Scientology Volunteer Ministers confronted protestors yesterday in Croydon and threatened legal action after their plans to sell booklets to passers-by was disrupted by campaigners calling for an end to abuse in the organisation.
The peaceful demonstration saw a handful of ex-Scientologists and concerned members of the public gather to hand out flyers warning locals of the controversial group, citing a 1984 High Court ruling in which Mr. Justice Latey determined “it is dangerous because it is out to capture people, especially children and impressionable young people, and indoctrinate and brainwash them so that they become the unquestioning captives and tools of the cult, withdrawn from ordinary thought, living and relationships with others.”
Police attending the scene confirmed the Scientologists had made two calls claiming harassment, but determined the demonstration was peaceful. “I don’t think there’s too much need for Police involvement at all” one officer said.
The Volunteer Ministers had set up three yellow marquees outside the Whitgift shopping centre and were offering “Nerve Assists” for those with physical ailments, which they claim “help a person confront physical difficulties”. They were also selling booklets for £4, based on the Scientology Handbook – a collection of L. Ron Hubbard’s writings that cover topics such as communication, how to raise children and ‘having a happy, healthy marriage’.
Protestors observed ten staff members donning Scientology’s famous yellow ‘Volunteer Minister’ t-shirts and two Sea Org staff capturing photos and videos of the event for Scientology Media Productions, the group’s internal propaganda machine. A disclaimer was pinned to one side of the tent, which read:
“Scientology Media Productions will be filming in this area today. By entering this area, you irrevocably consent to and authorize Scientology Media Productions, its successors, assigns and licensees to photograph you and make recordings of your voice and to use said photographs and/or recordings for worldwide exploitation, in perpetuity in any and all media, whether now known or hereafter devised, for any purpose whatsoever. All such photographs and sound recordings shall be the sole property of Scientology Media Productions and you release Scientology Media Productions, its successors, assigns and licensees from any and all claims and liability on account of such usage.
If you do not wish to be subject of the foregoing, please do not enter this area.”
It was not visible when looking directly at the tents, and was only mounted on one side, meaning foot traffic walking in the other direction would not have been aware they could be used in Scientology promotional materials.
Despite Scientology’s own filming of their activities, one Volunteer Minister confronted a protestor who was streaming live on Youtube, exclaiming “I’m going to…. sue you!” while another remarked “your ethics is f**king disgusting.”
The protestors explained they were not opposed to those following Scientology’s belief system, but were against the abusive practices of the organisation, such as its Fair Game and Disconnection policies. One protestor offered the Volunteer Ministers sausage rolls from the nearby Greggs, and later purchased a can of Coke for one of the Sea Org members.
One Croydon resident, who stopped to speak with those demonstrating said “It’s definitely brainwashing. We don’t need Scientology, it’s the last thing we need.” She went on to express concern that Scientology were “on the streets here in Croydon where we’ve got lots of vulnerable families and children.”
A total of three book sales were observed despite the disproportionate number of volunteers, but that didn’t discourage Scientology from utilising the opportunity to create content for use in their promotional materials.
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