A Canadian campaigner against the use of puberty blockers for children says he was forcefully removed from Brisbane city centre by officers who issued a notice for either obstructing or disturbing the public.
It’s a claim Chris Elston, also known as Billboard Chris, denies.
He has also raised questions around why massive crowds of pro-Palestine protesters have been free to present en masse the CBD regularly without each being issued the same $806 fine he received.
Taking to social media platform X on March 25, Elston shared a video of a council officer handing him a paper, with at least four police officers surrounding him.
“Police in Brisbane have used force to remove me from a public street, but declined to press charges,” Elston said on X.
Elston denied he had obstructed or disturbed the public.
“All I did, as usual for the past 4.5 years, was stand quietly by myself in the corner of the square, having conversations only with those who approach me,” he said.
“[The council officer] told me to move and I refused because I know my rights. I’m on a public street and I can have conversations.
“He then issued me an $806 fine.”
Elston said he accepted the fine but did not move on, which was when police officers arrived.
“They debated for about 45 minutes what to do with me, before eventually saying I would be arrested and charged if I refused to move,” he said.
“I could not agree to their terms with a clear conscience.
“I refuse to accept zealous abuse of power by those in authority, simply because I’m peacefully spreading a true message that vulnerable children are being maimed, sterilised, and turned into lifelong pharmaceutical patients.”
Elston said he was then physically removed but was not charged with any offences.
A spokesperson for the Queensland Police Service said police were called to “reports of a disturbance” at the outdoor Queen St Mall in Brisbane just before 1 p.m.
“A 49-year-old man was issued a move-on direction, and no further police action was taken,” they said.
Elston, who is well-known online as Billboard Chris, describes himself as a father of two girls who takes a stand against gender ideology.
He maintains that puberty blockers bring physical harm to children, and follows the English High Court’s ruling that children cannot consent to taking the life-altering medications.
Elston is known for standing quietly while wearing a sandwich board and having conversations with passers-by.
Earlier this year, the Queensland Liberal National Party government announced it would conduct a review into the use of puberty blockers, separate from a review initiated by the federal Labor government.
Brisbane City Council was contacted for comment.
