Pastor Derek Reimer was arrested on Wednesday afternoon while protesting drag queen events in Calgary.
Reimer was protesting the “Safe and Inclusive Access Bylaw” bylaw that passed on Tuesday night by Calgary city council. The bylaw became effective immediately, which makes protesting drag queen story hour events illegal when inside 100 meters of the public facility hosting the event.
Drag queen story hour is an event where men in lingerie or sexually provocative clothing (drag queens) read books to minors.
Calgary’s Mayor Gondek had promised to do something about what she called were “hateful” protesters.
The bylaw called to fine “specified” protesters who “intimidate,” which was a reference to drag-queen story hour protesters, or, more generally, those who believe “trans-rights” have usurped women’s rights and children’s rights.
Protesters in violation of this bylaw are now liable to pay a $10,000 fine and can be sentenced to prison for one year.
This story is breaking and will be updated.