Calgary Police Arrest Pastor, invoking Covid while crime spikes
A Canadian pastor who gained a degree of notoriety after being arrested during Easter weekend in April for allegedly violating COVID-19 limitations on gatherings was arrested once again under similar charges, along with his brother, on May 8th by Calgary Police.
Calgary’s Street Church’s Pastor Artur Pawlowski and his brother Dawid Pawlowski were arrested and charged with “organizing an illegal in-person gathering,” according to the Calgary Police Service.
Video that captured the arrest of the two individuals showcased numerous police vehicles lined up on the side of the road as officers were handcuffing the two brothers.
During the video, one onlooker can be heard telling officers enacting the arrests:
“Shame on you guys, this is not Communist China. Don’t you have family and kids? Whatever happened to ‘Canada, God keep our land glorious and free?’”
The arrest of these two brothers came after a May 6th court order obtained by Alberta Health Services that imposed new restrictions pertaining to the likes of general gatherings, which includes even protests and rallies, requiring the of using face coverings, employing physical distancing and attendance limits. Law Enforcement Today made the following report, referring to this video:
Calgary police make arrest in relation to AHS injunction Calgary Police
“Earlier today, police arrested an organizer of a church service who was in violation of a new court order obtained by Alberta Health Services (AHS) in relation to mandatory compliance of public health orders for gatherings.
On Thursday, May 6, 2021, AHS obtained a Court of Queen’s Bench Order that applies to gatherings including protests, demonstrations and rallies. This order imposes new restrictions on organizers of protests and demonstrations requiring compliance with public health orders including masking, physical distancing and attendance limits.
Earlier this morning, CPS lawfully enforced this order by proactively serving an organizer of a church service with the court order in an effort to ensure that citizens attending the Saturday service were abiding by the current COVID-19 public health orders. The order was served prior to the church service, and CPS did not enter the church during the service.
The service organizer acknowledged the injunction, but chose to ignore requirements for social distancing, mask wearing and reduced capacity limits for attendees, and continued with the event.
As a result, Artur Pawlowski and Dawid Pawlowski have both been arrested and charged with organizing an illegal in-person gathering, including requesting, inciting or inviting others to attend an illegal public gathering, promoting and attending an illegal public gathering.
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.
We continue to ask those who may be considering organizing or participating in any outdoor events to ensure they are familiar with public health order requirements and to do their part to prevent further spread of the virus.”
Meanwhile, Crime is out of control since the lockdowns. Officials elected and otherwise are incapable of linking the draconian lockdowns to lawlessness. But it gives them a reason to order the public around even more, controlling the time of their movements:
“CPS re-launches 9 p.m. Routine in response to seasonal crime trends With more than 24,000 car prowlings and break and enters combined in Calgary in a one-year period, we are asking citizens to remember the 9 p.m. Routine to help secure their property and belongings every night before going to bed.Between March 2020 and March 2021, there have been 19,684 car prowlings and 4,396 break and enters reported to Calgary police.”
Gun laws are tight in Canada, complicating the right for self defense.
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