On April 12th 2008, the internet based activist group known as "Anonymous" will be picketing Church of Scientology centres worldwide. The aim of these demonstrations, entitled "Operation Reconnect", will be to bring the Church's policy of Disconnection into the public domain.
Disconnection is a term applied by the Church of Scientology that forbids Scientologists to have any contact with people deemed by the Church to be "antagonistic".
What does this mean? It means that if you criticise the Church of Scientology, all active Scientologists will be forbidden to have contact with you, regardless of whether you are family, friend, colleague or stranger. This policy breaks families apart and ruins lives. The "Church" has said they no longer practice. In truth, they simply no longer write disconnection letters. Policy itself remains basically unchanged. Those who leave Scientology are told by their parents, children, friends still inside that they are "disconnecting" from them, i.e. having no further contact.
The Auckland protest will be held in two stages - from 11:00 am until 12:30 pm at or near the Britomart and, from 1:- ? near the Church of Scientology offices in Panmure. Some protestors will undoubtedly remain near Britomart longer. In Wellington, the protestors will meet in front of the Burger King at Manners St/Cuba mall. The Christchurch protest will meet in The Square.
Most protesters will wear masks, scarves and other facial obstructions to protect their identity due to Scientology's policy of defaming and harassing its critics. This policy, called "fair game" in a 1967 letter sent by church founder L. Ron Hubbard, has led to the stalking and harassment of critics like Emmy award-winning filmmaker Mark Bunker and BBC journalist John Sweeney.
Anonymous formed on Internet message boards and has grown rapidly to incorporate people from all walks of life. It includes professionals, students and ex-Scientologists.
The group's first previous protest on 15 March drew approximately 9,000 people in about 100 cities across the globe to demonstrate peacefully in front of their local Scientology centres.
The latest video with New Zealand times and locations is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IwgZHaaRY0
For additional information about the Church of Scientology and Anonymous' global protests,
http://www.goanonymous.org
http://www.enturbulation.org
http://www.xenutv.com
http://www.exscientologykids.com/admins.html
Disconnection is a term applied by the Church of Scientology that forbids Scientologists to have any contact with people deemed by the Church to be "antagonistic".
What does this mean? It means that if you criticise the Church of Scientology, all active Scientologists will be forbidden to have contact with you, regardless of whether you are family, friend, colleague or stranger. This policy breaks families apart and ruins lives. The "Church" has said they no longer practice. In truth, they simply no longer write disconnection letters. Policy itself remains basically unchanged. Those who leave Scientology are told by their parents, children, friends still inside that they are "disconnecting" from them, i.e. having no further contact.
The Auckland protest will be held in two stages - from 11:00 am until 12:30 pm at or near the Britomart and, from 1:- ? near the Church of Scientology offices in Panmure. Some protestors will undoubtedly remain near Britomart longer. In Wellington, the protestors will meet in front of the Burger King at Manners St/Cuba mall. The Christchurch protest will meet in The Square.
Most protesters will wear masks, scarves and other facial obstructions to protect their identity due to Scientology's policy of defaming and harassing its critics. This policy, called "fair game" in a 1967 letter sent by church founder L. Ron Hubbard, has led to the stalking and harassment of critics like Emmy award-winning filmmaker Mark Bunker and BBC journalist John Sweeney.
Anonymous formed on Internet message boards and has grown rapidly to incorporate people from all walks of life. It includes professionals, students and ex-Scientologists.
The group's first previous protest on 15 March drew approximately 9,000 people in about 100 cities across the globe to demonstrate peacefully in front of their local Scientology centres.
The latest video with New Zealand times and locations is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IwgZHaaRY0
For additional information about the Church of Scientology and Anonymous' global protests,
http://www.goanonymous.org
http://www.enturbulation.org
http://www.xenutv.com
http://www.exscientologykids.com/admins.html
