Phot credit: Lethbridge News Now

By The Canadian Press

Court

‘Lit a match’; Prosecutor says pastor’s fiery speech at Coutts blockade was mischief

Feb 3, 2023 | 4:29 PM

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – A Crown prosecutor has told a trial that a Calgary pastor accused of encouraging truckers to keep blocking a Canada-U.S. border crossing a year ago meant to fan the flames with his visit.

Steven Johnston says in his closing arguments that Artur Pawlowski “lit a match” at the protest at Coutts, Alta., then left town.

Protesters blocked the border for nearly three weeks.

Pawlowski has pleaded not guilty to mischief and breaching a release order as well as a charge under the Alberta Critical Infrastructure Defence Act of wilfully damaging or destroying essential infrastructure.

The Crown’s case consists of a 20-minute video of a speech Pawlowski gave to protesters urging them to hold their ground because the world was watching.

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The defence has argued that Pawlowski was expressing his opinion and didn’t incite the crowd to do anything.

(The Canadian Press)