Two men known for yelling sexist and misogynistic comments at women throughout London are now accused of verbally attacking female parishioners inside a local church.
London police were called to the Elmwood Avenue Presbyterian Church after two men began hurling insults at women who were attending the service around 11:20 a.m. on Sunday. The men had left before officers arrived, but were located and arrested several hours later.
Steven Ravbar, 50, and Matthew Anthony Carapella, 32, both of London, are charged with mischief relating to religious property. They will appear in London court in relation to the charges on May 27.
The infamous "street preachers" are known to wear sandwich boards with messaging that warns of damnation for those who don’t follow their interpretation of the Bible. Several women have reported being called "whores" and told by the pair that they would not get into Heaven because they wear pants. The men often use microphones and small speakers to amplify their abusive or insulting speech.
Last month, Ravbar and Carapella were charged with five counts under the city's amended public nuisance bylaw that prohibits unnecessary interference with the use and enjoyment of public space. Since the start of the year, the city has received more than 100 complaints about the men calling out women for their choice of clothing or hairstyle.
