Press: April Protest
From EdinburghLulz
Contents |
Anonymous, Scotland - Press Release
Contact:
- telephone: Ron - 07512930335
- email: Genome: EdinburghAnonymous@gmail.com
- Message Board: http://forums.edinburghlulz.com/ - general questions are best posted here, no registration is necessary.
EMBARGO: 00.01am, Friday 11th April
Masked protesters to unmask Scientology
Over 100 masked protesters will assemble in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town on Saturday April 12th, to speak out against the human rights abuses of the controversial church of Scientology. As part of a coordinated national and global event, the day will be a focus on the families cut apart by Scientology. Ex-Scientologists and those with relatives inside the "Church" are encouraged to join the demonstration, and speak out about their experiences of disconnection from their loved ones, and the impact it has had on their lives.
The peaceful protest in Edinburgh will be held from 11am to 3pm at Hunter Square, close to Scientology's Scottish headquarters - aiming to raise awareness of the Church's presence in Edinburgh, and its violations of human rights worldwide. Previous protests in February and March each comprised of over 100 concerned members of the public, who wore masks to hide their identity from the Church. As many as 9000 protesters attended each protest worldwide.
The "disconnection policy" of the Church faces particular criticism. The policy, which forces Church members to "disconnect" from their family and friends by refusing to see or talk to them, causes terrible stress and unhappiness to thousands of families. Former Scientologists see this as a deliberate tactic to remove the members' support groups from outside the Church, making it emotionally and practically difficult for them to leave.
Other protested policies include "fair game", by which the Church seeks to silence dissent using criminal harassment. L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology's founder, wrote that voices of disagreement should be "tricked, sued or lied to, or destroyed," and victims of this policy have been driven to suicide, or murdered. Masks are worn to protect demonstrators against such attacks. Several critics have already been named and harassed by the Church in order to silence them.
A spokesperson for the protesters said: "Many people believe that the Church is harmless or ridiculous, however it is in reality very dangerous. We are here to unmask the Church of Scientology by revealing its terrible practices. We will force the Church of Scientology to reform or collapse."
Contact:
- telephone: Ron - 07512930335
- email: Genome: EdinburghAnonymous@gmail.com
- Message Board: http://forums.edinburghlulz.com/ - general questions are best posted here, no registration is necessary.
Notes For Journalists
Background Information on the Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology was founded in 1953 by science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard, and has since become known as one of the world's most notorious and formidable religious organisations. It is banned in Germany, and facing investigation in Belgium. In the 55 years since its inception, the Church has faced allegations of being a commercial enterprise that harasses its critics, exploits its members, and neglects adults in its care. Scientology has also faced criticism over the cost of progression through its "auditing" system, with the minimum total bill for completing the course estimated between £180,000 - £190,000. Members are coerced by the Church to put themselves deep into debt to pay for these courses which they are lead into believing is the only way to 'Total Freedom'
The Campaign against Scientology
The protesters, who are not part of any formal organization, will add their voices to an established body of critics who have been repeatedly attacked by the Church for speaking out. The information on Scientology is available to the public thanks to their continuing hard work and courage.
As part of "Reconnection Month", we ask the press to appeal to Scottish families with members in Scientology to contact us in strictest confidence, as part of our own efforts to locate them. Those wishing to stay anonymous can post on our message boards without registration.
Protesters' Objectives
- abolition of the Church's disconnection policy, which breaks apart families and isolates members from all support outside of Scientology, allowing the Church to take absolute control of its members affairs.
- abolition of the Church's policy of suppression of criticism or dissent from either its members or the general public.
- Wikipedia: Fair Game (Scientology) Note: the records here are compiled from government tax records, and only exist up to 1999: when Scientology gained tax exemption status.
- reassessment of the Church's dubious tax-exemption status. We consider this to be fraud.
- apology for crimes repeatedly perpetrated and covered up by Scientology.
- cessation of the Church's exploitation of its members' faith for financial gain. The organisation's income in England and Wales totals £17 million a year from roughly 1,700 members. More than £9 million is drained to Scientology's overseas entities, untaxed [1].
We aim to educate the public about Scientology's dangerous practices, and force the organisation to reform or collapse. We feel we have a right to force change as the organisation has proven itself to be incapable of regulating its own abhorrent behaviour.
Background Information on the Anonymous movement
Who or what Anonymous is is largely irrelevant. We aim to raise awareness about the Church of Scientology's abuses.
Previous Actions
On 10th of February, 130 'Anonymous' people protested outside Edinburgh's Hubbard Academy of Personal Independence as part of a global effort against the so-called 'Church' of Scientology. The call for action was broadcast publicly across the internet (on Youtube, Gumtree, Facebook, and many other sites), and was answered by thousands across the world. For most, it was their first ever public protest. The Edinburgh group were met with support by the general public and concluded the demonstration peacefully, as did a further 103 other protests worldwide, numbering more than 9000 people in total.
On 15th of March, 120 members of Edinburgh Anonymous protested at Hunters Square near the Hubbard Academy of Personal Independance, in ironic celebration of the birthday of L. Ron Hubbard. L Ron is the founder of the Church of Scientology who famously commented that the best way to make a million dollars would be to start a religion.
Who is Anonymous?
Anonymous can best be described as a movement which grew out of the internet. The members are all self-declared and are loosely organised through internet message boards, wiki pages and YouTube. It has no structure and no leader, with all dialogue and affairs between members being completely open to those with access to the internet. The anonymity of its members is a result of Scientology's history of suing and silencing anyone who dares to criticise the Church.
Contact
- telephone: Ron - 07512930335
- Message Board: http://forums.edinburghlulz.com/ - general questions are best posted here, no registration is necessary.
Further Reading
- Press image
- Moira Hutchinson's Story - Moira is an ex-Scientologist who was of a high rank at the Edinburgh organisation
- 12th April - Operation Reconnect
- Xenu.net - resources on the bad side of Scientology.
- youfoundthecard.com - Extensive Information on Scientology with references
Epilogue
- We are Anonymous,
- We are legion,
- We have awoken,
- We stand as one.
