Street preacher rallies supporters

CREDIT: Ted Jacob, Calgary Herald Street preacher Art Pawlowski chats with reporters during his group’s protest at City Hall on Wednesday. The church handed out hundreds of hotdogs to passersby during the lunch hour.

Bylaws – A controversial street preacher is promising to stage rallies in front of City Hall every day for the next month while he and the city try to find a mutually agreeable site for his public sermons.

"We’ll go day by day," he said Wednesday, as dozens of homeless people lined up for a free hotdog.

Art Pawlowski, who already preaches and feeds the homeless in front of Old City Hall once a week, has been battling the city over the use of loudspeakers.

He has been preaching in a city park near the Drop-In Centre, but the amplified sound drew complaints from residents as far away as across the river.

He wouldn’t comply with bylaw requests to turn it down.

Last week, a judge ordered an injunction against Pawlowski that bans him from using loudspeakers anywhere within city limits.

Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Bonnie Rawlins said that while Pawlowski’s outreach to the homeless was commendable, his "obstinate persistence" in fighting the city detracted from it.

Bill Bruce, the city’s director of bylaw services, said the city is willing to meet with Pawlowski to discuss potential sites.