Billboard Chris Elston praises Trump admin for moral support against censorship
A Canadian free speech advocate, known as “Billboard Chris,” recently made headlines after being fined by Australian authorities for obstructing public movement while displaying a billboard that read “children cannot consent to puberty blockers.” Chris Elston, who gained notoriety for wearing sandwich boards with various slogans, spoke out about the incident and praised the U.S. State Department for seemingly coming to his defense.
Elston explained that he was peacefully engaging in conversations with members of the public when he was issued a police “move on” order and fined $806 before being forced to leave the area. This incident was just one of the legal challenges Elston faced in Australia, including a case against the country’s eSafety commission for censoring his tweet about a transgender activist.
“It’s such a zealous overuse of authority,” Elston expressed. “We don’t elect officials to decide what we can say.” The State Department echoed Elston’s sentiments in a tweet denouncing government censorship and coercion of tech companies to target individuals. The tweet emphasized the importance of protecting freedom of expression both online and offline.
Lois McLatchie Miller of Alliance Defending Freedom International, a group supporting Elston, emphasized the fundamental right of individuals to speak their truth. “We stood up with Chris alongside the Human Rights Law Alliance in Australia to defend free speech there,” Miller stated. “But we also see censorship in my own country in the U.K., where people are being arrested for expressing their views.”
The U.S. State Department’s stance against efforts to undermine freedom of expression aligns with Elston’s ongoing battle for free speech rights. As the controversy surrounding Elston’s case continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding the right to express diverse viewpoints without fear of censorship.
Charles Creitz, a reporter for Fox News Digital, covered the story, highlighting the significance of Elston’s fight for free speech in the face of government censorship. As the debate over free speech rights intensifies, it is crucial to uphold the principles of open dialogue and diverse perspectives in a democratic society.
