Man whose confrontation with anti-gay street preachers ended in broken bones says he'd do it again

Justin Morissettewas getting ready for adate a barbecue on his fourth-floor apartment deck when he became annoyed by a loud sidewalk demonstration. Two preachers were blasting anti-gay rhetoric in the rainbow-festooned Davie Street village, the historical enclave of Vancouver's gay community.

The 33-year-old broadcaster, withlocal radio stationSportsnet 650, confronted the preachers and endedup with a broken leg.

Despite the pain, MorissettetoldCBC News from his hospital bed,he'd do it again.

As previously reported, police were called to the areanear Davie and Thurlow streets in Vancouver's West End about8 p.m. PT on Saturday. Police and witnesses confirmed the details of the confrontation.

Witnesses saythe preachers had become a common fixture off and on for weeks, and that the city and police have done little. As Morissetteapproached, he says he could see the faces of hisneighbours and the effect the anti-gay chants werehaving, especially on older membersof the community.

"Likehellif I'm going tolet these hate-mongers come in and make my neighbours feel threatened and unsafe," he said.

Morissette said he initially yelled that he does not pay$1,400-per-month to listen to this "garbage."

"I did not want this hate speech to be the soundtrack to our evening," he said.

First Morissettesays he yelled and swore. Then, he says, he tried to turn down the sound systemand snatched away their microphone.

"It was really easy to take because I'm bigger and stronger than them," he said.

That's when, he says, one man jumped on his back and another put him in a wrestling lock from behind. Then, Morissette said, the second man put a leg behind his and wrenched his body until the bones in his left leg "snapped."

"He resorted to the dirtiest tactics imaginable," said Morissette.

Morissette has two broken leg bones and a dislocated knee.A series of pins were inserted to stabilizehis leg with an external metal rod. He will need surgery in about a week,after the swelling goes down. He says he expects to be in hospital for a few weeksat the least. Full recovery could take years and he says he may need a metal plate in his leg.

The two other men were arrested at the scene. One of them has accused Morissette of attacking themand described their actions as defensive.

Dorre Love,in a YouTube video, says he was one of the preachers.The identity of the other man has not been made public.

"I was assaulted," Love says in the video."A gentleman took my mic out of my hands and tried to get away with it."

Morissette admits taking the microphone but adds: "I did not attack anyone."

Outpouring of support

Morissette said thathe felt compelled to act, out of the warmth he's felt from his communityand his concerns about theuptick in hate crimes he's seen during the pandemic.

He admits, during moments of intense pain, he's had moments of regret. But the outpouring of public support including a GoFundMe campaign has helped erasesome of the self doubt, he says.

At one point during his treatment, he said, thenurse helping with treatment"put his hand on my arm and said 'Thank you for sticking up for us.'"

"At a moment when I was in intense pain, to hear something likethat, moved me to tears," said Morissette.

"A stranger on Twitter reaching out to my DMs[direct messages] to tell me that they have a gay or trans or closeted son or daughter and that what I did means the world to them. That always reaffirms to me that I did the right thing," he said.

As for the date, he's hoping the woman gives himanother shot, after the initial night went so sideways.

Vancouver Police Sgt. Aaron Roed said police have forwarded a charge package to Crown for approval.

If approved, the two men will face charges of aggravated assault and mischief.

The pair have beenreleased on the condition they not contact each other or Morissetteand stay out of an area of the West End between ComoxStreet to the north, BurrardStreet to the east,DenmanStreetto the west and Beach Avenueto the south, including English Bay and Sunset beaches.

Police says hate crime investigators will also be looking into the incident.