Billboard Chris, defender of children’s rights against trans activism, is in Australia this week to ‘do battle’ with Australia’s eSafety Commissioner.
Along the way, the gentle Canadian giant has planned to walk the streets of several major cities wearing his signature billboard.
These billboards carry proactive political messages with the purpose of opening a dialogue. Some of these are filmed and shared with his 493K followers.
You might imagine that starting in the newly minted Liberal/Conservative state of Queensland would be a pretty safe option. Melbourne and Canberra could prove a bit tricky, but Brisbane?
Billboard Chris tweeted out an hour ago that he had been arrested.
‘I’m being arrested for having conversations in Brisbane.’
A video (without sound) shows that at the time he was approached by police on bikes, he was wearing a billboard that read: ‘Children cannot consent to puberty blockers.’
In the end, it turned out that he had been ‘forcibly moved on’ and ‘threatened with arrest’, but was not actually arrested. He has already been released.
Elon Musk, who has become somewhat of a champion for free speech, saw the post and replied: ‘!! Are you okay?’
So far, that is all we know. [ See end of article for update. ]
Billboard Chris is set to headline tonight’s Free Speech marathon on the topic of Defending Democracy.
Last year, one of his posts on X fell afoul of a takedown order issued by Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, even though he resides in Canada. In response to the controversy, he said:
‘Whether or not you support my message, we can all agree that this form of state-imposed censorship is entirely illiberal and undemocratic. Australians have a right to openly discuss the serious issues impacting our children today.’
The point of his trip is to test the legality of the order. If he wins, it will be an important step toward protecting free speech online for everyone.
There are no details about why Billboard Chris was apparently confronted by police in Brisbane, but considering the sorts of protests which are allowed to go ahead without interference, it seems like an unfriendly way for Australia to welcome a freedom warrior whose goal is to protect children.
Brisbane has an enormous crime problem, but Billboard Chris is not part of it.
Does the Liberal Premier, David Crisafulli have any comment on the situation?
Will the Premier come out defending freedom of speech?
After all, it is unlikely this is what voters thought they were getting from Crisafulli’s ‘tough on crime’ agenda.
EDIT: Billboard Chris has posted an update to his X account including a video with sound of the incident which you can watch here.
He said:
Police in Brisbane have used force to remove me from a public street, but declined to press charges. I don’t think they want an international incident on their hands. This all happened because a bylaw officer lied and said I was obstructing people’s movement in a public square. 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 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. I gladly accepted it. He ordered me to move again. I again declined. Then the police came. 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. 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, sterilized, and turned into lifelong pharmaceutical patients. I opted not to violate my integrity, so they physically removed me. I believe they know what they’re doing is wrong, which is why they then opted not to formally arrest and charge me.
Flat White is written by Alexandra Marshall. If you would like to support her work, shout her a coffee over at donor-box.
