West End dance party disrupts visit from anti-gay preacher

Protesters held a beach dance party in Vancouver's West End on Monday nightin a bid to disrupt an event by aToronto preacher who has been accused of anti-gay hate speech.

David Lynn, founder of Christ'sForgiveness Ministries, had launched a cross-Canada speaking tour on the weekend in Victoria, where he was greeted by a large crowd of protesters.

On Monday, Lynnmet with similar sentiments when the group Alternative Pride hosted a "Dance Against Hate" at Sunset Beach Park, where hewas to perform baptisms.

Members and supporters of the LGBTQ community, which is largely focused in the West End, draped themselves in rainbow flags and danced as they waited for Lynn, who had been deliveringspeeches near the Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain station and in Gastown earlier in the day.

There was criticism of the police presence at the protest, with LGBTQ advocates saying officers were protecting Lynn but had failed to protect people in their community.

PFLAGVancouver presidentColin McKenna said for months the West End community has been dealing with hate directed toward the LGBTQ community by preacherswho, he says, have "set up shop" atDavie and Thurlowstreets.

Tensions came to a head on Aug. 22, when a local resident confronted two of the preachers and ended up with a broken leg.

"The police have done very little, if anything, about it, which includes enforcing noise bylaws," said McKenna.

He said members of the neighbourhood decided to hold a dance party to show what peace and love look like, while also sending a message to the Vancouver Police Department.

"They've they've left us unsafe for months and unfortunately, at this point, we've had to take it into our own hands. We have to make a statement and make sure the city knows that the police know we're not putting up with it anymore," said McKenna.

'The police is actually protecting him'

Lynn arrived later than expected and was flanked by a group of police officers who surrounded him as he spoke through a microphone to the crowd, which tried to drown his voice out by playing music and chanting "go home".

Imitiaz Popatwith the CoalitionAgainst Bigotry Pacific asked why police did not arrestLynn.The preacher had been arrested last year and accused of spreading anti-gay rhetoric in Toronto's Church-Wellesley Village.

"So he's promoting hate and the police is actually protecting him. We wanted to block him from coming here but the police protected him and allowed him to come and do this baptism," said Popiat.

"Where is the law? We're not protected."

Vancouver police said they surrounded Lynn in order to keep the peace and protect participants of the protest.

"The VPD monitors many demonstrations to prevent criminal acts from taking place while ensuring the safety of the protesters, the public, and the police," VPD Const. Tania Visitin said in an emailed statement Tuesday morning.

Police said they made one arrest at the protest. Charges of assault have been recommended against a man who allegedly spit on another.