Police Detain Conservative Activist in Brussels for Protesting Child Transgender Treatments

In a dramatic incident on Thursday, Belgian authorities arrested Chris Elston, widely known as ‘Billboard Chris,’ along with Lois McLatchie Miller, an official from Alliance Defending Freedom International. The two were demonstrating against transgender medical interventions for children in the heart of Brussels, the capital of the European Union.

Elston and McLatchie Miller, who have garnered attention for their statements against gender-affirming care, held dual billboards expressing their views. Their signs read, ‘Children are never born in the wrong body’ and ‘Children cannot consent to puberty blockers,’ respectively. This public display aimed to spark conversation about their stance on children’s rights and medical choices.

After several hours in police custody, both activists were released without charges. However, officials ordered them to destroy their signs, raising questions about the state of free speech in the European Union.

McLatchie Miller recounted the events to Fox News Digital, stating, ‘Chris and I were arrested for stating a simple truth in public: no child is born in the wrong body. I called the police because we felt threatened as a mob surrounded us. Instead of addressing the aggression, the police arrested us—two individuals peacefully holding signs and open to dialogue.’

Concerns Over Freedom of Expression

The arrest of Elston and McLatchie Miller sparked immediate backlash. McLatchie Miller emphasized how troubling it is that speaking out for children’s well-being could lead to detention in a place like Brussels. ‘If advocating for children is now grounds for arrest, then our freedom to discuss critical issues is genuinely at risk,’ she remarked.

Elston, renowned for his provocative public displays against child gender transition treatments, consistently engages in discussions surrounding this contentious topic. The protests drew a significant crowd, which escalated in aggression, prompting police intervention. Video footage emerged of a police cordon forming around the activists to protect them from the crowd.

In the footage captured just before their arrest, Elston can be heard stating, ‘We have quite a scene unfolding in Brussels, Belgium. We’ve been immensely harassed for about the last hour. We’ve remained perfectly calm, engaging in discussions about what is considered one of the greatest child abuse scandals in modern medicine.’

Police Response and Legal Justifications

Despite initially calling the police for assistance, Elston reported that when law enforcement arrived, they instructed him and McLatchie Miller to put away their signs. He recalled, ‘We called the police because a man was harassing Lois as she tried to film. Upon arrival, the police told us to put our signs away. I refused, asking what law I was violating, but the officer could not provide an answer.’

The police ultimately threatened Elston with arrest. ‘I said, ‘That’s fine. Go ahead,” he recounted. This interaction highlights potential challenges activists face when engaging in protests, particularly in a climate of heightened tensions around the topic.

Reaction from Alliance Defending Freedom International

The Alliance Defending Freedom International quickly issued a press release following the incident, detailing the treatment Elston and McLatchie Miller suffered. They described how the activists were taken to different police stations, where they underwent searches and were ordered to remove their clothes. After a few hours, both were eventually released.

In a strong statement, ADF International’s executive director, Paul Coleman, condemned the actions of the Belgian government: ‘The Belgian authorities not only failed to uphold the fundamental right to speak freely but turned the power of the state against individuals peacefully exercising their rights due to a hostile mob.’

This incident has raised alarms about the state of free expression in Belgium and, by extension, the European Union as a whole. Coleman continued, ‘This kind of authoritarianism, which we usually criticize in less democratic nations, is disheartening to see happening in the very heart of Europe.’

A Call for Reflection

As the repercussions of this protest unfold, many are left questioning the balance between public safety and freedom of speech. The incident not only exemplifies the growing divide in opinions regarding transgender rights but also highlights a critical juncture for civil liberties in Europe.

Fox News Digital attempted to reach the Belgian police for further comments on the incident but did not receive an immediate response. This lack of transparency amid increasing tensions underscores the importance of public discourse on such pivotal issues.

In light of these events, there is a pressing need for both lawmakers and citizens to reflect on the implications of such arrests on democratic values. The case of Billboard Chris and his ally serves as a reminder of the often-contentious relationship between activism and government response in contemporary society.