Scientology protest starts in Sydney

Update: Scientology protests start across Australia

A global day of protest against the Church of Scientology 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. It was organised by internet group “Anonymous”.

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”.

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.

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