Masked protesters target Scientology's 'tactics'

[Bravo Zulu]

Masked protesters target Scientology's 'tactics'
40 to 50 join global action, gather outside South Side office
Monday, February 11, 2008
By Jerome L. Sherman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

One side of East Carson Street had members of a "violent cult." The other side had "cyber-terrorists, communists and religious bigots."
At least, that's how the opposing groups saw each other.
Despite frigid weather, 40 to 50 people -- many concealing their identities with plastic masks, wigs and sunglasses -- gathered in the South Side across from the Church of Scientology's small Pittsburgh office yesterday afternoon, just as similar protests against the controversial religious movement were taking place in cities across the globe.

The protesters had been inspired by "Anonymous," a murky group of computer experts who accuse Scientologists of trying to suppress the spread of negative information about their actions on the Internet, including a recent video of actor Tom Cruise, the church's most prominent member.
"This whole thing started as a free speech issue," said Glenn Willen, 22, a recent graduate of Carnegie Mellon University who now works for Google.

Mr. Willen was one of the few protesters willing to reveal his name, although he said he wasn't "necessarily" a member of Anonymous. Others donned Guy Fawkes masks -- as in the movie "V for Vendetta" -- to hide their faces, claiming the church has a history of intimidating its critics.

There were only a few people inside the Scientology office, including two Pittsburgh police officers watching the protesters. No one would speak on the record.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08042/856555-85.stm

[mainegreen]

1. Good.

[madrchsod]

2. more from boing boing

http://www.boingboing.net/2008/02/10/anonymous-vs-sciento.html
Anonymous vs. Scientology protest in LA today - Boing Boing