A religious non-profit organization established by an American Christian musician whose concert was canceled in Moncton last year has initiated legal action against the city. The City of Moncton rescinded permits in July for a performance by Sean Feucht that was scheduled to occur in a public park by the riverfront. Burn 24/7 Canada, the non-profit founded by Feucht, filed a notice of action in Moncton court on August 4, alleging that the city’s halt to the “musical worship show” violated the organization’s freedom of expression rights. The organization contends that these violations are substantial and pertain to essential civil liberties that uphold Canadian democracy, causing significant harm.
Burn 24/7 Canada asserts that the cancellation impinged on rights outlined in section 2(b) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Feucht, a Christian missionary and vocalist known for his controversial views on various topics, including the 2SLGBTQ+ community, abortion rights, and critical race theory, leads the organization. His group holds events in both Canada and the United States, with previous stops across various Canadian cities as part of the “Let Us Worship” tour.
The lawsuit claims that the cancellation of the Moncton show was unjustified, citing concerns about safety and security due to planned protests and Feucht’s conservative Christian values and public support for the former U.S. president. The group argues that safety issues were not a valid reason for the cancellation and emphasizes that the event would not have featured Feucht’s personal or political views. The claims made by Burn 24/7 Canada have yet to undergo judicial review.
Following the cancellation in Moncton, Feucht relocated the show to “Bar None Camp” in Taxis River, north of Fredericton, incurring additional expenses such as liability insurance, promotional materials, and facilities for the event. The organization expected a turnout of 1,000 attendees in Moncton but only received 200 participants at the new location. Consequently, donations to Burn 24/7 Canada during the event were significantly lower than anticipated.
The statement of claim also details the interactions between the organization and the city, highlighting the compliance with all city requests, including providing necessary documentation and adhering to event guidelines. Burn 24/7 Canada maintains that it had prepared security measures with trained volunteers for the event. The city has refrained from commenting on the matter as it is currently under legal review.
Feucht’s organization has faced similar challenges in other Canadian cities, including Quebec City, where a show was also canceled, resulting in legal action. The group seeks acknowledgment of the infringed rights to deter future governmental actions of a similar nature.