At the beginning of the year, computer hackers calling themselves Anonymous took over the Church of Scientology’s network in reaction to Scientology officials trying to get a Scientology promotional video of Tom Cruise off the Internet.
The group also began a series of international protests last month in front of Church of Scientology centers, with the first in memory of Lisa McPherson, a Scientology member who died in the organization’s care, as well as others Anonymous documents in several of its Web sites, along with other anti-Scientology sites such as Operation Clambake. In keeping with the Anonymous theme, those who arrive to protest disguise themselves with masks or cover their faces with scarves and what not. At more overseas locales, the masks worn in V for Vendetta are the most popular.
Tucson has been involved in these protests, with a group showing up last month across the street from the Scientology building at 1703 E. Fort Lowell Road. According to Ronald Krizp, a Tucson resident, he is one of two public information officers for Anonymous Tucson. There are no formal organizers, he adds.
Krizp says the first Tucson “raid” was February 10 as it was in many other cities. There was a small protest on February 2 outside the Orlando and Santa Barbara centers. Feb. 2 is Lisa McPherson’s birthday, so that’s why it was picked and the raid was in her memory.
This weekend, other protests will take place across the country, including Tucson, on Saturday, March 15. This raid is dedicated to the memory of Elli Perkins.
In a series of e-mails, I asked Krizp if there has been any reaction to the raids from Tucson’s Scientologists. Krizp says fliers they’ve put up at the UA have been covered by Scientology “free personality tests” fliers, and at the Feb. 10 raid, the Scientologists “hired a freelance videographer to video tape our protests and attempt to get our faces undisguised on camera. This goes with the policy that Scientology practices called ‘Fair game.'”
Anonymous gained its anti-Scientology-hero status with its video that has a V for Vendetta and Matrix style with a computer voiced narrator. The computer hacking, the videos and the raids have resulted in Scientologists accusing the group of being a hate group and taking legal action to remove the videos and prevent the protests.
“When Anonymous has said that we come from different walks of life, we mean completely different walks of life. I turn 30 years old this year, and I have my bachelor’s degree, so I’m definitely not the ‘hacker kid’ that Scientology would like everyone to believe I am,” Krizp says.
Krizp says the other focus of Anonymous’ efforts is getting Scientology’s tax-exempt status revoked. Unlike other “churches,” the Church of Scientology is a nonprofit 501c corporation that gets their status based on “religious education,” according to Krizp.
In one video, Scientology officials compare Anonymous to the KKK. The raids are certainly an exercise of free speech.
What I happen to find interesting is the use of the Internet that has propelled Anonymous into an international cause. There have been dozens of Internet sites documenting Scientology abuses and its secrets for years. What makes this different?
This article appears in Mar 13-19, 2008.
For me it was the rallying call, the meme. Anonymous got me interested in the subject, I started read about Scientology. And I got angry. What CO$ does is immoral. And because it does so many bad things, one of its activities actually affects my sphere of life (although I did not realise it at the time). Then it becomes personal. Especially, when you see what CO$ does when it is fully developed. You see the videos of them harassing non believers. The “you are with us or against us” mentality and the racial slurs that they use. You get scared.
What made me join this crusade is a coworker who was a Scientologist, and still uses the teachings of Scientology. He was angry that anyone would attack his religion, and I sat down with him and said, look man, nobody is attacking you or your right to religious freedom. They’re standing up against the evils of the “Church” itself. I passed information to him that I had read–testimonials, court documentation, etc. He now understands and admits that there are abuses and wrongdoings within the organization, and that something needs to be done. He understands and encourages our work, for the sake of those still on the inside.
To this end, I will stand with Anonymous and fight for people like him–people who don’t know what’s going on in the deeper layers of the onion that is the Co$. As well as the people who suffer the abuses of the Co$ in silence, in the hopes that those people may escape and live their lives free from fear.
Having been a scientologist and a member of their Sea Organization, I support Anonymous – from behind the scenes. I cannot risk having my spouse and/or family and/or friends subjected to their “fair game” policies, just because I exercise MY right to free speech.
This is not about the right to your beliefs. It is, IMO, about the abuses which occur in the name of “the greater good” for $cn; the high crimes and cover-ups perpetrated by the head of your organization; fairness for all religions regarding tax exemption for religious studies; and reconnection to the rest of the world, including your families.
Do you know the truth surrounding the death of L Ron Hubbard. Do you know that he died a lonely, unkempt man, with a PSYCH drug in his system (vistaril)and shot marks on his buttocks? The actual coroner’s report is a public record – if you are allowed internet access. Not exactly the self-determined ascension to the realm of Advanced Study that we were all told, hey?
If you are a scientologist, explore the internet and ask questions. You can survive and even practice your religion outside the confines of the official church. The truth may well help you see your way to actual freedom.
We come back. I am a friend, not an enemy. We are not attacking, we are protesting. We welcome your support!
Let’s get Asshat out there with his bullhorn!