VANCOUVER—A retired Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officer is questioning part of the police response to the assault of a man at a transgender rights event in Vancouver, while another retired officer urges further investigation before coming to a conclusion.
On March 31, Chris Elston, also known by his moniker Billboard Chris because of the sandwich boards he wears denouncing puberty blockers for children, went to the site of an event marking Transgender Day of Visibility in Vancouver’s Grandview Park. An altercation shortly after his arrival spurred Elston to call 911 to report that he had been assaulted.
However, Elston and his supporters were critical of police response on the scene, with Elston saying that the police “did nothing” as he was attacked. Online videos from the incident show people holding transgender flags surrounding Elston and yelling obscenities at him. A person is then seen punching him in the throat and throwing him to the ground. VPD officers then rush in to disperse the crowd….