The City of Abbotsford has received a permit application for an event that would feature controversial U.S. Christian singer and MAGA supporter Sean Feucht, whose appearances have been cancelled in several other Canadian cities.
City spokesperson Aletta Vanderheyden confirmed Wednesday (July 23) that an application for a special-events permit has been received from Burn 24-7 Canada Worship Ministries Society to host the performance Aug. 24 at Mill Lake Park.
The Burn Canada website calls the event 乌鸦传媒淟et Us Worship乌鸦传媒� and states that Feucht will be on hand.
乌鸦传媒淟et Us Worship is coming to Mill Lake Park and we believe God wants to release revival in the Fraser Valley,乌鸦传媒� the post states.
乌鸦传媒淪ean Feucht and the team are closing out the western leg of the Revive in 乌鸦传媒�25 Canadian Tour right here in Abbotsford, and we乌鸦传媒檙e coming with an expectation for miracles, salvation and healing.乌鸦传媒�
On his website, Feucht is described as a 乌鸦传媒渟peaker, author, missionary, artist, activist and the founder of multiple global movements including Burn 24-7, a worship and prayer movement now spanning six continents and more than 250 cities.乌鸦传媒�
Feucht publicly opposed COVID-19 restrictions; led a protest against The Walt Disney Company in 2022 over the company乌鸦传媒檚 opposition to anti-LGBTQ+ legislation; and has been dubbed a 乌鸦传媒淢AGA superstar乌鸦传媒� by U.S. media for his support of Donald Trump.
Feucht ran as a Republican for California乌鸦传媒檚 third congressional district in the 2020 election, placing third.
Permits for his tour have been revoked or rejected in several eastern Canadian cities 乌鸦传媒� including Halifax, Charlottetown, Moncton, Quebec City, Gatineau and Vaughan 乌鸦传媒� with authorities citing public safety and security concerns.
Vanderheyden said the City of Abbotsford is reviewing the permit application, and it could take 乌鸦传媒渁 few weeks乌鸦传媒� to make a decision. She said the city乌鸦传媒檚 role is 乌鸦传媒渢o ensure public safety and bylaw compliance.乌鸦传媒�
乌鸦传媒淭he city remains neutral and does not endorse any specific viewpoints or messages conveyed during these events,乌鸦传媒� she said.
乌鸦传媒淭here are many events hosted throughout the community representing a wide range of views and perspectives. These events are organized by independent groups and individuals. The content or messages presented at these events do not necessarily represent or reflect the official position or views of the City of Abbotsford.乌鸦传媒�
Abbotsford is one of only two B.C. stops scheduled as part of the 11-city cross-Canada tour. The other is West Kelowna, which is reviewing safety considerations for the event there, scheduled for Aug. 23.
Feucht has been posting on social media in response to the cancellations.
乌鸦传媒淗ere乌鸦传媒檚 the hard truth: If I had shown up with purple hair and a dress, claiming to be a woman, the government wouldn乌鸦传媒檛 have said a word,乌鸦传媒� he wrote in one post.
乌鸦传媒淏ut to publicly profess deeply held Christian beliefs is to be labeled an extremist 乌鸦传媒� and to have a free worship event classified as a public safety risk.乌鸦传媒�
Feucht乌鸦传媒檚 potential appearance in Abbotsford has sparked much discussion online, with many condemning his views and urging the city to reject the event permit.
乌鸦传媒淪preading hate like this American does is not acceptable and has no place in a city playground,乌鸦传媒� one post stated.
乌鸦传媒淪ome perspectives shouldn乌鸦传媒檛 be platformed. A MAGA cultist, when (their) leader is repeatedly espousing the idea of taking over Canada, would be one of those perspectives,乌鸦传媒� stated another.
Others are defending what they say is the right to free speech, with one post stating, 乌鸦传媒淚f it bothers you, don乌鸦传媒檛 go close to there. People can do whatever they want in public places."
