A supporter stands outside court in Edmonton on Thursday, March 4, 2021, as Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church appears in court to appeal bail conditions. He was arrested for allegedly holding Sunday services in violation of COVID-19 rules. A trial is to begin Monday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
EDMONTON – An Alberta pastor accused of leading church services in violation of public-health orders says the COVID-19 pandemic has been blown out of proportion by the government and the media.
Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church testified on the first day of his trial Monday and complained multiple times about how difficult it was to speak with a mask on.
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EDMONTON - An Alberta pastor accused of leading church services in violation of public-health orders says the COVID-19 pandemic has been blown out of proportion by the government and the media.
A supporter stands outside court in Edmonton on Thursday, March 4, 2021, as Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church appears in court to appeal bail conditions. He was arrested for allegedly holding Sunday services in violation of COVID-19 rules. A trial is to begin Monday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
EDMONTON - An Alberta pastor accused of leading church services in violation of public-health orders says the COVID-19 pandemic has been blown out of proportion by the government and the media.
EDMONTON An Alberta pastor accused of repeatedly flouting Alberta s COVID-19 public health restrictions was defiant on the first day of his trial on Monday, claiming both the health risk of COVID-19 and the government response to the pandemic were exaggerated. James Coates appeared in Edmonton provincial court charged with one count of violating the Public Health Act while leading services at GraceLife church in Parkland County. Coates told the court that he initially followed public health restrictions but became convinced that COVID-19 was overblown and that public health measures went too far after researching what he termed, real facts.
By Fakiha Baig, The Canadian Press on May 3, 2021.
A supporter stands outside court in Edmonton on Thursday, March 4, 2021, as Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church appears in court to appeal bail conditions. He was arrested for allegedly holding Sunday services in violation of COVID-19 rules. A trial is to begin Monday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
EDMONTON – An Alberta pastor accused of leading church services in violation of public-health orders says the COVID-19 pandemic has been blown out of proportion by the government and the media.
Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church testified on the first day of his trial Monday and complained multiple times about how difficult it was to speak with a mask on.
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