Alan
10th February 2008, 03:53 AM
http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,23189467-5014239,00.html
International protests against Scientology begin in Australia
Crowd wearing masks demonstrate outside Sydney branch
Technology: Read more news and reviews in our tech section »
A GLOBAL day of protest against the Church of Scientology organised by internet group "Anonymous" began today with demonstrations outside the church's Australian offices.
About 150 people gathered at the Church of Scientology building in the Sydney CBD this morning, most of them carrying pickets and wearing costumes or masks.
At 11am, when the protest was scheduled to start, staff inside the building set up a video camera pointed at the street below and locked the front doors. Two security guards stood outside the building and were later joined by several police officers.
The protestors, who said they had worn masks to remain anonymous and prevent possible legal action or retribution from the church, chanted "Church on the right, cult on the left", "Religion is free" and "We want Xenu".
Related links
Anonymous: Group declares 'war' on Scientology
They also made a reference to Lisa McPherson, the US woman whose death in 1995 while under the care of a branch of the church led to a civil wrongful death lawsuit. Criminal charges filed against the church over Ms McPherson's death were dropped in 2000.
Members of the crowd said they had been told not to use "geek speek" during the protest and to put their message across as clearly as possible. They handed out flyers accusing the church of financially exploiting its followers and suppressing criticism.
NEWS.com.au is awaiting comment from the church's Sydney branch on the protest.
Anonymous, a notorious internet group whose membership includes hackers, last month declared "war" on the church and temporarily prevented access to at least one official Scientology website.
The group also organised worldwide protests through internet message forums and blogs scheduled for today.
Demonstrations in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide were promoted from a blog called "anonaustralia" which offered flyers people could download and print to hand out at the demonstration and suggested attendees wear masks.
Protests in Melbourne and Adelaide were scheduled to begin at 2pm local time.
More to come...
Links
Church of Scientology Sydney – http://www.scientology.org.au/
"Anonaustralia" blog – http://anonaustralia.blogspot.com/
International protests against Scientology begin in Australia
Crowd wearing masks demonstrate outside Sydney branch
Technology: Read more news and reviews in our tech section »
A GLOBAL day of protest against the Church of Scientology organised by internet group "Anonymous" began today with demonstrations outside the church's Australian offices.
About 150 people gathered at the Church of Scientology building in the Sydney CBD this morning, most of them carrying pickets and wearing costumes or masks.
At 11am, when the protest was scheduled to start, staff inside the building set up a video camera pointed at the street below and locked the front doors. Two security guards stood outside the building and were later joined by several police officers.
The protestors, who said they had worn masks to remain anonymous and prevent possible legal action or retribution from the church, chanted "Church on the right, cult on the left", "Religion is free" and "We want Xenu".
Related links
Anonymous: Group declares 'war' on Scientology
They also made a reference to Lisa McPherson, the US woman whose death in 1995 while under the care of a branch of the church led to a civil wrongful death lawsuit. Criminal charges filed against the church over Ms McPherson's death were dropped in 2000.
Members of the crowd said they had been told not to use "geek speek" during the protest and to put their message across as clearly as possible. They handed out flyers accusing the church of financially exploiting its followers and suppressing criticism.
NEWS.com.au is awaiting comment from the church's Sydney branch on the protest.
Anonymous, a notorious internet group whose membership includes hackers, last month declared "war" on the church and temporarily prevented access to at least one official Scientology website.
The group also organised worldwide protests through internet message forums and blogs scheduled for today.
Demonstrations in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide were promoted from a blog called "anonaustralia" which offered flyers people could download and print to hand out at the demonstration and suggested attendees wear masks.
Protests in Melbourne and Adelaide were scheduled to begin at 2pm local time.
More to come...
Links
Church of Scientology Sydney – http://www.scientology.org.au/
"Anonaustralia" blog – http://anonaustralia.blogspot.com/