MAGA-affiliated musician's concert draws condemnation from City of Montreal, but goes ahead as planned

A performance at a Montreal church by Sean Feucht, a controversial Christian rock musician and rising star in the MAGA movement, went ahead as planned on Friday, despite attempts by the City of Montreal to shut it down.

Earlier in the day, Catherine Cadotte, a spokesperson for the Montreal mayor's office, told CBC News that the show "goes against the values of inclusion, solidarity and respect" and that the venue, located in the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough, would be advised that the concert cannot take place.

"Freedom of expression is one of our fundamental values, but hateful and discriminatory speech is not accepted in Montreal and, as in other Canadian cities, the show will not be tolerated," she wrote in French. 

Feucht, an American, who is also a missionary and author, has expressed anti-diversity, anti-2SLGBTQ+ and anti-women's rights views on his platforms. 

In recent days, Feucht has dealt with several cancellations on his Canadian tour, including in Quebec City.

Following the cancellation in Quebec City, Feucht announced that he had found an alternate venue — Église MR in Montreal's Plateau-Mont-Royal borough.

When asked specifically why the city would try to cancel the show, Cadotte specified that the church did not have the permits to use its venue for a show. 

The City of Montreal has since fined the church $2,500 for hosting the concert. 

Ahead of the event, Feucht wrote in a post on X, that the church wasn't backing down, and told his followers it was time to "take a stand for the gospel in Canada." 

It wasn't clear, however, if he was referring to the city's plans to stop his performance.

Just ahead of the 7 p.m. start time, Feucht, who was preparing to enter the church, didn't appear troubled by the city's requirements for a permit. 

"This is not a performance, it's a church service," he said. "I don't think you need a permit to worship inside a church."

Feucht, however, took to the stage inside the church and began singing, accompanied by several musicians, as worshippers swayed along to the music.

Meanwhile, a crowd gathered outside in protest, banging spoons on pots and pans, amid a heavy police presence in the area.

Montreal police confirmed the arrest of a 38-year-old man for obstructing the work of an officer. 

"He was released on a promise to appear in court at a later date," said Montreal police spokesperson Caroline Chèvrefils.

Police also confirmed that a smoke bomb was thrown inside the church, but no arrests or charges were laid in connection with the incident.

When Feucht announced his Canadian tour,  he stated in a promotional video that he had made it his mission to save Canada and that through him, hundreds of believers would be freed, healed and delivered.

Since Wednesday, the singer has had his permits to perform revoked in other Canadian cities including Halifax, Charlottetown, Moncton, Gatineau and Vaughan, Ont.