Scottish Christian Woman Arrested in Brussels Over Free Speech Protest

In an unexpected turn of events in Brussels, two individuals advocating for free speech were detained, sparking a conversation on the state of expression rights in Europe. Lois McLatchie Miller, representing the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), was arrested for holding a sign stating, “Children are never born in the wrong body”.

Alongside her was Billboard Chris, a Canadian advocate supported by ADF, who was also taken into custody. Both were released after several hours without any charges, although the authorities decided to destroy their signs.

Billboard Chris described the situation as “total madness,” while McLatchie Miller labeled it a “free speech crisis” in Europe. Her sentiments align with remarks by US Vice-President JD Vance in a recent Munich speech, emphasizing concerns about expression rights.

Discussing their peaceful demonstration, McLatchie Miller told Fox News, “It’s an opinion that’s shared by many people across Europe, and yet the authorities came and shut down that conversation in the streets of this capital city, this heart of the European Union.”

She expressed surprise at the “hostility” faced in Brussels, hoping the incident would highlight the need to protect freedom of expression in Europe. “If free speech is not accessible here in Europe’s alleged home of democracy, then it’s not accessible anywhere and it really does raise an alarm bell,” she remarked.

Paul Coleman, the executive director of ADF, indicated that the organization is contemplating legal action following the arrests. He stated, “The Belgian authorities not only failed to uphold the fundamental right to speak freely — they turned the power of the state against those who were peacefully exercising their rights at the behest of a mob.”

He further noted the troubling nature of such authoritarianism in Europe, adding, “While we are grateful our colleague has been safely released, we are deeply concerned by her treatment at the hands of the police in Brussels.”

Emphasizing their commitment, Coleman declared, “We will not stand by while peaceful citizens are criminalized for speaking out on vital issues — especially when it’s the safety and wellbeing of children at stake.”