GraceLife Church has filed with the court asking to immediately return to their building. This comes just days after the Provincial Court of Alberta ruled that GraceLife Church’s pastor James Coates’ rights were not violated when he was ticketed for disregarding the Public Health Act when he held worship services in December of last year.
GraceLife Church’s property and building were seized by police on April 7, 2021, and barricaded by temporary fences after worshipers repeatedly broke Alberta’s COVID-19 restrictions. Police monitored the property and even got into scuffles when protestors, who were not GraceLife Church members, showed their disapproval for the restriction enforcement.
The church has continued to meet in secret locations to avoid law enforcement closures and fines. It is reported that three GraceLife Church congregants and pastor James Coates are the filers, asking the court “to strike down the public health restrictions.” The court filing additionally requests immediate return to the building and disallowing police to interfere with worship services.