Wikinews international report: "Anonymous" holds anti-Scientology protests worldwide

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Sunday, February 10, 2008 

The Internet group Anonymous today held protests critical of the Church of Scientology. The protests marked what would have been the 49th birthday of Lisa McPherson, who is claimed to be a victim of the Church of Scientology's practices. Lisa died in 1995 during a running of what Scientologists refer to as an Introspection Rundown, a procedure intended to help Church members deal with a psychotic or deeply traumatic event. Protests are planned throughout the day in 14 countries and against dozens of Scientology churches.

Wikinews had correspondents at a number of protest locations to report on the events. This article will update with reports as they come in!

Location Reports

London, England

Correspondents: Skenmy and Adambro

The first London protest took place outside the Church of Scientology HQ in Queen Victoria Street. Upon arrival at 10:30, approximately 50 people were in attendance. This was complemented by a small team of police officers. Members of the Church of Scientology were handing out flyers outside the HQ, with the protesters on the other side of the road. Numerous members of the media, as well as tens of amateur photographers and videographers were in attendance.

By 11:00, the number of protesters had grown to between 300 and 500. A variety of signs were on display, bearing such slogans as "Ron is Gone but the Con goes On" (referring to L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology) and "$cientology Kills" (referring to the claims that the Church of Scientology extorts money from its members). The police responded to this growth in numbers with riot vans, a large number of Community Support officers, and Police Horses, as well as a dog unit.

The protest at Queen Victoria Street was peaceful. Members of Anonymous were respectful of Police orders. Inside the building, security officers could be seen. Members were seen videoing and photographing the protests from the upper windows of the HQ building, prompting responses from the crowd. Signs were held saying "Honk if you hate Scientology" - causing a cheer from the crowd every time a car used the horn.

The infamous bright yellow "/b/" van was seen driving past early in the protest. At around 1:00 the protesters moved on towards Tottenham Court Road's "Dianetrics and Scientology Life Improvement Centre", where the police presence was even higher, and crowd barriers were set up. Half of Tottenham Court Road was closed for the demonstration, so a single-file line of traffic was all that flowed between the protesters (of which a significant majority of the original 300/500 turned up) and the Church of Scientology building.

Members of the Church of Scientology were handing out flyers, much like at Queen Victoria Street. However, the crowd this time shouted for passers-by to "tear it up" - some of whom did. Police reacted to those tearing up the material and throwing it down with the issue of a littering ticket. This road was much busier than the previous one, and a large crowd gathered to look. The crowd could be heard shouting "It's a trap!" when members of the public were offered free Stress Tests by the members of the Church of Scientology. There were a number of minor incidents involving protesters (who were quickly distanced by the majority crowd), but no major violations took place.

London Photo Gallery

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Manchester, England

Correspondent: Fallen-Griever

A protest in Manchester took place outside the Church of Scientology centre located on Deansgate, with around 250 people protesting at its peak. The protest was peaceful, with the protesters mainly sticking to waving banners and handing out flyers to passers-by.

Protesters respected a request from the police that they should leave the area by 3pm in order to avoid blocking the area for patrons leaving the multiple bars along Deansgate at the end of the Manchester Derby (a football match between Manchester United and Manchester City).

There was a minimal police presence at the event and the Church of Scientology centre was closed by the end of the protest.

Manchester Photo Gallery

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Edinburgh, Scotland

Correspondent: Meekel

Around 50 to 100 people turned up at the Church of Scientology centre in Edinburgh to protest. As protesters were not allowed directly opposite the centre a small police presence was visible in order to control the crowd.

Banners with "Scientology Kills" were placed at the front of the protesters and chants gradually began to start as the day progressed. Leaflets were handed out to members of the public passing by while people within the Church of Scientology were seen to be taking photographs from inside the church.

No protesters approached were willing to comment and access to the church was restricted during the protest.

Boston, Massachusetts

Correspondent: TUFKAAP

Protesters in Boston covered at least three corners of the block surrounding the Church with 20-30 people on each side of the streets and corners. Most protesters ranged from 14 to 17 years old.

Cars honked in support for the protesters, including firemen for the Boston fire Department.

Brussels, Belgium

Correspondent: Brian McNeil

The Brussels protest organisers decided to take things one step further than the "mask" dress code - and introduce a formal dress code of "Black, and Red Tie".

Saturday saw the start of press coverage for the event with Dutch-language national paper De Morgen devoting four columns in their reporter section to the protest and events that led up to it. Lisa McPherson, Tom Cruise, and John Sweeney were all covered along with images of the "Anonymous" advertising poster and the European Church of Scientology HQ in the Brussels city centre.

The protesters met up at Parc Royal metro station about 1km away from the European H.Q. of the Church of Scientology and spent approximately an hour putting finishing touches to placards and cutting up leaflets, all under the watchful eye of a number of suspected Scientology "spies" equipped with cameras and cellphones. Following closely the advice from police the group of approximately 30 marched to 91 Wetstraat where the Church H.Q. is in a subdued manner with banners and placards turned down. As the group marched to their point where a static protest was permitted three film crews from Belgian TV ran round filming the group and walking backwards to interview those who were prepared to speak to the press. Protesters came from as far afield as Luxembourg

The police presence for the protest was fairly light, upon arrival at the protest site, 91 Wetstraat (Rue De La Loi) one van and three officers were parked outside the Scientology HQ, approximately 15 minutes later two other police cars had turned up - delivering the Brussels Central chief of police and another four officers to monitor the protest. Instructions were given to protesters that they could not, under Belgian law, conceal their faces with masks, scarves or veils.

The signs in use by the protesters included a large "HONK!" which whenever a passing motorist hit the horn roused a large cheer from the crowd. Others read "Scientology kills", "Religion is free, Scientology is not", "XENU.NET", "All your Thetans are belong to us", "Hello Scientology, We are Anonymous", and "Alien souls inhabit you". Some were crudely done handwriting, others had been made at the pre-protest meeting with stencils and spray paint.

A chant was started early on, and repeated a few times throughout the day, "Brainwash! Brainwash! Brainwash!", this could likely be heard by people within the Church H.Q. as a number of upper floor windows were open.

Leaflets were handed out to passers by and motorists as they stopped at the nearest set of traffic lights. While highlighting that Christianity, Judaism, and Islam will freely give you details about their religion Scientology was starkly contrasted as "Ask a Scientologist about their texts, You will be answered. After your check clears".

The protest went off with no problems, although concern was expressed by some participants that they were not better allowed to conceal their identities. This was made extra concerning with the belief that some of those taking photos from a distance were members of the Church cataloguing the protesters.

Brussels Photo Gallery

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  Two protesters wielding signs.
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  Police watching over the protesters in front of the Church

Buffalo, New York, USA

Correspondent: DragonFire1024

As many as 50 people turned up to protest the Church in cold weather and wind driven snow. With temperatures ranging from 10 to just 15 degrees Fahrenheit and winds at nearly 45 miles an hour, protesters held signs and braced mother nature. Some lost their signs in the wind a few times, but managed to swipe them back up before they got lost in the weather.

Among the protesters attending was Chuck Beatty, a former Scientologist of 27 years from the Sea Org in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Several passing cars showed their support by honking, including a big red semi-truck tow truck.

The police were on scene to make sure protesters followed laws, but they were off duty officers hired by the Church because they "needed protection from Anonymous," said O. Casillas of the Buffalo police Department. Casillas also stated that protesters, "according to New York state law", had to be at least 100 feet form the Church, but because of a fence, protesters were allowed to picket across the street from the Church.

Casillas also took a flier with the rules and regulations for protesters stating, "I cannot take sides here, but the Church privately hired us."

At least three members of the Church were seen photographing, videotaping, and counting anyone who was gathered outside the Church. The protesters were not approached by any members of the Church.

Wikinews attempted to get a statement from the church, but Casillas stated that "the Church knew what organization [I] was from" and that "Wikinews was not welcome there [at the Church]." Wikinews recently published several stories and interviews that do not favor the Church and the officer's quotes suggest the Church is well aware of those articles.

Buffalo Photo Gallery

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  A Buffalo, New York Police officer waits outside the Church of Scientology to help with possible crowd control during the Anonymous protests against the Church.
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  Chuck Beatty, a former Scientologist of 27 years from the Sea Org in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania attends the 2008 Anonymous protest against the Church of Scientology.
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  A member of Anonymous wears a mask at the 2008 protests against the Church of Scientology.
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  Two children look outside the window of the Church of Scientology at the protesters picketing.
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  Protesters on the picket line.
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  A member of Anonymous wears a scarf, sunglasses and hat to disguise himself from the Church during the protest. He is wearing a badge saying "Happy birthday Lisa (McPherson). Your story will be told. You will NOT be forgotten." A photo of McPherson appears at the top of the badge.
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  Protesters brace the wind driven snow to protest the church.
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  Police and Office of Special Affairs (Scientology Special police/Secret Service) agent outside the Church. One officer has a wooden club.
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  Peek-a-boo! I see you! A member of the Church of Scientology is seen on the third floor, videotaping the protesters.
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  Members of the Church of Scientology take pictures of the protesters.
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  Say hello to the protesters! A child waves from the Church window.

New York City, New York, USA

Correspondent(s): David Shankbone

New York City Photo Gallery

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Ottawa, Canada

Correspondent: Editor at Large

Los Angeles, California, USA

Correspondent: IlyaHaykinson

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Correspondent: Dar-Ape

Several dozen protesters arrived across the street from the Scientology bookstore in South Side to protest, carrying signs and handing out flyers. Protesters included many students, mostly hailing from Pitt and CMU. Cars honked in support, though pedestrian traffic was a bit more sparse. Two or three police officers kept an eye on protesters from inside the bookstore, but everything went smoothly.

Brisbane, Australia

Brisbane Gallery

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Melbourne, Australia

In a video posted on YouTube, at least 75 to 100 protesters can be heard chanting "Xenu, Xenu, Xenu" as they protest across the street from the Church. Cars driving by honk their horns in support of the protesters. Police can be seen parked in front of the Church.

• exscn. "Melbourne protest of Scientology (Video)" — YouTube, February 10, 2008

Sydney, Australia

Correspondent: Wazza

A worldwide day of protests against the Church of Scientology has begun in Sydney. A crowd of about 800 turned out to protest against the Church and its alleged violations of human rights. The group Anonymous, who organized the rally, were handing out fliers to passers-by, and led various anti-Scientology chants by the crowd. The principal allegations made at the rally towards Scientology were the lack of freedom within the Church, and the excessive cost of their courses, which they believe doesn't warrant tax-exempt status. The Church of Scientology was approached by the author for a response to the claims after the rally, but the church refused to comment.

• Tub3dYou. "Scientology: Anonymous picket in Sydney" — YouTube.com, February 10, 2008

Sydney Photo Gallery

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Phoenix, Arizona

Correspondent: Bjweeks

Honolulu, Hawaii

Correspondent: Anon808

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Correspondent(s): Observer

Updates as of 11:54 AM Anonymous members arrived at about 11:00 A.M. About 50 members were counted with more arriving, despite temperatures with wind chill as low as -40F.

Vienna, Austria

About 20 people protested in front of the Scientology Center in Capistrangasse in Vienna's 6th district. At 12:30, half an hour after the demonstration started, individuals claiming to be acting on government authority ordered the protest to disperse.

Portland, Oregon

The protest in Portland seems to have a leader or two, and was lawful and very well organized. As of writing, police were not seen.

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  A masked man with a sign.
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  A Scientologist stands defiantly at the church's entrance.

The Internet

Correspondents:Anonymous101

Although there was no official protest on the internet, thousands of people supported Anonymous by subscribing to the channel on the online video sharing site YouTube, where the numbers for the channel have doubled in 24 hours, making it the most subscribed channel on YouTube this month. However, there have also been a few comments against the protests and "Anonymous" in the comments section of the channel.

Internet gallery

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  A section of the channel on YouTube which airs videos by Anonymous
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  A graph to show the increase in subscibers on YouTube to Anonymous' videos.

Other locations

The protests were not confined to the above locations, however. Below is a selection of photos from other protests around the world.

Were you at one of the protests? Please consider releasing your photos for use on Wikinews - see this page for more information on releasing it to us!

Related news

• "100 turn out in Orlando, Florida for "Anonymous" protest against Church of Scientology" — Wikinews, February 4, 2008
• ""Anonymous" plans to protest Church of Scientology on February 10" — Wikinews, February 3, 2008
• ""Anonymous" releases statements outlining "War on Scientology"" — Wikinews, January 24, 2008

Sources

• Murray Whyte. "Anons plan `polite' church protest" — Toronto Star, February 10, 2008
• Mark Stead. "Protesters in 'church' fight" — York Press, February 10, 2008
• Jill Pengelley. "Protesters picket Scientology" — The Advertiser (Adelaide), February 10, 2008
• Andrew Ramadge. "Scientology protests begin in Australia" — Melbourne Herald Sun, February 10, 2008
• dr3k. "February 10th Videos" — exscn.net, February 10, 2008