People walking downtown - or just waiting for a bus - say the City of Victoria should crack down on street preachers who they say are disturbing their peace.
Some religious groups stand in spaces around downtown, but just hand out literature.
Others are preaching loud enough to be heard over traffic.
In response to a series of complaints on the subject, Black Press Media visited the intersection of Fort Street and Douglas Street at different times of the day and on different days. During those visits, several street preachers - ranging in age from their 20s to senior citizens - were loudly preaching the gospel to people who passed by or who were waiting at the two busy bus stops on either side of Douglas.
All were handing out literature, including one that talks about BԪַdemonsBԪַ and BԪַhell fireBԪַ and what happens when we die.
The ones who were preaching out loud, pacing back and forth, were the subject of angry comments from the general public.
BԪַShut up,BԪַ one person yelled as they walked by. BԪַJust shut up.BԪַ
Othes yelled similar things, expressing their disapproval.
Black Press Media spoke to several people waiting for the bus about what they thought of the noise.
BԪַI just want to wait for the bus in peace,BԪַ said Terri Wilson. BԪַI donBԪַt mind other peopleBԪַs beliefs, but donBԪַt yell about it.BԪַ
Another local resident tweeted about the issue.
BԪַOne thing that could be stopped is the aggressive religious people at the main bus stop on Douglas at Fort,BԪַ tweeted @RaynaRambling. BԪַTodayBԪַs young street preacher was yelling at the people just waiting for the bus, BԪַDo you know what the scripture saysBԪַ and then would loudly read from his bible BԪַ Dresses formally, well-kempt, but working himself to a fervour. I shook my head at him with a withering look, and a lady laughed and said BԪַwhy do we have to listen to this nonsense, IBԪַm just trying to catch a busBԪַ as I walked by. Hugely aggressive and problematic. Very intimidating to all the people that are in the area, which is obviously why heBԪַs chosen that location.BԪַ
Everyone interviewed said they hoped the City of Victoria could do something about the street preachers, but thereBԪַs little local government can do to someone who is just speaking out loud in public.
Black Press Media contacted the City of Victoria for comment, but didnBԪַt receive a reply by deadline.
READ MORE:
Do you have a story tip? Email: chris.campbell@blackpress.ca.
Follow us on and and like us on