By NADIA PFLAUM
According to a MySpace message and viral video floating around the ’net, members of “Anonymous” -- a shadowy and slightly over-dramatic protest group -- have been tormenting Tom Cruise and his brethren by hacking into Scientology Web sites in recent weeks. According to the video, narrated in a creepy robot-voice, Anonymous had plans to descend on Scientology headquarters around the country on February 10 at 11 a.m.
Sure enough, large clusters of people in mostly black waved signs at the corner of 39th and Main, near Kansas City’s Scientology office. “Be wary of the 10th of February” is a line from the 2005’s V for Vendetta, and a few of the protesters wore masks depicting the movie’s mustachioed title character. Others wore ski masks and handkerchiefs over their faces. One guy wore shorts despite the searing cold. Police officers sat in a car and watched silently from across the street.
The masks were necessary, someone explained, because the Church was known to retaliate against its detractors by finding their addresses and papering their neighborhoods with fliers making scandalous allegations about them. One older, bearded guy didn’t wear a mask and stood on the street corner puffing brazenly on a cigar. “The reason I don’t have a mask on is that I’m not that worried,” he said. “I know my neighbors. They’re not going to turn against me.”
Some of the signs encouraged passing motorists to honk against Scientology, and there was lots of honking, which seemed to fuel the protesters, as did a case of Red Bull.
Protesters explained to passersby by that they weren’t against anyone’s right to practice their religion, but they disagreed with Scientology’s stance against pharmaceuticals and with their tax-exempt status. Someone noted the irony of an H&R Block office located right next door to the Scientology building.
The guy with the cigar said that he was waiting for someone to come out of the Scientology building, where the Church was supposedly holding “mass.” He said he hadn’t been protesting Scientology very long, but that he knew that representatives of the church sometimes confronted their protesters. “What are your crimes?” He said, “They’ll ask you, ‘What have you done in your life that you have to try to tear down Scientology?’”
Here’s a video of a quick interview with one of the protesters.
After I turned the camera off and thanked him, he said, “I’m pretty sure you’re a Scientologist, but oh well.”
“I’m not a Scientologist,” I told him.
“Yeah,” the guy said, doubtfully. “That’s exactly what a Scientologist would say.”
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I'm not gettiing all the hate guys and gals. Yes the article's a bit rushed. Yes, there are a few bad choices of phrase "Harrass" in particular. But jeez...! she had the good grace (and the balls: in the past journos did get harrassed by Scientologists...Paulette Cooper anyone?) to have actually turned up to cover the story. It might not be the best article she's ever written, but it sure as hell isn't the worst I've ever read.
Oh yeah, and she is pretty hot!
Come again young Nadia, this story is gonna grow and grow, and next time we will have cake too!
Wow, if this is Journalism I am so glad I ditched that train while it still had some paint on it.
Only thing in the entire 'piece' worth reading is the video. Sad day for 'journalism'; maybe you could get a job for Fox news?
Pathetic woman
Hey, come on guys, Nadia was very nice to at least have the courtesy to come out and here our side of the story, and then print it. If she got a movie quote wrong, BFD. Besides, she's hot.
NADIA WHAT THE FUCK?
SERIOUSLY...THAT WAS THE WORST PIECE OF "REPORTING" EVAR had the misfortune to read. There was no actual reporting. HARASS? W.T.F? Picketing is considered Harassment now... a peaceful picket nonetheless.
terryeo would never show at a protest. he's got tory's job now, and is quite tenacious from what i've seen. either way, the C(ult)oS would never let him OUT...geez, look what happened when they let tory see for herself!
The 2/10 is the birthday of the late Lisa McPherson, a victim of the 'church' of $cientology.
Please do more careful research in the future. Also I'm not sure I like your choice of the word 'harass'
Furthermore with regards to V is for Vendetta, dont forget its been adapted to the screen from its original comic book form. The author of the comic book was not at all pleased with the adaptation.
all and all you fail.
It's not journalism, it's a blog. Seriously, Anons, if your gonna complain, at least do it right.
I must say it wasn't that bad, from what I heard it was supposed to be really negative article about us, but I don't think that was the case. And it's understandable to get the movie quote wrong if you didn't like the movie if you ask me. Spelling Lisas name was worse in my opinion, but then again I don't think Nadia has been looking into this since the beginning or anything.
Still, quite alright blog, even if it appears to be a bit rushed.
learn2journalism
did you write this while falling asleep or something?
honestly my high school paper was better. harass? torment? seriously?? also you fail to mention WHY we were there. it makes us seem like we just did it to bother people, which is far from the truth.
Nadia, your complete lack of objectivity is really disheartening. Even if you didn't like the anon that you talked to, you should at least take a minute to look at the larger picture here.
This article really makes it look like you have some kind of personal chip on your shoulder.
just be glad she didn't get any footage of the sci-plants that were shouting really really bad things, they were not masked.
I never asked for a helicopter, I asked for more than a few minutes of research and a decent article. This is a serious, pressing issue and I wish we had more media coverage in KC (i.e. more than 5 minutes with a handheld cam and terrible journalism). Don't quit your day job. Oh wait, do.
Did you bother to even talk to more than the first guy you saw and then do the rest off the top of your head on what you THOUGHT was the story?
This is bad journalism. That is all I am saying, you are not a good journalist. There were protests across the world a few days ago and not one person from anon got in trouble with the police. Everything was legal and you are calling this harassment?
Shame on you
I like how you didn't do any research at all into the crimes of the Church of Scientology. You could have at least had the decency to addess Lisa McPherson.
Locals Harass Scientologists - not very accurate. You should show up for the protest on the 15th but stay for more than 2 min to get an accurate idea of what really happens
So this is all the media coverage we get? Up to 70 people protesting in frigidly cold weather on Main Street, and we get a poorly-written article on the Plog. Thanks for the media blackout, KC. Maybe on the 15th you won't ignore us.
No, Chuck. V For Vendetta was an unbelievably horrible Natalie Portman movie. During the desperately unfunny talk show scene, when the Wachowskis had John Hurt running around to "Yakkity Sax," I was like, Fuck the Wachowskis, fuck V for Vendetta, and fuck fucking movies. From now on, I'm absorbing all my entertainment via Chinese shadow plays. I got over it around the time No Country For Old Men came out, but that was a long dry spell.
Sure, scientology is freaky but the anti-scientology rhetoric is proving to be almost equally so.
maggie, Germany doesn't exactly have the best track record when it comes to religious tolerance.
Guy Fawkes Day (g f�
n.
November 5, observed in England to commemorate the foiling of the attempt led by Guy Fawkes in 1605 to blow up the king and members of Parliament in retaliation for increasing repression of Roman Catholics in England.
Thanks for the story, Nadia, but V for Vendetta was *not* a bad Natalie Portman movie.
Scientology hides behind the label of religion. What religion denies its members proper medical care and demands they disconnect from those who do not agree with its policies and beliefs? I helped some of my family escape the cult by providing shelter and financial support and as a result have not been able to speak to my daughter (who is still a member)for three years! The Co$ is nothing but a mind controlling, brain washing money machine and is no more a religion than Hell's Angels!
Yay Terryeo! Everybody's favorite scientologist and his zany antics! Terryeo likes to go around different comment boards making hateful remarks about anyone who opposes his beloved cult.
Anon 4:57 -
Why don't you do some research and spell Lisa McPherson's name correctly?
There are lots of different reasons picketers were out picketing Scientology on Sunday -- it's estimated that there were over 9000 people in more than 100 actions worldwide.
Scientology's got a laundry list of abuses of people and the law - the lack of informed consent, the lack of financial transparency, the high incidence of cancer among those who hold the e-meter cans for hours on end, the medical claims, the MLM structure, and the written policy of harassing critics and plan to "obliterate psychiatry" instead of addressing their issues are just a few.
Do not make the mistake of thinking it's a harmless nut cult. Germany has already called Scientology a threat to democracy.
Hmm okay. Maybe you're right about that quote. I should brush up on my bad-Natalie-Portman -movie trivia.
But, you know, with the V for Vendetta masks and all, it seemed so right....
I like the fact that the header grabs attention. Hopefully, readers will not be detracted and skip over the article, as it cleary shows that there was no cases of any harassment during the protests. Unfortunately for those readers who decide to read the title and skip the article, they will make an inaccurate assumption to the procedures and goals of said protests.
"�Be wary of the 10th of February� is a line from the 2005�s V for Vendetta"
Um what? It would be nice for a journalist to check their facts once in a while. =(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G...
check your facts before posting.
"Remember, remember the fifth of November"
that is from V for Vendetta.
the 10th was chosen in memory of Lisa McPhearson's birthday.
do a little more research. the info is on the web if you just search google for it.
"Harass"? That some awful strong language for a peaceful protest. You want to see harassment, you should take a look at some of the videos from smaller scientology pickets in the late 90's, in as much as the scientologist were quite actively harassing the protestors.
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