Peter LaBarbera reportedly has been arrested in Canada after refusing to leave a university campus. Last week, LaBarbera had been detained and initially barred entry into the country — based on the belief he might violate Canada’s hate speech laws — after officials learned he is the head of a U.S. anti-gay hate group. He was later allowed to enter the country after appealing the ruling of Canadian customs officials.Â
LaBarbera and activist Bill Whatcott had attended a small, local anti-choice conference. The pair, wearing tee shirts that read, “No to hate crimes against Christians who disagree with homosexuality,” were arrested and charged with “mischief” after distributing anti-gay hate propaganda on campus. The CBCÂ reports:
Before their arrival, the university issued a news release saying the pair would be monitored to ensure they did not engage in any activity that would promote hatred.
At one point, with news cameras rolling, an unidentified university official approached Whatcott and LaBarbera and asked them to leave. During that encounter, Whatcott said he had attempted to get permission to set up an information table and, since he was denied, proceeded to set up a table anyway.
“I’m not leaving,” Whatcott told the official, “You guys are intolerant and should be ashamed of yourselves for shutting down our message without even considering it.”
A short while later, several Regina police officers arrived and Whatcott and LaBarbera were handcuffed and taken off campus.
“The idea that you can’t have an open debate on homosexuality on a college campus and some speech code is brought in, to kick people off … seems to me to be pretty undemocratic,” LaBarbera said.
As can be seen in the image (in link) below, LaBarbera was standing with or near demonstrators who had large signs with what appear to be images of aborted fetuses, and one small sign that reads: “sodomy is sin.”
LaBarbera is the head of a small organization which appears on the Southern Poverty Law Center’s list of active anti-gay hate groups.
Canada’s free speech laws are not as generous as the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. LaBarbera will likely return the America a right-wing hero and play the victim card for all it’s worth.
As LaBarbera was handcuffed and taken away by law enforcement, onlookers cheered his arrest.
Watch the video
Hat tip:Â Brian Hoskins