Scientology Protests Kick-Off Around the World
The group of online users known as "Anonymous", who previously crashed various Church of Scientology websites named February 10 an international day of protest against the church in an on-going effort to "destroy" the religion.
Anonymous first declared war on the controversial religion several weeks ago when a Scientology recruitment video featuring Tom Cruise circulated throughout the web. After YouTube removed the video from their site, Anonymous organized and posted their own video declaring war on the religion.
Since declaring war on Scientology, and promising to "expel you from the internet and systematically dismantle the Church of Scientology in its present form," several major Scientology websites in the U.S. and the United Kingdom crashed. The FBI was also called into investigate after envelopes filled with white powder were sent to 19 Scientology churches in the Los Angeles area.
In their on-going campaign against the Church of Scientology, Anonymous declared today, February 10, a worldwide day of protest. The Scientology websites so far appear to be functioning normally, however Anonymous previously warned "that it does not expect its campaign to be completed in a short time frame". A larger scale attack could come today, or sometime in the future.
The protests today are being organized through various Facebook groups and online chatrooms, with official Scientology websites and buildings being touted as targets.
Globally, protests have been organized for cities including Sydney, New York, Los Angels, London, Vancouver, and Stockholm. In keeping with the "Anonymous" theme, those at the protests are expected to be masked to conceal their identities.
The first protest to kick-off today was in Sydney, where an estimated 200 people showed up. The London protest is reported to have drawn in anywhere from 500 to 1000 people. Protests in the United States are scheduled to begin around noon in their respective time zones.
Below are some video clips from the London protest, and the Sydney protest.
London:
Sydney:
Taking down the abuse, fraud, and crime of the scientology scam
Proud of you. So disappointed in the purchaseed media and celebrities. But proud of those that dare to free.
How Could You Buy This?
I doubt you are a hateful person. How can you be so vindictive about something for which all you have is second or third-hand information and which is skewed and altered to inspire hate?
Not 2nd or 3rd hand
Not 2nd or 3rd hand information. FIRST HAND ACCOUNTS of ex-scientology members are everywhere! There would be more, but the cult intimidates people into silence.
You forget..
We're not brainwashed like you :) We're not so easily distracted like your victimized self.
Your cause is just!
Your cause is just!
scientology victims testimonies
Check this out www.scientology-victims-testimonies.com
Cheap Trick
Cheap and dishonest to post that way.
Surrender! Surrender!
...But don't give yourself away. Posting the truth isn't a Cheap Trick, it's alright according to our "Fair Game Policy."
FINALLY!!! A news source
FINALLY!!! A news source that is not only covering what is going on but done so in a manner that was not 100% in favor of the church. it should be noted however that the group is not one made up of hackers, rather internet users that want freedom online and freedom of information, and while some are "hackers" others are normal people that have opinions on the matter.
Proud of you Cleveland
Proud of you Cleveland Leader!! Good job reporting real news!
I like this article,it's
I like this article,it's very relevant to the Internet crowds =)
"In keeping with the
"In keeping with the "Anonymous" theme, those at the protests are expected to be masked to conceal their identities."
The most important reason for being masked is of course scientology's history of harassing anyone publicly criticizing it.
You say what?
the most important reason for being masked is cowardice. hide your identity and nobody can take it up with you personally. depersonalize scientoloigsts and you can get away with harming them. once you take scientologists down you can do it to catholics, mormans, born again christians. after all anyone who believes in something is crazy, right?
Bare faced lies
I attended the Manchester protest as a christian first, and an affiliate of project clambake second. Id never heard of anonymous till their self declared 'war on scientology', but if they want to protest against something I was already against who am I to not show them support. Im sure others who where there will remember me.
I didnt wear a mask, and neither did a lot of people. Scientology is not a religion, it is a money making pyramid scheme, and everytime you hide behind claims of 'religious persecution' you do damage to all legitimate i.e FREE religions. As a non denominationalist I can worship my God anyway I chose, and most importantly I dont have to bankrupt myself, or justify brainwashing, corruption and illegal activities in doing so. I am not afraid of you.
Most of all I pity you, and you are obviously part of this cult because your reply is a textbook example of Scientologists attempt to hide alongside other minority religions. But we have your number, Christians of all creeds will never be your ally, because Scientology destroys families and forces those most at need of spiritual guidance into fear and bankruptcy and brings disrepute on ALL true loving faiths with your lies.
The nerve you display in
The nerve you display in attempting to put $cientology in the same category is true religions is amazing. Even though all regligions are based on primitive superstition, $cientology is a very different animal entirely. Christians and Muslims do charity work - infact, Muslims are expected to give 10% of their earnings to the poor. $cientology does no charity work at all. It is a profit-making company peddling new-age claptrap, nothing more.
We hide our identities because our individual identities are irrelevent. We are legion, and as such we are united and are of one mind and one voice. All right thinking people on Earth are united in their opposition to the Cult of $cientology.
Liza Macpherson and the other 22 people murdered by $cientology will not be forgotten, and $cientology will be made to answer.
All the organisations you
All the organisations you mentioned are free.
The cult of scientology is the only organisation investigated and PROSECUTED for tax fraud, theft, tampering with government records and the only organisation where people have died under suspicious circumstances in their care.
Far from being cowards, the mask is a mark of unity.
The individual becomes a part of something larger.
We are Anonymous and we are legion.
Scientologist crybabies, you guys are brainwashed
First, Scientology is not a religion, so your point is made foolishly. Second, if you would bother to inform yourself about the cult by reading authoritative, undeniable materials, not published or approved by Scientology, your eyes would open. Until then, keep blaming Psychiatrists for all the stupid things people do. After you've paid in a few hundred grand, they'll tell you about Lord Xenu and the space planes that looked exactly like DC-8s, and the quintillions of Thetans in the volcanoes of Teegeeack who afflict humanity today because the Psychiatrists of 85 million years ago were meanies. You could read about all this today for free. More importantly, you could read about Scientology's crimes and murders, and you could listen to audio of L. Ron saying that Jesus was a pedophile and Muhammad was a sheep-f*xxor. Good luck.
"The most important reason
"The most important reason for being masked is of course scientology's history of harassing anyone publicly criticizing it."
Right, but the most important reason is the LULZ!
Take a Stand on Bigotry and hate
What if you heard someone promised to "expel you from the internet and systematically dismantle the Catholic Church in its present form," or the Mormon church, or Islam, or Judaism. This is not a prank, as some media are presenting it. It is malicious and hateful. And anonymous has a history. Fox TV exposed the guys who are promoting this last summer. Same motto. Same hate. But then they were targeting kids on MySpace. http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=WKFOx0UYrzs
Do not compare $cientology
Do not compare $cientology to real religions. I don't have to pay thousands of dollars to go to a real church. I don't have to be hypnotized and have my personal information kept locked up in files for future blackmailing purposes if I ever decide to leave the church. I don't have to be afraid that if I speak my mind, someone will come after me. Churches don't behave like that. $cientology does.
hate is hate
You are spewing hatred against an entire religion and its members. Just because you got your information from hate sites doesn't make it factual.
Since when....
did the truth become hate? If you do not like the truth, change it. Your organization has been around for 50 years and has had its fair share of warnings. You've had ample time to clean up your act and stop abusing the poor people you've tricked. Your whole organization's management is responsible for gross human rights violations and we will not stop until it comes to an end. You thought we were kidding too, right? Stop dissuading from the real topic as well. We are not out to stop any real religion, we're out to stop tax-free corporations who are MASKED as religions, JUST like $cientology.
Religion has no logical
Religion has no logical basis, and this 'religion' is founded on science fiction. How can you defend a group that steals money, and brainwashes their congregation? Learn to think a little bit before you espouse tolerance for intolerant groups.
False Accusations
"You are spewing hatred against an entire religion and its members" - OnlyFair
These are false accusation alltogether.
1) We are not spewing hatred against a religion, because $cientology is not a religion, it is a cult; it is a business that thrives on ignorance. It is an organization that has destroyed many, many families, and the lives of countless individuals through deceit.
2) We are not spewing hatred against its members, in fact, to the contrary, we sympathize with them. Anonymous has stated clearly that we are fighting the Church of $cientology, the leaders of $cientology. Its members are among the victims that we fight FOR. Over the past month since the first peaceful protest, "church" members, entrapped in the cult, unable to leave due to fear of persecution, have started to respond to Anonymous with praise. The voiceless are finally being given a voice. These people have felt the heartbreak of $cientology's "disconnect policy" and will join us in our cause on March 15, 2008.
Furthermore, Anonymous does not spew hatred against its member's faith. We believe in freedom of speech, and especially freedom of thought. Regardless of whether you believe in aliens, re-incarnation, or a man who turned water into wine, $cientology's organization, policies, and methods are evil, and this alone is what we have set out to destroy.
This is the truth, and nothing aimed to tarnish Anonymous's reputation will change this. For great justice, expect us.
False Accusations
"You are spewing hatred against an entire religion and its members" - OnlyFair
These are false accusation alltogether.
1) We are not spewing hatred against a religion, because $cientology is not a religion, it is a cult; it is a business that thrives on ignorance. It is an organization that has destroyed many, many families, and the lives of countless individuals through deceit.
2) We are not spewing hatred against its members, in fact, to the contrary, we sympathize with them. Anonymous has stated clearly that we are fighting the Church of $cientology, the leaders of $cientology. Its members are among the victims that we fight FOR. Over the past month since the first peaceful protest, "church" members, entrapped in the cult, unable to leave due to fear of persecution, have started to respond to Anonymous with praise. The voiceless are finally being given a voice. These people have felt the heartbreak of $cientology's "disconnect policy" and will join us in our cause on March 15, 2008.
Furthermore, Anonymous does not spew hatred against its member's faith. We believe in freedom of speech, and especially freedom of thought. Regardless of whether you believe in aliens, re-incarnation, or a man who turned water into wine, $cientology's organization, policies, and methods are evil, and this alone is what we have set out to destroy.
This is the truth, and nothing aimed to tarnish Anonymous's reputation will change this. For great justice, expect us.
Protest = Hate?
So what if we had protested the catholic church for the sexual abuse cases? Would that be hateful bigotry against all catholics? I think not.
So if we protest the church of scientology for IT'S misdeeds, all of a sudden it's hateful bigotry against all scientologists? I think not.
You got it, the Internet Hate Machine!
I am glad you remembered us! Did you put up curtains and buy a dog, as Fox advised?
Anon rulez
Thanks to all the lads coming down to London this morning! We should have been more (what was it, 150, 200 "Guy"s?) so next time bring your girls and sisters, hehe!
OSA activity
Apparently the OSA is very active here. As usual, everyone who does not agree with scientology is lying and should go to official scientology sites only. And crticizing or protesting the church is hateful, would you do it to mormons/catholics? Come on, cant you guys come up with some new propaganda? I guess you guys just cant wait to make it to OT VIII.
I noted your report states
I noted your report states there were 500 - 1000 people in attendance at the London incident - which I wanted to correct. Independent counts placed the figures at 225.
keep up the good work,
keep up the good work, cleveland. scientology is a scam, uses unfair business practices, and runs an incredible extortion racket. as such, it will be taken down.
We are anonymous.
We are legion.
We do not forgive.
We do not forget.
cult plants
Hey OnlyFair, you seem to be pasting the same stuff as this guy Gibber over at the Glosslip first pictures of the
protest page, are you the same guy?
Just a bunch of poor brainwashed slobs who are being led around by the nose by ridiculous propaganda. What? Hell no, not the Scientologists, the college kids who are out for a fun time at the expense of religious freedom. And, by the way, check out what anonymous is actually about. Fun loving kids, eh? http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=DNO6G4ApJQY
Comment by gibber — February 10, 2008 @ 1:13 am
"I just want to point out something really intriguing about Gibber. Gibber was posting from this location:
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Ip deleted to protect the not so innocent)
Church of Scientology International CHSCIEN-
Hi gibber, I’m Dawn, this is my site. Nice to meet you.
Comment by d — February 10, 2008 @ 1:38 am"
Not so
D, perhaps you should check this out as a rebuttal http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=eBGIQ7ZuuiU
RON PAUL 2008
VOTE RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT!!!
Demand the IRS revoke Co$ Tax Exempt Status
If I send my child to a Catholic school, a Jewish School, Christian School, etc., I cannot deduct the tuition as a charitable donation.
But a Scientology School tuition? 100% Tax Deductable!
Yes!?! Only the Co$ can deduct their class tuitions!
This must end. Read this:
http://www.nysun.com/article/70957
They pay every staff a salary below poverty so they don't pay any income taxes, THEN take them all around the Caribbean on a cruise ship!
Why does Scientology have a secret agreement with the IRS that affords them a tax exemption that NO OTHER RELIGION IN AMERICA HAS?
Sorry for shouting, but I am a 100% tax payer, and I am sick and tired of shouldering the yoke and these shysters get away with tax free cruises in the Caribbean!
See more about the IRS secrets here:
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Cowen/essays/nytimes.html
Then help us Demand the IRS revoke Co$ Tax Exempt Status in the USA!
These protests are not about
These protests are not about the religion of $cientology, but the CHURCH and its corrupt and illegal business practices that the US government endorses
Stop the Lies, Anonymous is against the Church of Scientology
Anonymous is not for the destruction of Scientology as a religion. Anonymous is for the the destruction or significant change in the "Church" of Scientology. In fact, Anonymous encourages members of the "Church" of Scientology to join FreeZone, an independent group of Scientologists ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Zone_%28Scientology%29 ).
Anonymous recognizes the right of anyone to believe whatever they want to. However, Anonymous does not believe that one must pay to learn more about the religion; this is a tax-deductible cost mind you.
Anonymous is against the Church of Scientology
Anonymous is not for the destruction of Scientology as a religion. Anonymous is for the the destruction or significant change in the "Church" of Scientology. In fact, Anonymous encourages members of the "Church" of Scientology to join FreeZone, an independent group of Scientologists ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Zone_%28Scientology%29 ).
Anonymous recognizes the right of anyone to believe whatever they want to. However, Anonymous does not believe that one must pay to learn more about the religion; this is a tax-deductible cost mind you.
Who is Lisa McPherson?
Do a search on her name and find out.
Happy Birthday, Lisa.
Our only regret is that we did not act in time to save you.
We are Anonymous.
We are legion.
We do not forgive.
We do not forget.
We will be heard.
Expect us.
Scientology is NOT a religion
Because religion is FREE. But this is a money making pyramid scheme.
No other religion in the world charges money for its teachings.
Im just thankful that some group, internet vigilante's or whatever, is finally highlighting these people.
We keep growing!
I had a great day!
I saw some of this event from the 2nd floor of the Dianetics/Scientology centre on TCR. I’ve been supervising there since November. My number of students attending Dianetics courses has been steadily growing, but I’ve never had more than this weekend of 9/10th Feb.
Normally we just get the regular 5 protesters turning up every few months or so with their loudspeakers. At last you’ve got off your arses and organized a proper protest, because when you do, we grow.
As far as I’m concerned, there is no such thing as bad publicity for Scientology - people have never been more interested, and more willing to find out for themselves!
You were a bit noisy, but I’ve been running the co-audits on Saturdays anyway, so it didn’t really matter.
Also, my students found it eyebrow-raising when I read out parts of Anonymous’ statement, the bits about laughing at plane crashes and school shootings, and having no sense of morality etc.
One of my students has been in Africa, and his comment was: “I don’t feel anything from them. [the protesters] This is nothing. I’ve been in a war-torn country where they’re shooting each other!”
So keep going - it helps Scientology grow!
Well so if you are so
Well so if you are so indifferent to criticism then why do you attack critics so viciously by harassing them, threatening their families, abusing the legal system by inundatin them with numerous lawsuits, intimidate them, frame them for crimes ect. I could go on but judging by all the videos I've seen of scientologists abusing and provoking peaceful protesters (just the panorama episode of a journalist whose job was to objectively present both sides of an argument was bad enough), it really makes me wonder, if scientology is as benevolent as it claims, why is it so vicious, why is it so defensive, does it have something to hide?
I've seen secretly filmed videotapes of standard scientology practices and I know exactly what you do to your "students", how you create non-existent character flaws in personality tests and exploit their trust in you as seemingly knowledgeable people, how you destroy their emotions, their humanity by making them go-over traumatic events repetitively for long periods of time, desensitising them. Then in their vulnerable states you immediately exploit this to get them to buy extra courses costing them greatly financially.
I suggest those who
I suggest those who criticize the actions of Anonymous do some serious research before they start spewing uninformed opinions. Time magazine did a wonderful expose on the church in 1991. I think Times magazine makes for a pretty official source. Find it, read it. To reiterate, anon is NOT against the religion of Scientology, we are NOT against the scientologists themselves. In fact, one of the chants are the NYC rally today was "Love the people, hate the cult." What we ARE against is the organization of the Co$. Operating under the guise of a "religion", it gets tax exempt status while it charges millions of dollars for spiritual enlightenment. They are one of the most lucrative business operations in the world. It also gets to play the religious persecution card everytime some one or some group decides to speak out against its actions. The very card they are playing now in fact, labeling anon as "religious bigots". Anonymous is not a group of terrorists. We are everyday people, but we are people who are not afraid to take a stand against what we believe is wrong. Masks do not mean we are cowards, it's merely to protect against the retribution of the Co$. If you want to have an idea of what they do to critics, google "Operation Freakout".
We are the people.
We are anonymous.
We are legion.
We do not forgive.
We do not forget.
We will be heard.
Expect us.
unfortunately they arent
unfortunately they arent allowed to do that kind of research even if they wanted, look up some of the accounts of Tory Christman (aka Magoo or Torymagoo44)
early on in her indoctrination spyware and censors got installed on her computer so all she could see was $cifag propaganda and it filtered out anything critical of the cult
First Hand Account of Sceintology Abuse
I don't know much about Scientology. What I do know I learned from them directly. For years I attended confereneces for families who had members stuck in cults. I had a family member stuck in a cult; not Scientology, but a bible-based cult. Naturally the Scientologists were there in force. They harrassed innocent family members everywhere. I could not believe how cruel they were. They were in the halls of the hotel early in the morning. They followed family members onto the the elevators and confronted people. They called hotel rooms all day and night. They pulled fire alarms forcing the evacuation of all hotel guests in the middle of the night. During the conference when ex Scientologists went to the podium to speak they heckled and yelled. A former excutive with Scientolgy spoke. She admitted that she herself harrassed anyone who attempted to speak out against them. She publically apologized. She was overcome with guilt for all of the hurt she did to families.
On the day I was checking out of the hotel the lobby was in total chaos. Scientologists were everywhere causing disruprtion. They photographed everyone, even those not part of the conference. As I was standing in line a young man was confronted by a group of people. He was an ex Scientologist. The group of Scientologists surrounded him. One of them, who turned out to be some type of "special agent" berated this young man who was shaking and almost in tears. The Scientology agent yelled at him "come back to us or you are going to die. Your family is going to die". It was truly awful. I didn't know what to do or how I could help. I interupted the confrontation just to give the young guy a break. The Scientoligists stared at me. They aimed a video camera at me. The scene was so awful and so intense for these family members.
Why would Scientologists be so cruel and hateful? How could this be a religion? What are they hiding?
The greatest emeny of the Scientology cult is their own members. When then finally break free and expose the truth Scientology will falter.
To anyone out there that knows of inocent people getting indoctronated into this cult help them quickly.
Power to the anonymous. For
Power to the anonymous.
For Greater justice!!!
But most of all, FOR THE LULZ!!!!!
Note
The only complaint I have is you repeatedly referred to the Cult of $cientology as a "religion." It's not a religion (even though the BELIEF of scientology might be; we weren't attacking the belief).
6607 Pearl Road, Parma
6607 Pearl Road, Parma Heights, OH 44130
^ local scientology outpost
You are invited to attend March 15th.
We are legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget.
Expect us.
why not get a life instead
why not get a life instead and stop harassing people?
That is the worst comeback
That is the worst comeback ever "why don't you get a life"
It reflects the fear of truth you hold.
And its quite simple really. You realize that they all have valid points but instead of acknowledging, discussing, and or resolving these conflicting points, you make a point to attack. Your attacks however, invite a larger crowd coming against you with facts you can no longer dispute.
Thus, your "attacking the attacker" stratedgy is working against you.
Something sun tzu once noted in the art of war:
If the enemy is using your tactics against you, it is time to adjust your strategy.
thus, perhaps it is time you got The thetans out of your ears and listened to what anon is saying.
Besides, where is your 500K at?
I'll tell you where. see that big nice church you go to?
Who payed for it?
To answer that, you need to only look in a mirror.
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