The Canadian Message Street Preachers
Two message street preachers in Canada - Steven Ravbar and Matthew Carapella - have been in the news off and on since 2015, when Matthew Carapella was influenced to follow the message by Steve Ravbar, a former elementary school teacher. Ravbar was formerly the principal at the private school run by Cloverdale Bibleway in Surrey, BC, Canada.
Charged with hate crimes in British Columbia
Problems in London, Ontario
On January 24, 2020,the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported on an incident involving the two street preachers, Matthew Carapella and David Ravbar, who were arrested near Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. The preachers, known for their controversial and confrontational style of evangelism, were reportedly causing a disturbance by making inflammatory remarks, particularly targeting women.
The situation escalated when campus security received multiple complaints about their behavior, which included insults directed at female students. Although the preachers were not on university property, security personnel contacted the Kingston Police to address the situation. The police intervened, leading to the arrest of both individuals for causing a public disturbance.
This incident was part of a broader pattern of confrontations involving the street preachers, who have faced numerous complaints in various locations, including London, Ontario. Their aggressive approach to preaching has drawn criticism from community members and local authorities alike.
Read the article here
Watch the video here
In April 2019, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported on the pair, who were known for their aggressive evangelism, often targeting passersby with confrontational messages, particularly aimed at women. Their presence has sparked significant backlash from the community.
In reaction to the pairs actions, the City of London introduced a new bylaw intended to regulate the actions of any "street preachers"' in an attempt to balance free speech with public safety concerns. Local residents have expressed frustration over the preachers' tactics, which many find disturbing and intrusive. The pair have engaged in physical confrontations resulting in numerous complaints being lodged by citizens.
Read the article here
Footnotes