Justice Served

Homophobic preacher at the center of Vancouver brawl slapped with assault charges

Justin Morrisette. Via Gofundme

Dorre Love, a street preacher known for his sermonizing in Vancouver’s West End, now faces assault charges in connection with a fight that broke out during one of his sermons last August.

This summer we reported the story of Justin Morissette, a straight Canadian broadcaster who interrupted Love’s bile-spewing sermon by grabbing his microphone. Several of Love’s followers present during the message then attacked Morissette, wrestling him to the ground and breaking his leg in the process. Morissette required surgery and an extensive hospital stay following the incident.

Related: WATCH: Homophobic street preacher has sermon interrupted by big gay dance party

Now police have charged Love, 42, with aggravated assault related to the encounter.

“The VPD thoroughly investigate all allegations of assault and take each one seriously,” VPD Const. Tania Visintin told The Vancouver Sun. “Investigators have worked hard and we are pleased to see charges have been approved by Crown counsel.”

At the time of this writing, Love has not turned himself over to law enforcement. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

This summer, Morisette appealed to friends, family and fans for help with his numerous hospital bills. “I stood up to anti-gay evangelical bullies in the West End this evening,” he tweeted, “and they purposefully broke my leg for the trouble. I don’t know why I did this. It felt like the right thing to do and no one else would. I’m going to have metal plates in my leg for the rest of my life.”

“I’m only tweeting about this because there have been too many instances of unchecked racism and during the pandemic,” Morisette went on, “videos of people spewing hate while everyone just sits there and ignores it. Do not allow yourself to do that. That behavior is not welcome in our communities.”

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