Sydney: Scientology attempts to disrupt planned protest using human rights front-group

Sydney police have notified protest planners that a Scientology front group may be planning to disrupt a demonstration by “Anonymous” scheduled to occur tomorrow against human rights abuses and harmful practices of the Church of Scientology.

A police contact stated that an application for a protest permit has been lodged by a representative of “Youth for Human Rights Australia,” with the exact same timing and location as the previously planned protest against Scientology’s abuses. The Church of Scientology is the major sponsor of Youth for Human Rights Australia. The new permit suggests approximately 50 people will be involved in the counter-protest.

The Church of Scientology based in Clearwater, Florida recently filed multiple petitions for a temporary injunction to prevent the protests. A judge has since rejected these applications.

Anonymous continues to call for peaceful protest behaviour and individuals have been instructed to comply with all police requests, in the hope that the incident-free record of the February 10 worldwide protests will be maintained.

However, prominent Scientology critic Arnie Lerma has passed on information from a Church of Scientology insider who alleges that a March 11 meeting coordinated by Scientology’s Office of Special Affairs concluded with a plan to provoke a confrontation and choreograph a violent incident. In Los Angeles and Clearwater, Scientologists have been instructed to bring their children to an event coinciding with planned protests at these locations.

“Youth for Human Rights Australia” drew media attention last year when students complained the organization uses deceptive tactics.