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

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Sunday, February 10, 2008 

The Internet group Anonymous today held over 250 protests, critical of the religious group Church of Scientology and marking 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, which is their replacement for psychiatric treatment in the event of a psychotic or deeply traumatic event.

Wikinews had correspondents in 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

Edinburgh, Scotland

Correspondent: Meekel

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". Upon further investigation prior to the event, Wikinews discovered that many of the protesters were considering it to be tuxedo dress with sunglasses and hats. The latter is the extent to which Belgian law allows concealing your identity, no masks or other complete concealment is permitted.

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.

Buffalo, New York, USA

Correspondent(s): DragonFire1024

New York City, New York, USA

Correspondent(s): David Shankbone

Ottawa, Canada

Correspondent: Editor at Large

Los Angeles, California, USA

Correspondent: IlyaHaykinson

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

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

• 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