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The Anonymous war on Scientology hits the streets

This is here to for people who didn't see the video in Found on the Net, or want more info. If you don't already know what I'm talking about from the title, read this article for the back story. http://www.partyvan.info/index.php/Project_Chanology

In short, "Anonymous," as users of the imageboard 4chan call themselves (because almost all users simply use the name "Anonymous" when they post rather than identifying themselves,) has declared war on the Church of Scientology. Anonymous has grown to include people from all over the Internet for this cause because large numbers of people want to spread the word that the Church of Scientology is a dangerous cult and criminal organization that extorts money from people, lies to them to draw them in, destroys families, works to destroy the lives of those who oppose them, and are responsible for a number of deaths of Church members.

It began with the leak of the video of Tom Cruise praising Scientology with the Mission Impossible music playing in the background. When the CoS claimed copyright violations and forced most sites to remove the video through legal threats, 4chan users, under the guise of ebaum's world users, launched a denial of service attack against the Church and began a campaign of harassment.

On Feb. 10, anonymous protests will be taking place across the world at CoS buildings. They have already begun in Australia
http://www.digg.com/world_news/Hundr...otest_Feb_10th
(please Digg this story to support the cause)

At least one fake news story, believed to have been posted by the CoS' Office of Special Affairs, has surfaced claiming to show protesters in Sydney being arrested for violence. The pictures are from a demonstration in Houston, Texas several years ago. This is just scratching the surface of what the CoS will do to discredit its opponents.

Opponents of Scientology used to be declared "fair game," which is pretty much what it sounds like. These days, they're labeled "Suppressive Persons" http://www.xenu.net/fairgame-e.html

If you can go to a demonstration, wear a mask, don't carry anything that can identify you or where you're from, park far away and walk or take public transportation to the protest, throw away any bus or train tickets that can help someone find out where you came from, and don't take the mask off or return to your car or anywhere that can help identify you until you are absolutely positive you have not been followed. The CoS is known to follow and harass "suppressive persons," tell lies to get them fired from their jobs, distribute flyers and letters in neighborhoods accusing them of being rapists, child molesters, etc. Don't risk it with these nutcases.

Here are a few pictures of the start of the protest. Scroll down to the post with two pics.
http://forums.somethingawful.com/sho...readid=2767497
See the guy in the first picture on the right edge next to the white sign? He's a CoS plant in the crowd radioing information back to the building about the protesters. This is why you have to be anonymous.

The timeline (includes current information):
http://www.pipian.com/stuffforchat/anon_v_scieno.html

Pictures of the Sydney protest:
http://forums.enturbulation.org/viewtopic.php?t=1588
edit: Sydney now has around 250 people demonstrating.
double edit: news coverage http://www.news.com.au/technology/st...014239,00.html
edit3: if you're willing to wade through the idiocy of 4chan memes, this page is updated faster than anything else
http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com...y_-_200_Attend
edit4: more pictures, but the site has been goonrushed by SA
http://www.ruhe.com.au/scientologyprotest/

Information on Scientology:
Operation Clambake: www.xenu.net
Disturbing Scientology Facts: http://www.yayboo.com/Religion/Most_...entology_Facts

/B (Anon) is a pit of retards. Their levels of depravity are gobsmacking. We'll see what happens when an "Internet hate machine" clashes with a solid organization that has deep pockets, lawyers, and tax exempt status. Will cries of religious persecution fall on deaf ears or will the church try to take care of this situation quietly?

I think we should sic the Westboro Baptist Church after them. And I'm only half-joking.

Who else has the money, lawyers, and level of insanity needed to fight the Super Adventure Club?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randerolf

/b/ as you and I know it is practically gone. Once the rest of the Internet caught up with the times and realized where a lot of 'net humor like lolcats started out, it couldn't hold off the onslaught of new people. I doubt that any of this came from the old-school /b/tards, it's more likely a small group trying to spark activism and catching the right wave. So far, dozens of people on Something Awful (known for being anti-4chan) are joining in, and the only thing remaining of the old Anonymous is the name and the motto. Anonymity is the only way to fight Scientology for exactly the reasons you're giving.

If I'm wrong, at least the crimes of the CoS will be more well known. If not, maybe this will catch on and be a lasting thing. I've never been one for "the enemy of my enemy is my friend," but when you're going up against something so big and so bad, I can set aside differences. It's a bit personal for me, I was labeled a SP for a school newspaper article about the CoS and the Lisa McPherson case, so I have a personal grudge against them. I hope to be at the March 15 demonstration in NYC.

One of Anon's sayings is:

"Anon never forgets"

I give them a couple months before they forget, and resume fulltime postings of lolcat pictures.

Not that scientology doesnt deserve any shit thrown their way, mind you.

Here's a link to a better article in Newsweek: http://www.newsweek.com/id/109410

If you go to a demonstration in SF DO NOT WEAR A MASK. It is illegal here and you can get arrested (I've seen it first hand). Wear a hat and large sunglasses, hood, etc.

Do not leave anything at the protest. Wear thick clothing. Bring gas masks. DO NOT TALK TO ANYONE FACE TO FACE. If you see someone trying to look at your face, look away. Look down. You cannot let them get pictures of your face.

Most importantly: check your local laws concerning legal protest. SF is not the only place it's illegal to have a mask.

Quote:

Originally Posted by willravel

On the other hand, if you're in NYC, masks have been OKed by police, and the police do not have a favorable opinion of the CoS and its members.

If you are in an area where it's illegal to wear a mask, wear a paper gas mask. Those aren't illegal anywhere.

I wish I could wear an alien mask like that....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ustwo

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/5370/xenumx8.jpg

Looks like someone in Auckland had the same idea
http://img14.imagevenue.com/view.php..._122_947lo.jpg

On a slightly tangential note, I remember hearing once that Scientology arose out of a bet between L Ron Hubbard and Robert A Heinlein. The deal was that they'd both found a church and the individual who was able to attract the most followers would win. As a result Hubbard wrote Dianetics and Heinlein wrote Stranger in a Strange Land, but when the time came to found a church based on his work, Heinlein refused to go through with it (being the moral paragon of our tale). Hubbard, with visions of Scrooge McDuck-esque piles of cash dancing through his head, had no such compunctions.

I have a feeling that it's one of those stories that isn't true but should be. Especially since I'll probably be labeled SP for relating it.

(expecting the burly scientologist men to knock on my door any minute now...)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martian

I've heard the same, but I think it's based on the comment that "Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion." I've also heard a similar story that he made a bet about starting a religion with Aleister Crowley. I don't think it's true.

Reminder: this is a PEACEFUL PROTEST. When in doubt, ask "What Would Gandhi Do?" Stop agitators, as they may be CoS plants.

The CoS does many things that I find distasteful (the auditing, suing or threatening to sue naysayers, Lisa MacPherson, the cult of celebrity), and yet...

I have a sister and brother-in-law who are CoS members...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martian

After reading stranger in a strange land I thought just how well his fake religion would have worked. I think it would be bigger than Scientology if someone worked on it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ustwo

After reading stranger in a strange land I thought just how well his fake religion would have worked. I think it would be bigger than Scientology if someone worked on it.

Of course it would. It combined the reality-altering powers scientology supposedly grants with free love and massive orgies. The Church of All Worlds is the Church of Scientology with sex appeal.

Orgies? Damn... atheism needs more of that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by willravel

Orgies? Damn... atheism needs more of that.

I don't think there's any religion or belief system out there that couldn't be improved by more sex.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martian

I don't think there's any religion or belief system out there that couldn't be improved by more sex.

Quoted for massive truth.

Anyway, that story seems entirely plausible. Heinlein wrote some strange stuff (Time Enough For Love), but he wasn't nearly as cracked as Hubbard.

Video from London plus pictures. There were over 300 people at the peak. Unfortunately, they're not following Australia's example and have been shouting 4chan memes and chanting "Xenu" all day instead of doing something productive.
http://www.qik.com/anonlondon

Ah yes, I remember seeing a flier posted outside of my statistics class on Friday, trying to recruit people to attend their demonstration against a local CoS.

I wonder if there will be any protests in Downtown Clearwater. It's pretty much been overrun by Scientologists. Used to be such a nice area, now all you see is robots walking around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esoteric

I wonder if there will be any protests in Downtown Clearwater. It's pretty much been overrun by Scientologists. Used to be such a nice area, now all you see is robots walking around.

http://forums.enturbulation.org/viewtopic.php?t=685

Haha awesome. I won't be participating but I wish them the best of luck. These Scientology fucks have ruined Clearwater.

Today was a huge success with the exception of Chicago and Vienna, which were canceled because of permit issues. Two Scientologists were arrested at separate protests for attempting to unmask demonstrators, and the only injuries were two people in Cleveland, Ohio who were hurt when a city bus driving next to the sidewalk had an engine cover latch fail. When the cover sprung up, the bus was driving at about 20 mph, and when it hits them one suffered cuts to the stomach and the other had a broken wrist.

Passersby seemed receptive to protesters messages and most were glad to take flyers and learn more. It's a very encouraging success, and I look forward to participating the March 15 event.

Anon = Morons

Their 'War on Scientology' has gotten to the point of absurd.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infinite_Loser

Anon = Morons

Their 'War on Scientology' has gotten to the point of absurd.

Because...? You want to back this up with anything?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSD

Man, you go to a protest that has a distinct possibility of getting violent, and then get clipped in a freak accident with a bus. That's random.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infinite_Loser

Anon = Morons

Their 'War on Scientology' has gotten to the point of absurd.

I was gone for awhile, glad to see you still love throwing around info without backing though.

If you have a better way please feel free to let us know.

Anon is winning, and has been for awhile now. The one thing scifags hate the most is attention toward their cult attributes, which they are getting plenty of at this point.

Next protest will be the ides of march, future steps include mass email/snailmail/calls/letters to state representatives about the shady ass lawsuits and ways they got their tax exemption.

At this point, it's a matter of sticking to the guns, Anon can't lose, How do you beat a regenerative invisible monster?

"Internet Hate Machine" You can call it that if you want. That shit is so old. Most people I hope have enough sense to see it as "young people standing up for what they believe in"

Here is an account of the Toronto protests from a Toronto blog:

http://torontoist.com/2008/02/scientology_pro.php

http://torontoist.com/attachments/to...yprotest_4.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torontoist

If you passed the Church of Scientology’s Toronto chapter at Yonge & St. Mary on Sunday, you may have momentarily entertained a dark fantasy that Tom Cruise would emerge from the masked masses amid gales of manic laughter, igniting the dissenting throng with bolts of righteous lightning.

Sadly, no such fun. Rumour has it that Mr. Cruise was under lockdown during Anonymous’ global day of action against L. Ron Hubbard’s brainchild. As the Toronto campaign got underway, Sunday commuters voiced solidarity with the placard-waving Vs and Vaders through their horns. “Honk for Xenu” read one such sign; “Honk if you think Scientology is silly” read another. On the other side of the street, police wedged themselves between Scientology’s Toronto headquarters and a crowd that was only getting louder.

http://torontoist.com/attachments/to...yprotest_7.jpg

The war Anonymous wants is over ten years old, fought on a digital battleground. Many of the demonstrators gathered on Yonge Street were rallied through Facebook or YouTube, new recruits in a struggle that, in this city, can be traced at least as far back as a guy named Gregg Hagglund (pictured above) and “The Great Internet Wars” of the late nineties.

“I started picketing because Scientology attacked me for criticizing them on the Internet,” he said. Referring to a Usenet newsgroup on the subject, he says, “Some of it was wild, but a lot of the posters were very, very educated in their information about Scientology. So I made the comment that if what they were saying was true, Scientology should be investigated.” As exchanges and e-mail bombings escalated, things got ugly. Before long, Hagglund and his compatriots were embroiled in a struggle which, at its heart, was about freedom of speech, information, and challenging a “culture of surveillance.”

That was something like ten years ago. And while Anonymous is a new movement, it is fighting the same war.

http://torontoist.com/attachments/to...yprotest_6.jpg

Watching the swelling crowd across the street, Hagglund reminisced. “We never had this many. The most we ever had was fifty people from all over North America,” he said. “This is incredible.”

Surrounded by watchful shutters, Rev. Yvette Shank, president of Scientology’s Toronto chapter, dismissed Hagglund’s and Anonymous’ allegations of harassment, suppression of dissent, and even stalking. “Bushwash,” she responded. “That is such bushwash. I have never, ever had that happen. If we did, we would be very busy. We wouldn’t be doing anything else.” "Anything else" probably refers to Scientology’s outreach campaigns, many of which are youth-targeted. “We have a drug-education campaign where we get kids from the age of 6 on up to pledge to be drug-free.”

"Anything else" also refers to Scientology’s infamous stress tests. “All that does is help us locate where the person is having the most difficulty,” Shank said, “and then you can start working on improving that.” When asked to elaborate further on the methods involved, Shank declined. (An invitation to “show us how it works” through participation, but that’s about it, and no mention of Thetans.)

http://torontoist.com/attachments/to...yprotest_9.jpg

Such details of the Scientology mythos have remained tightly-guarded for years, available only to the Church’s ladder-climbing members. With the advent of the Internet, the conflict between Anonymous and Scientology has become an information war, one that’s rapidly approaching critical mass.

“We’ve always said that the Internet is Scientology’s Vietnam,” Hagglund continued. “Now, years later, so many people between the ages of 18 and 25 are on YouTube or Facebook. When I stopped picketing, YouTube was just starting. Facebook didn’t exist. And they want to attack that?” Hagglund chuckled a little, remarking, “It’ll be like throwing a hand grenade into an African Bees’ nest.”

Since Anonymous’ first video appeared on YouTube, Scientology has been vigilant in defending itself and its interests, profiling Anonymous as an “Internet hate machine.” In its reporting, FOX News echoed the accusation. “I think FOX News did a good job at exposing the intent of these guys, honestly,” Shank asserted. “The hate crimes of Anonymous should be condemned. This is a country that is free, and I don’t want people that believe and follow Mein Kampf and The Communist Manifesto as their Bible.” Pressed for her source, she said, “It comes from Anonymous. That’s the source. You have to look at...” as an aide whispered in her ear: “It’s on YouTube.”

“Yes,” she confirmed. “On YouTube.”
http://torontoist.com/attachments/to...protest_10.jpg

Outside, a masked demonstrator offered his answer. “Anonymous likes to think of itself as a school of all literature,” he said. “So, likewise, we also educate ourselves through 1984 and Brave New World, which I’m sure they’d love their followers to read. Or not.”

If this is an information war, Anonymous’ outrage concerns a lack of transparency on the Scientology side. “We just like to raise attention on certain matters. If the church wanted to debunk some of [Anonymous’] claims, then they could make more of their information available and not be so secretive. If people knew all that they were getting into, they might have a different opinion.”

When asked for his name, the masked demonstrator simply answered, “My name is Legion.”

http://torontoist.com/attachments/to...yprotest_5.jpg

http://torontoist.com/attachments/to...yprotest_1.jpg

http://torontoist.com/attachments/to...yprotest_8.jpg

http://torontoist.com/attachments/to...yprotest_2.jpg

http://torontoist.com/attachments/to...protest_11.jpg

http://torontoist.com/attachments/to...yprotest_3.jpg

All photos by Miles Storey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infinite_Loser

Anon = Morons

Their 'War on Scientology' has gotten to the point of absurd.

What is absurd about protesting a cult that is responsible for at least 23 deaths worldwide, the destruction of thousands of families, and the bankruptcy and abuse of its members? An FBI investigation found the church responsible for "criminal campaigns of villification, burglaries and thefts ... against private and public individuals and organizations," the most notable of which was "Operation Freakout," a church program to have critic Paulette Cooper committed to a mental institution and ended up destroying her life through fraud, threats, and accusations of terrorism.

Church members engaged in a campaign (Operation Snow White) to steal and destroy records about the church from government agencies, and enough evidence of this was gathered to convict church members of that criminal activity.

What is so absurd about fighting against this organization?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Menoman

I was gone for awhile, glad to see you still love throwing around info without backing though.

You'll be hard-pressed to find any post which I don't provide evidence for but, really, that's neither here nor there.

Anywho, no one outside of Anon and their supporters care about these "raids" (aka, the majority of people). If Anon wants to 'change the world', they can start by protesting something meaningful-- Like run away government. But anything to protest the idea of a religion, right?

I love those masks from Toronto.

Well not the transformers one...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ustwo

I love those masks from Toronto.

Well not the transformers one...

They were using Guy Fawkes masks everywhere. Apparently there was such a huge run on them in some cities that they were literally sold out everywhere you went to look.

I think they look neat as well... Although I doubt a single Anon has the vigor, verve, and voracity of V

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infinite_Loser

You'll be hard-pressed to find any post which I don't provide evidence for but, really, that's neither here nor there.

Careful, I'm stubborn and have a free afternoon to search your posts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infinite_Loser

Anywho, no one outside of Anon and their supporters care about these "raids" (aka, the majority of people). If Anon wants to 'change the world', they can start by protesting something meaningful-- Like run away government. But anything to protest the idea of a religion, right?

You're using the same strawman as the CoS. The protesting is against actions of the church, not their faith. Anon is trying to prevent more people from being victimized. It's democracy in action.

Apparently the Clearwater protest went pretty well. Around 250+ people showed up, though I wasn't one of them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ace_O_Spades

I think they look neat as well... Although I doubt a single Anon has the vigor, verve, and voracity of V

But on this most auspicious of ante meridiem, permit me then, in lieu of the more commonplace soubriquet, to suggest the character of this dramatis persona. Announcement! In appearance a humble actor, cast additionally as both ass and antagonist by the attainment of fate. This aspect, no mere appearance of airs, is an adumbration of the “anonymous” now abandoned, alone. However, this adventuresome appearance of a bygone abuse stands animated, and has affirmed to annihilate these amoral and acrimonious assholes.

The only adjudication is avengement; a vendetta, for the account for the atrocities administered on the abandoned and abused.

You may call us Anonymous.

Quote:

Originally Posted by willravel

you win the prize :)