski was unaware of the fact that a legal team was attempting to help him but was being denied contact with him by the police. His arrest last Saturday “involved six police cars” and was conducted in the middle of a busy highway, just an hour after his church service was held. He has since been released.
RIGHT
The Right is outraged and warns of the precedent being set. “It was clear from the moment of his arrest that this had nothing to do with a virus, and everything to do with political control,” wrote conservative Canadian news site Rebel News. Former co-host of the 700 Club Canada, Laura-Lynn Tyler Thomas, tweeted, “These are unprecedented times that will show the true character and heart of Canada.” Author and columnist Lloyd Billingsley argued that Canadian police have been “negligent” and “careless” in other situations in which actual danger is presented, but noted that Pawlowski, who “committed no violent crime,” was treated like a “violent criminal.”
“Artur grew up in Poland behind the Iron Curtain. He warned me and my audience that all the horrible Communist things he saw was coming to the West and coming fast. He was right. Listen to the people who’ve survived Communism. They’re all warning you, and you’re not listening.”
Jesse Kelly, Political Commentator
Kelly added, “An inch away. You’re an inch away from this coming to America. Plan accordingly.”
Canada has declared war on Christianity.
— Traditional Canadian Girl 🇨🇦 (@canadiangirls99) May 9, 2021
I have never even seen a violent criminal taken down in the street this way in my country.
Please pray for Pastor Arthur and our nation 🇨🇦
pic.twitter.com/VXD5m2na9C
LEFT
The Left has been mostly silent but largely believes that the steps taken were necessary given the circumstances. Canadian politician Janis Irwin tweeted, “Notoriously homophobic, hateful, anti-masker, COVID-denying street preacher arrested? It’s a good day.”
“It is important to understand that law enforcement recognizes people’s desire to participate in faith-based gatherings as well as the right to protest. However, as we find ourselves in the midst of a global pandemic, we all must comply with public health orders in order to ensure everyone’s safety and wellbeing.”
Calgary Police Statement
One Twitter user noted, “So many are dying thanks to un-educated killers like Artur Pawlowski. His actions are illegal. He whines about getting arrested, but does nothing when people he makes sick are hospitalized or die. Good call arresting this SOB.”
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