Calgary street preacher ‘hijacked’ parade: judge
CALGARY — Controversial street preacher Artur Pawlowski and three other parishioners have been convicted of breaching a city bylaw by illegally joining in and interfering with the Calgary Stampede’s Centennial Parade two years ago — what the judge called an act of hijacking.
In his written decision released on Friday, provincial court Judge Mark Tyndale not only upheld the Calgary Municipal Traffic Bylaw, but found that even though Pawlowski’s rights to freedom of expression may have been infringed to an extent, Pawlowski also contravened the same rights of both the Stampede and those who were spectators at the downtown parade to kick off the Stampede on July 6, 2012.
“No right enjoyed by Canadians, including a fundamental right such as freedom of expression, is limitless,” said Tyndale, who also convicted Jacek Mrozek, Marzena Podpryga and David Pawlowski of the same infraction.
“I have found that the Crown proved the actions of Mr. Pawlowski contravened the bylaw.
“I have found the impugned section of the bylaw does contravene the right to freedom of expression as about 40 of his parishioners dressed in medieval outfits including suits of armour, swords, bows, arrows and flags congregated on the north side of the parade route, a block or so from the start. Five of the members carried shields four feet high, each with a letter spelling out ‘JESUS.’”
Police were called in as the Street Church members were blocking the view of the spectators, including children.
In order to avoid disruption that Pawlowski’s protestations may cause, the Stampede offered them the opportunity to join at the back of the parade.
“Pawlowski’s only response was that he would not be treated like a dog,” Tyndale said.
“As soon as the parade began and the pace car passed their location, Mr. Pawlowski and Street Church left the side of the road, entered the parade route, and began to walk behind the pace car as though they were leading the parade … the Calgary Stampede felt that Mr. Pawlowski and his group had ‘hijacked’ the Centenary Calgary Stampede Parade.”
Pawlowski and Street Church proceeded to march in front of the parade for most of the parade route, exiting a block or two from the end of the route.