Group pickets Scientology

Tustin Protesters, some in masks, stood on a busy corner on a warm day Saturday to hold up signs outside the Church of Scientology in Tustin.

About 15 people at Red Hill and Irvine Boulevard spread their message against the church.

The church released a statement about Anonymous, the group that has been planning monthly protests against the church through online message boards and YouTube since January.

The statement said: “The Church does not respond to hate-speak or anti-religious and violence-inciting statements originated by various blogs, newsgroups or anti-religious web-sites.”

Protester Susan Elliott, who has attended demonstrations in Los Angeles and Orange County, said the group had been “unbelievably peaceful.”

Many of the demonstrators, who said they fear retaliation from the church, wore masks, such as the one in the movie “V for Vendetta.” A couple wearing medical masks said they had been followed to their car after previous protests in Tustin.

A portable CD player blasted Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” also used in “V for Vendetta,” and protesters danced while passersby honked their horns.

Marie Murillo, director of special affairs for the Church of Scientology of Orange County, said the church was ignoring the protesters but is “definitely open to honest communication.” “You want to know about Scientology, ask a Scientologist.”

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Tags: anti-psychiatry, Church of Scientology, cult, hate group, Quackery, religious cult, Scientology