John Collins Interviewed By CBC News On Hate-Motivated Mischief Charges Against London Street Preachers

Religious researcher John Collins was interviewed by CBC News for a report on hate-motivated mischief charges filed against Matthew Anthony Carapella and Steven Albin Ravbar, often referred to as the London Street Preachers.

The CBC report examined allegations connected to disruptions at Sunrise Church and Hillside Christian Church in Cloverdale, British Columbia. Court documents cited in the report state that the alleged conduct was motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.

Collins was interviewed as part of the report to provide historical and ideological context for the pair's public messaging. He described the belief system behind the movement as rooted in the theology of William Branham, a doomsday evangelist whose religious network has been connected by researchers to extremist ideology, misogyny, and hate-based movements.

"The belief system is that the world is about to end. Females are the cause of its destruction. And it is closely tied to hate groups and hate ideology," Collins said in the CBC segment.

The report also highlighted concerns from local women's support groups, who described the pair's public activity as intimidating, degrading, and verbally abusive toward women.

Collins' comments focused on the broader religious and historical framework behind the street preaching. His research through William Branham Historical Research has documented the development of Branhamism, its apocalyptic teachings, its treatment of women, and its intersections with extremist religious and political movements.

The CBC segment noted that Carapella and Ravbar have previously faced disturbance-related charges in Canada and the United States, including a 2022 public nuisance conviction in London, Ontario.

The case is expected to proceed in Surrey Provincial Court. According to the CBC report, if convicted, the accused could face up to 10 years in prison.