Canadian Activist’s Legal Win Over Brisbane City Council
(Photo: ADF International)
Chris Elston, widely recognized as “Billboard Chris,” has successfully overturned a fine imposed by the Brisbane City Council in Australia. Known for his distinctive campaigning style of wearing billboards, Elston faced an $806 fine in March after a council employee accused him of obstructing pedestrian flow in Queen Street Mall.
Elston took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express his disbelief at the situation: “I was told I would go to jail if I refused to move, but I knew the council worker was lying … I hadn’t violated any of their bylaws.” At the time, he was displaying a billboard that read, “Children Cannot Consent to Puberty Blockers.” Elston claims that the police implied the council’s actions were influenced by their bias against his message.
Despite not being arrested, Elston was fined. With backing from the Human Rights Law Alliance, he contested the fine and presented video evidence of the incident. This week, Elston received confirmation that the fine had been revoked. Brisbane City Council communicated in a letter, “After reviewing the file and giving consideration to the facts and circumstances surrounding this matter, I wish to advise that Infringement Notice 8000030612317 has been withdrawn.
“There is no further action required by you and this matter is now closed.”
Elston celebrated the outcome as “tremendous news” and vowed to continue his public advocacy undeterred.
Elston has been a prominent figure in debates over transgender issues. In February, he challenged the appointment of Teddy Cook, a trans individual, to the World Health Organization as an expert on trans issues via a post on X. Although Australia’s E-Safety Commissioner called for its removal, X did not comply but instead geo-blocked the post within Australia.
Earlier in the month, Elston faced arrest in Brussels, Belgium, alongside Lois McLatchie Miller from the Alliance Defending Freedom. They were detained for carrying signs criticizing puberty blockers for children but were released without charges.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
