Canadian activist Chris Elston, widely known as “Billboard Chris,” was arrested in Brussels last week while discussing gender-related medical procedures for minors in a public square.

Elston and ADF International's Lois McLatchie Miller were detained after being confronted by a hostile crowd, though no charges were filed, prompting Elston to claim a breach of their free speech rights and announce plans for legal action, The Christian Post reported.

Elston had traveled to Brussels to meet with European lawmakers and hold conversations with the public about his opposition to transgender medical interventions for minors. Joined by Lois McLatchie Miller, the senior legal communications officer for ADF International, Elston wore a sandwich board reading, “Children cannot consent to puberty blockers.”

Street Interaction Escalates Amid Growing Tensions

According to Elston, the pair had engaged in similar public interactions in other countries without incident. However, the reception in Brussels turned hostile quickly, something he described as unlike previous experiences. He claimed they were met with ongoing verbal opposition and aggression from bystanders early into their time in the street.

Tensions heightened when a man began directing aggressive behavior toward Miller. Elston said the situation led him to call police, describing the conduct as “criminal harassment of a young woman half his size.”

By the time officers arrived, a crowd had assembled around the discussion site. Upon arrival, police told the pair that they needed prior approval from the city’s mayor in order to display their message publicly. Elston responded that they weren’t staging a demonstration, but simply holding conversations sparked by the sign.

Police Detain the Pair Over “Disturbance”

Despite their explanation, police ordered Elston and Miller to take down the sign and depart the location. Soon after, both were arrested and informed they were being charged with causing a public disturbance. Officers handcuffed them and transported them to a separate police station.

Elston described being processed, having his possessions taken, and being searched down to his underwear. Both he and Miller were held in individual cells until their release that evening, around 9 p.m. Despite the midday arrest and hours-long detention, no formal charges were ultimately filed against them.

Elston later stated that the experience was a clear violation of their right to free expression and indicated he planned to pursue legal action against the authorities involved. “We are taking legal action against them,” he said following the incident.

Legal and Scientific Arguments Cited Post-Release

Following his release, Elston doubled down on his message, asserting that it is grounded in science rather than ideology. “Children cannot consent to puberty blockers,” he repeated, emphasizing that this stance is supported by multiple reviews of medical literature and judicial opinions from several countries, including England and Sweden.

Elston positioned his activism as a response to what he described as dangerous practices impacting thousands of children. He specifically highlighted the use of puberty-blocking medications, stating that these pharmaceuticals have not been approved for gender-related use in minors.

He tied the issue to broader cultural concepts, arguing that a combination of social media influence and certain educational practices were contributing to increased medical interventions in youth. He called the trend a “cult” and claimed it is leading to both psychological harm and physical consequences for children.

Calls to Action and U.S. Supreme Court Alignment

The activist’s statements closely followed the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 18 ruling in Skrmetti v. United States, which upheld Tennessee’s law banning gender-transition-related medical treatments for minors. Elston cited the decision as further validation for his position.

He added that his advocacy is not rooted in hatred, but in concern for children’s health and well-being. He argued that everyone, particularly adult men, must take a stand to speak on what he describes as irreversible harm being done to youth.

“We have kids losing body parts,” Elston said. “So all of us adults, particularly us men, need to stand up because we can't tolerate this a moment longer.”

Debate Over Expression and Permits Continues

At the heart of the dispute is what qualifies as protected expression under local laws. Brussels police reportedly maintained that a permit was needed for public messaging of any kind, even that conducted through conversation while wearing signage.

Elston disagreed, stating that speaking with people on sidewalks or in public squares has never previously required permits in other countries he has visited for his activism. He emphasized that his sign was intended as a “conversation starter” and not a formal demonstration.

Supporters of Elston’s views have pointed to the lack of charges filed and the duration of the detention as signs of official overreach. Legal proceedings may now test the boundaries between public order laws and freedom of expression in Belgium.