Christian pastor Derek Reimer has been arrested again, this time for refusing to comply with a court order to apologize to a public librarian he confronted during a 2023 drag queen story hour event for children.
Calgary police took Reimer, 35, into custody after he missed a deadline to submit the required letter to the manager of the Saddletowne Library branch.
The order stemmed from his conviction for criminal harassment following a protest at the library's "Reading with Royalty" program, where drag performers read to young attendees.
Reimer, founder of Mission 7 Ministries, is serving a one-year conditional sentence, house arrest ending next month, plus two years' probation for the incident.
He told Rebel News the apology would force him to admit fault for "a fabricated narrative" of intimidating the librarian, violating his religious beliefs and Charter rights.
"I will not apologize based on the judge's discretion," Reimer said. He faces up to two years in prison if his sentence is revoked. Supporters decried the ruling as compelled speech.
Reimer's story spread across Canada and around the world as of Friday evening.