Don Braid: Artur Pawlowski is guilty but martyred, with the unwitting help of Danielle Smith

The justice system thwarted Smith's personal preference for dropping 'political' charges. Pawlowski despises her for letting him down. And now he's forming a party to run against her

Author of the article:

Don Braid  •  Calgary Herald

Published May 02, 2023  •  Last updated 2 hours ago

 

 

 

Street preacher and political activist Artur Pawlowski speaks to reporters outside the Alberta legislature in Edmonton on Thursday, January 12, 2023. Photo by Lisa Johnson /Postmedia

 

 

Preacher Artur Pawlowski is very disappointed in UCP Leader Danielle Smith. As the election campaign began Monday, he counted her among “the snakes and the scorpions and the vipers already at each other’s throats.”

That’s ungrateful of him, it seems to me. Nobody has given Pawlowski more profile with the radical right than Smith.

Now he has more grist for martyrdom after being found guilty Tuesday of criminal mischief for his actions at the Coutts border blockade, as well as breaching a release order.

Smith foolishly took a phone call from Pawlowski in January. She voiced sympathy for dropping the charges against him, but said she couldn’t do it because prosecutors are so darned independent.

They proved that Tuesday.

The justice system thwarted the new premier’s personal preference for dropping “political” charges. Pawlowski despises her for letting him down. And now he’s forming a party to run against her.

Some phone call.

 

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/braid-artur-pawlowski-guilty-martyred-danielle-smith/wcm/e6e9723a-d4d5-4909-9a7a-38d607d40d9a