Public health officials and law enforcement tried education, warnings, and helpful suggestions before they finally resorted to arresting James Coates, pastor of Edmonton-area GraceLife Church, for refusing to comply with precautions designed to halt the spread of COVID-19. Even after he was arrested, they offered him the chance to be released on bail, with just one simple and reasonable condition: Stop breaking the law.

Coates continues to refuse, so he’ll remain in prison until his trial, scheduled for the first week of May.