In Calgary, Alberta, Canada, a teenager distributing Bibles was apprehended by law enforcement officers following a heated confrontation involving him, his supporters, and a group of counter-protesters. This incident has ignited a discussion surrounding the topics of freedom of expression and religious rights.
The teenager, identified as Josh Alexander, took to Twitter on Wednesday to share his experience, stating that he was handcuffed and placed in a police vehicle for offering Bibles to students on a public sidewalk. Alexander also posted a video of the altercation, shedding light on the sequence of events. Although he was eventually released, the authorities warned him that he would be arrested and charged if he returned to the area. On social media, his post about the arrest gathered comments of others who see the same light as Josh.
Today I was handcuffed and put in a paddy wagon for offering students bibles on a public sidewalk in Calgary.
I was released and told if I returned I would be arrested and charged.
I continued handing out bibles.
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. pic.twitter.com/5y7US5DV6m— Josh Alexander (@officialJosh_A) May 17, 2023
One day there will accountability for police and other public officials who have trampled on our Rights and helped to drive Canada towards tyranny. And that day is coming soon. Proud to call @officialJosh_A a friend. https://t.co/KFHokLLEqR
— Derek Sloan (@TrueDerekSloan) May 18, 2023
Despite the ordeal and the clash with pro-transgender hecklers, Alexander remained undeterred in his mission to share Scripture with those around him. He expressed his commitment to his beliefs in a tweet, declaring, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.” Moreover, he vowed not to succumb to the pressure of what he referred to as the “woke mob” or a corrupt state. Alexander affirmed that he and his supporters would persist in spreading their message of truth and love.
The incident has ignited a discussion about the balance between freedom of expression, religious rights, and public order. While the teenager claims he was exercising his right to share his faith openly, the confrontation and subsequent arrest have raised questions about the appropriate limits and regulations surrounding such activities.
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Maxime Bernier, leader of the People’s Party of Canada, voiced his concern over what he perceived as a discrepancy in the application of justice by law enforcement officers. In his Twitter post, he said: “If you burn a church in this country, the police won’t devote any resources to catching you,” he wrote. “If you hand out Bibles on the sidewalk, however — or hold a rally to defend fundamental rights in a time of hysteria — you will be arrested and fined immediately. We’re a sick society.”
If you burn a church in this country, the police won’t devote any resources to catching you.
If you hand out bibles on the sidewalk however — or hold a rally to defend fundamental rights in a time of hysteria — you will be arrested and fined immediately. We’re a sick society. https://t.co/Z0MbLomXkN
— Maxime Bernier (@MaximeBernier) May 17, 2023
According to a report by CBN News, Alexander’s encounter with the police regarding his beliefs is not an isolated incident. Previously, Alexander faced legal issues due to his opposition to his school’s transgender bathroom policy. In early March, he was arrested for expressing his concerns about the impact of the policy on his female peers at St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in Renfrew, Ontario.
Despite the controversy surrounding his views, Alexander stood firm in his belief and spoke out against what he perceived as a gender dysphoria crisis being promoted in educational institutions. Unfortunately, his stance was met with disapproval from the school administrators. This recent incident adds to Alexander’s history of confrontations with law enforcement over his outspoken viewpoints.