Calgary pastor who harassed librarian at drag storytime should get 1-year prison sentence: Crown

A Calgary pastor who used “hateful words” at children’s library events should receive a one-year prison sentence for harassing a librarian, prosecutors argued Thursday.

In August, Derek Reimer was found guilty of criminal harassment and four breaches of bail conditions stemming from his protests at library drag story events, which he called “perverted grooming sessions”.

Prosecutor Matt Dalidowicz recommended a prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release, while defense attorney Andrew Mackenzie asked Judge Karen Molle to consider a prison sentence of approximately six to eight weeks.

Molle will make his decision next month.

At Thursday’s sentencing hearing, Dalidowicz argued that not only did Reimer show no remorse or insight into his crimes, but he continued to commit crimes by posting on his public Facebook account, including a post in which both he and his attorney urged people to watch the video created. basis for harassment conviction.

Mackenzie portrayed his client as a man who was “born again” and devoted to public service after living a life of crime and violence more than a decade ago.

“The right to protest LGBT and drag events is unquestionable,” Mackenzie said. “The question is how he does it.”

‘Gay agenda’

In 2023, Reimer was arrested three times in five weeks for attending various Reading with Royalty events held at the Calgary Public Library across the city.

He was released from custody with conditions including that he stay away from LGBTQ events.

Story times feature drag queens and kings reading to children who are invited to don capes and crowns.

Reimer repeatedly described the events as “wrong”, “bad” and part of what he called a “homosexual agenda”.

On March 27, 2023, Reimer went to the Saddletowne library and asked to speak to the director. He continued to record their conversations, during which he again made derogatory comments about drag queens.

‘Your name will appear’

Later the same day, he posted the video on Facebook, encouraging his followers to express their “disgust” by contacting the manager.

He told her that she was “corrupting children” and that she would return if her library continued to host the planned event.

“We will make this public and your name will be there,” he told the woman.

“We’ll be back… and I don’t think you want this much attention.”

Reimer later posted the video, encouraging her followers to “take action.”

He added the library’s phone number, the manager’s name, and the date, time, and location of the next drag event.

Reimer ‘doubled up’

Dalidowicz called it a “personal attack” and said the victim “felt accused of something very despicable.”

To make matters worse, Dalidowicz argued that “the attack continues.”

Not only is the post still on his social media page, but Reimer has “doubled down” on it, Dalidowicz said.

“Before the ink was even dry on the court’s decision,” Reimer released another public video in which both he and his attorney criticized the judge’s conviction and encouraged the public to watch the original video, Dalidowicz told Molle.

Dalidowicz, who later showed the video to the court, said, “He continues to cause serious harm to the victim.”

“There were a lot of leaps and bounds in this decision that I found concerning,” Mackenzie said. “I don’t think Derek should be found guilty of criminal harassment.”

‘You can be a judge’

Mackenzie explained that criminal harassment is “an area of ​​high standards.”

“If you are criminally harassed, that means you have to be tortured, you have to suffer, you have to be constantly or chronically anxious, you have to be disturbed, you have to be upset,” Mackenzie said.

“Do you know what the librarian said in his statement? The prosecutor asked him, ‘How did Derek’s behavior make you feel?’ he asked. He said it made him feel ‘upset’.”

“If upsetting someone is criminal harassment, we are all guilty.”

He later said in the video that he felt the convictions “stretched the evidence to its limits.”

“You can watch the video of the interaction and be the judge,” Mackenzie encouraged viewers.

“I think the decision is ripe for appeal and I think the case should be filed. Help Derek.”

Reimer received ‘very threatening messages’

The Crown argued that the sentence should send a message to the public that they “should not follow in Derek Reimer’s footsteps.”

In his presentations, Mackenzie pointed out that cases requiring imprisonment generally involve more frequent and long-term harassment, and that “hundreds of communications” are involved in one case.

In that case, Mackenzie said the victim closed his LinkedIn account, tightened his Facebook privacy settings and was “looking over his shoulder.”

“That’s the extent of the damage in this case,” he said.

Mackenzie said his client had received “very threatening messages” from people, including some who wanted to see Reimer dead.

Reimer leaves ‘traditional criminality’ behind

The defense attorney acknowledged his client’s criminal history and record of violent crimes, including aggravated assault and animal abuse, but explained that he was no longer the same person.

Growing up in Manitoba, Reimer was involved in “traditional criminality” but experienced a “religious awakening” in the last decade.

Mackenzie, who estimates Reimer reaches about 100 people a week in Calgary, said the pastor has “pretty much completely abandoned” his previous lifestyle in favor of street ministry.

Mackenzie argued his client should be given credit for the time he spent behind bars after being arrested for other crimes and before committing the crimes for which he is now convicted.

Reimer acquitted of mischief and disorderly conduct charges It is linked to an incident that occurred at the Seton library in February 2023. Found guilty of violation charges He was fined $500 last month.

Reimer spoke to the court

The defense also argued that Reimer was injured (his hand was broken) at the detention center, which would have led to increased credit.

But Dalidowicz strongly disagreed and stated that, according to detention center staff, Reimer punched his sleeping cellmate in the face, breaking his hand.

When given the chance to speak in court, Reimer said he had been misunderstood.

“I am not the person the court and the media portray me as,” Reimer said.

He said he simply wanted to “protect children from the sexual ideology that corrupts them.”

“I thought I had the freedom to do that in this country.”