The City of Montreal said it will issue a fine to a downtown church after it held a concert by a U.S.-based Christian musician who has been described as a “MAGA superstar,” without proper permits. Sean Feucht’s show at the Ministerios Restauración Church in the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough went ahead Friday evening despite the city initially saying it would be cancelled. Earlier Friday afternoon, the city told CTV News that the church “does not have a permit to organize a concert, and district inspectors have notified the owners that the event cannot take place.” The city said police had been mobilized to enforce regulations and “violation notices will be issued if the concert goes ahead.” But Feucht posted on social media that “The church IS NOT BACKING DOWN!!!” and it’s “time to take a stand for the gospel in Canada!” Feucht spent two hours singing and preaching in the church. After the event, the city said it would issue a statement of offence and hand out a fine “since the organization violated the regulations by going ahead with the show.” Six dates of Feucht’s Canadian tour have been cancelled so far. His concerts in Quebec City, Gatineau, Charlottetown, and Halifax were all cancelled earlier in the week. Event organizers said the events were called off after complaints and reports of planned protests. Show goes against Montreal`s values of ‘inclusion, solidarity and respect,’ city says A group of protesters waving Palestinian and Pride flags gathered in front of the church, booing those going in and chanting “fascists go home.” A red smoke bomb was thrown into the room during Feucht’s show, though it is unclear who set it off. There was a heavy police presence and at least one protester was seen carried off in handcuffs. Feucht’s has been outspoken against “gender ideology,” abortion and the LGBTQ+ community and met with American President Donald Trump during his first term. His social media shows him posing with members of Trump’s administration and he has been described as a Christian nationalist. He also protested government restrictions during the pandemic and is known to go on political and religious rants during his concerts. During his set in Montreal, Feucht spoke of how “the kingdom of God doesn’t go on lockdown,” and his “home country turned into a war zone in 2020.” Montreal said the show goes against the city’s “values of inclusion, solidarity and respect.” Over the last few days, he has been taking to social media to call out what he says is “the outright persecution and censorship of a Christians in Canada.” Rebel News launched an online petition to “protect the right for Christians to worship in Canada” after his shows were cancelled. “Freedom of expression is one of our fundamental values, but hateful and discriminatory speech is not accepted in Montreal. As in other Canadian cities, this show will not be tolerated,” said a spokesperson for Montreal in a text message. With files from CTV News Montreal’s Max Harrold
