The Internet vs Scientology - Forum Meetup. Edinburgh. Sunday 10th February

[Zippy]

Originally Posted by Largest of Als

If you think harrassing someone for their religious views (whether you take them seriously or not) is fun.. why not take you're protest down to the local mosque.. with the scottish media in tow.. see how much fun you can have there...

I know it's taking a point to an extreme, but I bet some of the people in Germany thought it was 'just a little fun' to protest against the Jews.....


Al

Says Big Al who has made posts/threads about 'tattie-pickers' on at least 3 occassions.

[MarkMono]

Originally Posted by Joe Spinebuster

As this thread rolls on it is increasingly apparent that this is actually just a bunch of dicks from the internet getting drunk together. Not interested. I'd rather go to Alton Towers.

As Les mentioned earlier in the thread, thats what it always was.

Sorry if you feel this excludes you, least you're not Al, he's like this without booze.

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by Potatojunkie

[1]And what a peaceful protest is, for that matter.

From some of the stuff that Canonology is doing, then it does raise the question whether or not it's peaceful protest.

But on the other hand, the Church of Scientology isn't exactly brimming over with ethical behavior either.

[LesMTS]

Originally Posted by Hammer

From some of the stuff that Canonology is doing, then it does raise the question whether or not it's peaceful protest.

But on the other hand, the Church of Scientology isn't exactly brimming over with ethical behavior either.

They are explicitly telling participants that demonstrations are to be peaceful.
In fact, their protest guidelines could not be clearer on the matter:

1 - Strict rules 1&2 ("do NOT talk about /b/"). No memes. No odd clothing, accessories, or large bags.
2 - NO WEAPONS. Nothing that even could be perceived as a weapon, such as a thick picket sign stick.
3 - Don't drink alcohol before picketing. Bring water to drink if it will be a warm day.
4 - If you make your own, make your sign legible from a distance with only a short message. Six or eight inch letters are not too big. Make them sturdy, but light (they get heavy after an hour or more) Don't use metal. It can be considered a weapon. Ideas for construction here.
5 - Stick together. Don't try to show up alone. Find out where to meet everybody else. Carpooling is recommended, which will also reduce the chance of license plate numbers being collected by the church.
6 - Bring cameras. Still, video or whatever. Documentation of the whole thing could prevent some ops by the cult. Bring extra film and batteries. Tape recorders may be handy too. Understand local and state rules about recording someone in public.
7 - Be prepared to be photographed yourself, by the cult and your fellow picketers. Authorities may force you to remove masks, so bring normal sunglasses or hats if this is a problem for you.
8 - Wear good shoes. A few hours on the pavement can be hard on the feet. Remember, picketers have to keep moving, so as not to block traffic. Dress conservatively.
9 - Prepare for a reaction from the cult. They will likely walk alongside you, bullbait you, push your buttons, and report back what you've said. The audience is not these OSA-types. It's the public, the new staff, the townspeople, and perhaps the media. If a Scientologist wishes to talk with you, let them know that you are picketing and if you wish and feel that you are able, you can set a later date to have a conversation. If you do feel that you would like to converse, please step away from the picket line and avoid heated arguments. Understand that a picket is not a shmooz- fest. It is walking with signs in a designated location and handing out literature.
10 - Designate certain people to talk to the media so those who do not wish to speak can suggest a person for the media. Of course you may talk as well, but if you wish you may simply refer them to the proper person.
11 - This is a peaceful, calm picket. There should be no yelling or deliberate confrontation with Scientologists. We are here to voice our concern, not create an incident. If someone confronts you and attempts to goad you into some type of reaction, do NOT react in any way that could even be construed as aggressive. Simply walk away from that person.
12 - Handouts should be short and to the point, preferably one 2-sided sheet of information. If you wish to bring your own do NOT have anything that is other than fair use quotes from Scientology documents and writings for your documentation. Do not bring any flyers that denigrate the religion of Scientology. This is a protest against Scientology actions, it is not a slamfest of their religion.
13. Stay on the public sidewalk. Do not block pedestrian traffic.
14. Bring a garbage bag along for any trash.
15. Locate restrooms nearby ahead of time. Let people know where they are.
16. Have at least one cell phone available, or know where a pay phone is and have change. Have the local police phone number in hand in case you have a non-emergency problem.
17. - We will be on a public sidewalk exercising our Freedom of Speech rights guaranteed by the Constitution. No one but the police can order us to move, to give our name or any private information, or tell us how to picket. If someone demands information from you, you do not have to give it. If someone orders you around (again, other than the police) you do not have to obey. In the United States our Constitution guarantees us the right to express our displeasure in a peaceful, lawful manner.
18. - Contact the local ACLU office. Find out your states laws concerning presenting identification when asked to by officers. Not all states require you to do so.

[¡Punk!]

Originally Posted by LesMTS

It's strictly peaceful. The Scientologists might act like a bunch of freaky weirdos to the protesters (which will be a laugh), apparently in other cities they've got in protesters' faces and asked "what are your crimes?" over and over

I'm so screaming back "rape, murder, arson and rape.... I like rape"

Originally Posted by Posh

I'll respond to that question with a pic of Addy's head on a foetus.

which should made into a banner saying "CoS ate my baby"

[I'm Your God Now]

Originally Posted by LesMTS

They are explicitly telling participants that demonstrations are to be peaceful.
In fact, their protest guidelines could not be clearer on the matter:

1 - Strict rules 1&2 ("do NOT talk about /b/"). No memes. No odd clothing, accessories, or large bags.
2 - ("YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT /b/") No memes. No odd clothing, accessories, or large bags.
3 - Don't drink alcohol before picketing. Bring water to drink if it will be a warm day.

[Dario]

Rules 1, 2, and 3 don't count.

[Potatojunkie]

We're going dressed as the Baseball Furies, right?

[MarkMono]

While I'm happy to show solidarity with the cause of destroying scientology, I will not be governed by their rules.

If anything, I was attacking scientology first.

[LesMTS]

Originally Posted by MarkMono

While I'm happy to show solidarity with the cause of destroying scientology, I will not be governed by their rules.

I was just pointing out the peaceful intentions of the organisers.
Ain't no way I'll be observing rule 3.

[Dario]

Originally Posted by Potatojunkie

We're going dressed as the Baseball Furies, right?

Stop stealing my thoughts, you degenerate. You're as bad as Hubbard.

[I'm Your God Now]

Originally Posted by Dario

You're as bad as Hubbard.

Mother?

[Will_Couper]

Originally Posted by I'm Your God Now

Mother?

Funny turn this thread's taken of a sudden.


Will

[Keerin]

Originally Posted by LesMTS

Nobody's protesting against anyone's religious beliefs. It's the core attitude that's under attack.

Also, it's not an attack on their beliefs, it is a demonstration against the CoS. There are other Scientology organisations who do not make people pay, and who do not murder people and who do not have tax exempt status (in the USA) and who do not take a cut of religious donations. Oh and the other organisations and individuals do not infiltrate the IRS. (info here

It's nothing to do with their "religion", despite constant barrage of Xenu/Xemu images and whatnot floating about. It's more of a stand against their ethical actions and their heavy handed (and dubious, at best) use of copyright laws in relation to the web.

Oh and hi, I'm one of this UGS lot Les was talking about, honestly, Johnny? doesn't post there, I think he is a CoS mole...

I imagine the rules are to stop the n00bs acting the goat and maming a fool of everyone who is there for the real reason nd not to try get into the news or whatever.

I'm sure the people going know their alcohol limits and how to stick to them like responsible adults? right?

[endless psych]

Originally Posted by Keerin

I'm sure the people going know their alcohol limits and how to stick to them like responsible adults? right?

Um... search the site for "subcrawl"...