Canadian pastor arrested again; prosecutor claims Artur Pawlowski influenced truckers to keep protesting after they agreed to stop: 'Overt threat to violence'



Canadian pastor Artur Pawlowski — who's made numerous headlines for nearly a year over his opposition to COVID-19 restrictions — was arrested yet again last week after giving an "impassioned" speech to truckers that a prosecutor said influenced them to continue protesting after they had reached an agreement to stop and also incited violence, CBC News reported.

Image source: Rebel News video screenshot

What are the details?

Protesters on Feb. 3 made a deal to leave the border crossing at Coutts in Alberta and go to Edmonton, the network said.

But that day Pawlowski gave what prosecutor Steven Johnston called an "impassioned" 20-minute speech to protesters, telling them to not give up and that there weren't enough police to deal with them, CBC News added.

"Less than two hours after reaching a deal to end the blockade and take it to Edmonton, truckers changed their minds," Johnston said in his argument that Pawlowski should be denied bail, the network noted.

During his speech inside Smugglers Saloon in Coutts, Pawlowski implored the truckers to stay and "hold the line." And while he did say "if this is our Alamo, then so be it," the pastor more than once said the truckers should protest peacefully and that their sheer numbers and trucks are enough.

"You have the power now," he also said, noting that he and others in the province "just want to be left alone."

“Hold the Line, Stand your Ground!” The speech that Fired up the Truckers by Pastor Artur Pawlowski www.youtube.com

However, Johnston called Pawlowski's words an "overt threat to violence," CBC News said.

Defense lawyer Chad Haggerty said "at no time did [Pawlowski] tell them to block the roads; he told them to remain and protest," the network reported.

What are the charges against the pastor?

Pawlowski was charged with mischief over $5,000 and interrupting the operation of essential infrastructure in a manner that renders it inoperative, CBC News reported, adding that since his Feb. 7 arrest, Pawlowski's supporters have raised $26,000 for his release and legal fees.

His bail decision should be reached this week, the network said, adding that if Pawlowski is convicted, he could face a fine of up to $10,000 plus six months in jail.

'He's never gonna back down'

Pawlowski's lawyer said his client remains in solitary confinement for 23 hours per day at the Calgary Remand Centre, Fox News reported, adding that vigils have been organized at Canadian embassies in the United States to protest the pastor's treatment.

Standing outside the prison, Pawlowski's son Nathanial told Rebel News "he's never gonna back down."

"They might as well lock him up and throw away the keys or put a bullet in him, because he's never gonna back down," he also told the outlet, adding that his father said his cell is "the most disgusting thing he's ever seen; it looks like it hasn't been cleaned in 10 years."

Nathanial Pawlowski also told Rebel News that his father's treatment is "only going to feed the flame and expose what this is really all about" and that "it's about control, it's about bowing to the government, it's about tyranny — it has nothing to do with safety or public health or the law."

Anything else?

Rebel News said Pawlowski has now been arrested five times over his opposition to the COVID-19 restrictions.

He first went viral last spring for kicking "Nazi" police officers out of his church and then after his arrest in May — handcuffed on his knees in the middle of a highway — for holding a service in defiance of COVID-19 mandates:

A heavily-armed SWAT team just took down a Christian pastor heading home from church. Police say he\u2019s charged with \u201cinciting\u201d people to go to church. This is the second pastor jailed this year. We\u2019re crowdfunding his lawyers at http://www.SaveArtur.com\u00a0pic.twitter.com/RZ913cQns3
— Ezra Levant \ud83c\udf41\ud83d\ude9b (@Ezra Levant \ud83c\udf41\ud83d\ude9b) 1620516112

In September he was arrested in headline-grabbing style on a Calgary International Airport tarmac, reportedly for contempt of court. In the wake of that arrest, he warned Americans that if they don't rise up, Soviet-style tyranny is "coming for you."

Last October, a judge ordered that Pawlowski must preach "science" as part of his sermons during probation.

Freedom Convoy: Video shows Ottawa police seize fuel; mayor declares state of emergency and says city is 'losing this battle'



Canadian authorities began cracking down on the Freedom Convoy this weekend. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency on Sunday in an effort to contain truckers who have protested peacefully in Canada's capital.

“Declaring a state of emergency reflects the serious danger and threat to the safety and security of residents posed by the ongoing demonstrations and highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government,” the city said in a statement. “It also provides greater flexibility within the municipal administration to enable the City of Ottawa to manage business continuity for essential services for its residents and enables a more flexible procurement process, which could help purchase equipment required by frontline workers and first responders.”

Watson said that Ottawa was “outnumbered” and “losing the battle” against the truckers' protest.

“The situation at this point is completely out of control, because the individuals with the protest are calling the shots," Watson said on Sunday. "They have far more people than we have police officers, and I’ve indicated to the chief that we have to be much more nimble and proactive when it comes to these activities.”

“It should have ended days ago, there’s no question about that," the mayor continued. "The nerves of the residents, particularly in the downtown core, are frayed beyond belief. They are suffering, and the protesters do not seem to have any understanding of how insensitive they are, blaring horns and sirens and fireworks, and turning it into a party. … Bringing in bouncy castles and saunas and hot tubs is the height of irresponsibility.”

“Clearly, we are outnumbered and we are losing this battle right now,” Watson said. “This has to be reversed; we have to get our city back.”

"The state of emergency gives our staff and our city a few extra tools to speed up things like procurement," he told the CBC News Network on Sunday night.

"We're in the midst of a serious emergency, the most serious emergency our city has ever faced, and we need to cut the red tape to get these supplies available to our police officers and to our public works staff," Watson said.

Watson added that the city had 60 new RCMP officers sworn in on Saturday to help contain the trucker protest.

Around 2 p.m. on Sunday, the Ottawa Police Department declared that anyone providing fuel and materials supporting the truckers can be arrested.

"Anyone attempting to bring material supports (gas, etc.) to the demonstrators could be subject to arrest. Enforcement is underway," the Ottawa Police tweeted.

IMPORTANT: Anyone attempting to bring material supports (gas, etc.) to the demonstrators could be subject to arrest. Enforcement is underway. #ottawa #ottnewspic.twitter.com/tp4e5d2xe1
— Ottawa Police (@Ottawa Police) 1644173572

Ottawa Police dismantled the trucker convoy's logistics camp, and confiscated propane tanks and fuel.

There is a long row of tow trucks at the ready to remove transport trucks \nI see 30 police officers dismantling the logistics camppic.twitter.com/LXWPv7tFcg
— Judy Trinh (@Judy Trinh) 1644194339
Right now police with help of fire dept seem focused on removing the gas and propane tankspic.twitter.com/Sm2I5ZjJsn
— Judy Trinh (@Judy Trinh) 1644195605


Section 8 of the Charter of Rights reads \u201cEveryone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure.\u201d Without a search warrant, this is just theft. Governments are used to violating our privacy now, aren\u2019t they? And the media love it.pic.twitter.com/UOYAK6OoF8
— Ezra Levant \ud83c\udf41 (@Ezra Levant \ud83c\udf41) 1644197218

Shortly after 9 p.m., the Ottawa Police Service announced that it had "made multiple arrests in relation to several enforcement actions" in regards to the trucker protest. The Ottawa Police also said, "Multiple vehicles and fuel have been seized."

"More than 100 Highway Traffic Act and other Provincial Offence Notices were issued including excessive honking, driving the wrong way, defective muffler, no seat belt, alcohol readily available and having the improper class of driving license," the announcement reads. "There are over 60 criminal investigations so far related to the demonstration. They are primarily for mischief, thefts, hate crimes, and property damage."

Video: Massive trucker protest takes over Ottawa. Justin Trudeau reportedly moved to secret location ahead of 'Freedom Convoy' rally.



Truckers and protesters showed up in huge numbers as the Freedom Convoy descended upon Ottawa, Ontario. Despite subzero windchill temperatures on Saturday, Canadians mounted a large protest against vaccine mandates. Massive crowds peacefully protested against government overreach near Parliament Hill.

Truckers were protesting an order that went into effect on Jan. 15, requiring unvaccinated Canadian truckers re-entering the country from the U.S. to get tested for COVID-19 and quarantine themselves. There was reportedly a convoy of up to 50,000 Canadian truck drivers who traveled to Canada's capital to protest the vaccine mandates.

The CBC reported that Trudeau left Rideau Cottage early Saturday for security reasons, and was transported to a secret location with his family.

Trudeau's press secretary Ann-Clara Vaillancourt responded, "The Prime Minister is continuing to isolate in the National Capital Region & work remotely. We’ve consulted Ottawa Public Health on appropriate protocols. As always, we do not comment on security matters."

Last week, Trudeau called the trucker convoy a "small fringe minority of people" who are "holding unacceptable views that they are expressing do not represent the views of Canadians who have been there for each other."

There were thousands of protesters, many waving Canadian flags and some were holding signs expressing contempt toward Trudeau.

Incredible scenes in Ottawa, where tens of thousands have gathered to protest for an end to COVID lies and mandates.pic.twitter.com/ioH2TM5Y4o
— Michael P Senger (@Michael P Senger) 1643487446
Ottawa today\u2026 Wow! pic.twitter.com/kyomLmCw66
— Aaron Ginn (@Aaron Ginn) 1643493575
This is the scene in Ottawa as the Trucker Freedom Convoy makes their arrival.\n\nJustin Trudeau has left Canada\u2019s capital city.\n\nSo much for \u201csmall fringe minority\u201d.pic.twitter.com/uHe5KRBEaX
— Benny (@Benny) 1643487569
Canada isn\u2019t going to take more lockdowns and COVID restrictions.\n\nOttawa todaypic.twitter.com/48V0ib862O
— Aaron Ginn (@Aaron Ginn) 1643528993

Content Warning: Explicit language:

The scene in Ottawa. I get the impression people here don\u2019t like Trudeau. \n\n#freedomconvoy22pic.twitter.com/1Re5RYkMRD
— Beth Baisch \ud83d\udcf8 (@Beth Baisch \ud83d\udcf8) 1643469301

There were reportedly volunteers handing out food and coffee to the protesters as well as people giving truckers gift cards.

A \u201csmall fringe minority\u201d of Canadians with \u201cunacceptable views\u201d in Vankleek Hill, Ont. prepared supplies and food for truckers \u2013 including amenities for dogs who are part of the convoy. #TruckersforFreedom #cdnpolipic.twitter.com/VhvhjbDxgp
— True North (@True North) 1643471970
Coffees, pocket warmers, Tim Hortons gift cards, and homemade goods brought from all across Canada are among the things being disturbed to the truckers.\n\nThe truckers say they are here to stay and not leaving until segregation is abolished. \n\nCheck out http://ConvoyReports.com\u00a0pic.twitter.com/i8P6YtCvmY
— Mocha Bezirgan (@Mocha Bezirgan) 1643489650

Local authorities were forced to ask for backup from nearby communities as the crowds swelling in Ottawa. Gridlock from the rally caused Ottawa's downtown core to come to a complete standstill, and police said there was no more room for vehicles.

It\u2019s like Canada Day in January. Maybe bigger. #TruckersConvoy2022pic.twitter.com/VCWTVJonBP
— Rupa Subramanya (@Rupa Subramanya) 1643478584

One trucker explained that it isn't about the vaccine, it's about "choice," "freedom," and "liberty."

"We are all together. We are all Canadians. We are all truckers," he said.

This man is a trucker and a Canadian #FreedomConvoy2022 #CHOICE #CanadaTruckers #stopvaccinemandatespic.twitter.com/GDB8em2ujs
— \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 Michelle Lindsay (@\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 Michelle Lindsay) 1643494612

Rebel News founder Ezra Levant gave a speech at the Freedom Convoy rally.

I was invited by the truckers to give a short speech. Here\u2019s what I said:pic.twitter.com/ZYclZwDBtH
— Ezra Levant \ud83c\udf41 (@Ezra Levant \ud83c\udf41) 1643491994

The protest continued into the night with fireworks and a party-like atmosphere.

Canadians celebrating the next official holiday on Parliament Hill: Jan 29th, Freedom Day. \n\nLes Canadiens c\u00e9l\u00e8brent la prochaine f\u00eate nationale officielle sur la Colline Parlementaire: le jour de la Libert\u00e9! \n\n@RebelNews_QC\n\n#TruckOffTrudeau\nJust a fringe minority, right?!pic.twitter.com/Xaa8l7LtWc
— Maxim Boivin (@Maxim Boivin) 1643505718
CANADA : les feux d\u2019artifice et les klaxons ont accompagn\u00e9 les manifestants \u00e0 #Ottawa cette nuit. \n\n()@News24Wide\u2069 #CanadaTruckers #TruckersForFreedom2022 #Trudeaupic.twitter.com/qMTdBRVfre
— Actualiste (@Actualiste) 1643539947
Ottawa's protest has turned into a full-on rave out in front of parliament tonight.\n\nI will remind you, it's -20\u00b0C (-4\u00b0F)\n\nAnd in the middle of the night, the party just keeps going \u2014 trucks included.\n\nhttp://ConvoyReports.com\u00a0pic.twitter.com/q6EQfLzwRi
— Dakota Christensen (@Dakota Christensen) 1643518924

Some truckers said they plan on continuing their protest against the vaccine mandates, and will sleep in the cabs of their trucks.

In a letter to the truckers, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe pledged to end proof of vaccination policies in the province.

"My government supports your call to end the cross border ban on unvaccinated truckers," Moe said in the statement released on Saturday. "And it is why, in the not too-distant future, our government will be ending our proof of negative test/proof of vaccination policy in Saskatchewan."

Russell Brand, Don Cherry, Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson, and Elon Musk have voiced their support of the "Freedom Convoy."

During a rally in Texas on Saturday night, former President Donald Trump delivered an endorsement of the Canadian truckers.

"We want those great Canadian truckers to know that we are with them all the way," Trump said. "They are doing more to defend American freedom than our leaders by far."

WATCH: Christians tear down fences around shuttered Canadian church, government sends in 200 riot police



Hundreds of Canadian Christians gathered on Sunday at the GraceLife Church in Edmonton, Alberta. Government officials shut down the church for allegedly violating public COVID-19 health orders. Authorities erected a chain-link fence to prevent the house of worship from reopening last week. On Sunday, worshippers tore down the barricade, but were quickly met by a large contingent of riot police.

Alberta Health Services physically closed the GraceLife Church, preventing access to the building. AHS said the church would remain closed until the GraceLife Church "can demonstrate the ability to comply with Alberta's chief medical officer of health's restrictions." The Royal Canadian Mounted Police even closed off the access roads in front of the church to the public.

Fences went up around GraceLife Church Wednesday morning as AHS physically closed the building west of Edmonton for… https://t.co/N0ZJuxSCeo
— Global Edmonton (@Global Edmonton)1617819406.0


RCMP are controlling traffic at every entrance near GraceLife Church this morning. The north entrance is completely… https://t.co/wqT02v3F6W
— Laura Krause (@Laura Krause)1618154574.0

Approximately 400 people gathered outside the church on Sunday, according to the Edmonton Journal. The Christians were not able to get inside the church, so they sang hymns and listened to Bible readings outside the building.

The crowd at GraceLife Church has nearly doubled in size in less than an hour. A new group walked up with music and… https://t.co/qHvtDwqHvP
— Laura Krause (@Laura Krause)1618157178.0


A convoy of supporters drove from Calgary to Red Deer then onto Spruce Grove, AB this morning showing support for P… https://t.co/pppkrYbizo
— Hal Roberts 🇨🇦 (@Hal Roberts 🇨🇦)1618165577.0


A church in Edmonton, Canada wouldn’t obey politicians and lock its doors. So they jailed the pastor for 35 days. T… https://t.co/W3ADhbV08y
— Ezra Levant 🍁 (@Ezra Levant 🍁)1618167172.0


Farmer for Justice Jim Ness was at the GraceLife protest today. Jim spent time in jail for his act of civil disob… https://t.co/tIs6DmD91j
— Sheila Gunn Reid (@Sheila Gunn Reid)1618176325.0


The crowd began to sing along https://t.co/QIWd6plw7C
— Laura Krause (@Laura Krause)1618156671.0

Some of the people outside of the building began to tear down the fence, despite pleas from the crowd to "leave the fence alone!"

Organizers say people not associated with the peaceful protest are trying to tear down the fences at GraceLife chur… https://t.co/dWssbJ9iby
— Hal Roberts 🇨🇦 (@Hal Roberts 🇨🇦)1618167877.0


The fence is coming down https://t.co/gFCroOuhin
— Laura Krause (@Laura Krause)1618164559.0

There were reports of 200 police officers in riot gear sent to disperse the crowd outside of the GraceLife Church.

Just a regular Sunday at GraceLife Church, as the police head to Sunday Mass today.#gracelifechurch #Communisim https://t.co/em8rEhEs34
— 🍁🇨🇦CanAditude🇨🇦🍁 (@🍁🇨🇦CanAditude🇨🇦🍁)1618169033.0


This isn’t really about Covid, this is really about how the spirit of the age really wants to treat the church. https://t.co/na9xX2FBjB
— Steve Deace (@Steve Deace)1618177659.0

The AHS claimed it had received 105 complaints from the public about the GraceLife Church between July 10 and April 6. The church was shut down in January for breaching public health guidelines that limit worship services to 15% of capacity. The church was also accused of not ensuring that people wore face masks during religious services and for not practicing proper physical distancing.

In February, GraceLife's Pastor James Coates was charged violating COVID-19 public health orders. Coates spent 35 days in custody before pleading guilty to a charge of breaching bail and was fined $1,500. He returned to the pulpit on March 28.

Coates' attorney, John Carpay, said the government's enforcement was excessive.

"I'm very disappointed to see this kind of draconian and aggressive enforcement of health orders when these health orders themselves are being challenged in court," Carpay told CBC News. "It shows a very aggressive government that is not answering questions about its policies, but wants to push its weight around and try and make an example out of GraceLife Church."