Talk:Scientology protest group celebrates founder's birthday worldwide

Just to Clear something up
The news article currently states that "The global protests started in Australia..." However, do not forget that New Zealand kicked off this world wide protest. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 123.243.80.142 (talk) 04:05, 17 March 2008 (UTC)

Coordination page created
I have created Wikinews:Story Preparation/Wikinews international report: "Anonymous" celebrates L. Ron Hubbard's birthday/Coordination to organixe the coverage. It is moved from skenmys userspace. --Anonymous101 Talk 17:47, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Semi-protect?
So will this be semi-protected soon? Cirt - (talk) 08:14, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Live updates
I will obviously not be able to edit Wikinews from the protest but I will be posting live updates at feed://www.mailinator.com/rss.jsp?email=jw-protestcoverage. Please note that any updates from me will have (email address removed to stop spammers)@googlemail.com : Wikinews Protest coverage as the post title. Any other message titles will mean the message is nnot from me. --Anonymous101 (talk &middot; contribs) 08:29, 15 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Note that the feed has now been emptied due to the automatic deletion of posts after a few hours. If you want to see my posts click here. --Anonymous101 (talk &middot; contribs) 16:42, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Note
(I also added this to the top of the article, commented out.)

NOTE: Please DO NOT contribute original reporting about a particular protest if you have attended that protest in the capacity of a participant. Please only contribute to this article if you attended a protest solely in the capacity of reporting on that event, or if you did not attend a protest at all feel free to contribute material from secondary sources. Thank you.

Cirt - (talk) 08:52, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

OR Notes for Manchester
I got most of the information from the event but the part saying " Members of Anonymous have told Wikinews that some of their members started attending bars in the surrounding area at approximately 09:00 UTC." is from info i gathered on the Manchester protests IRC. DESPITE MY USER NAME I HAVE NO LINK WITH ANONYMOUS. --Anonymous101 (talk &middot; contribs) 09:18, 15 March 2008 (UTC)
 * I would love to help you with Manchester but I think it would be a conflict of interest. -Shifty looks- Fallen-Griever - (talk) 23:58, 15 March 2008 (UTC)
 * I was at the protest and did two headcounts - the first at 11pm, was about 150 people. The second at 1pm, was about 190 people - can someone change the figure of 100 listed in the article. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 130.88.91.224 (talk) 11:42, 17 March 2008 (UTC)

Note re: sources at Wikipedia
Note: You may be able to find additional (or perhaps the same) secondary sources related to this event, at w:Template:Project Chanology protests, March 15, 2008, and/or that page's talk page, as well. Cirt - (talk) 09:22, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Seattle protest coverage
I am preparing right now to head down to the Seattle Center this morning, with a digital camera and a notebook to document the local protest. Is there anything that I need to know before I go? (I assume that I'm too new here to get any sort of press credential,) --RoninBK - (talk) 11:04, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

images
Although my camera is broken, I am working to get photos for the Mancheter protests. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Anonymous101 (talk • contribs) 14:34, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

London Media
I've thrown some images from the 15th into the London image category over on the commons, and I'll start throwing some content at the page soon. Still, if anyone wants to get cracking, there's some decent enough pictures in there to get started with.--JamesHarrison - (talk) 18:27, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Global speech
Available here: http://forums.enturbulation.org/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=5709&sid=085c5fe376455c6e5698596adfe8e82d

--Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 20:23, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

"Today - the Ides of March - is the day Julius Caesar was betrayed by those he trusted. Today we gather together as Anonymous to call attention to another betrayal of trust - that of the Church of Scientology upon its followers. Since its inception, Scientology has traded in false hopes and promises, betrayed the trust of its members, taken their money, their rights, and at times their very lives. The Church has - and continues - to lie to them and the world. The Church betrays its members when secrets harvested from spiritual counselling are used against them as blackmail and evidence in court. The Church betrays its members when they demand members disconnect from family and friends who question the church. The Church betrays its members when they discourage the taking of prescribed psychiatric medications, a practice which has led to a number of shocking murders and suicides. In the month since our first worldwide protest, there is a new public consciousness about the crimes of the Church! We have seen an unprecedented flood of Scientologists join with us across the world to testify about these abuses. To the Scientologists who fear us: You have nothing to fear from our peaceful protests. We are here because we CARE about you. We demonstrate only against the abuses of the Church management and we stand by your individual freedom of religion.

We urge you, Scientologists, to re-examine the facts you have been told. How is your money spent? Why does your leader, David Miscavige, demand so much of it? WE have our OWN Miscavige – Jenna Miscavige Hill, David’s niece, who stands with us today. Your anti-psychiatry front group, the Citizens' Commission on Human Rights, is led by Bruce Wiseman. WE also have our own Wiseman – his daughter Kendra Wiseman. They have joined the voices of other ex-Scientologists whose stories of abuses have been lone voices in the wilderness for too long.

We Anonymous, wait for the day when, like the Berlin Wall, the wall of silence around the LIES of the Church of Scientology will fall. Like the East German government of the past, the Church of Scientology has its own secret service to spy on its own members and outside critics. It encourages its own members to betray others for being “out ethics”. It blackmails members. It commits atrocities through the operation of church prisons and slave camps, under the guise of the "Rehabilitation Project Force." Members of the Sea Org have been forced into accepting abortions against their wishes. "Upstat", privileged members have abused women and children with impunity. And the Church has attacked its enemies with frivolous lawsuits, harassment, kidnappings, and countless suspicious deaths.

This world holds no place for organized crime perpetrated on this scale. Last month ten thousand people demonstrated in one hundred and seven cities across the world. They came together to make the first breach in the wall of silence. Today we are on the streets again, our numbers ever-increasing - and we will come again in April - in May - in June - and July. We will come until that wall of silence is RUBBLE!

We are Anonymous. We are legion. Expect us!"

Server seems to be crashing. --Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 21:25, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

New Orleans
The New Orleans entry is very POV ("Scifags") and should be removed immediately. I'd do it myself, but I don't want to be banned for blanking.--75.67.24.169 21:18, 15 March 2008 (UTC)


 * You can "hide" stuff without removing it like this: . If you edit in good faith and provide an edit summary explaining your motives, you won't get blocked. --Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 21:24, 15 March 2008 (UTC)


 * The person who wrote this section was at the protest and wrote it in a first person point of view. Obviously, this is not NPOV or the proper writing style for Wikinews. I've cleaned it up as much as possible by changing the format of the text to quotes. Since this is a quotation and not a statement, I believe this should be considered NPOV now, and as such, I've removed the NPOV warning tag. This is my first time editing Wikinews, so I hope I have followed proper procedure, if not, feel free to retag NPOV. 68.14.34.153 02:28, 16 March 2008 (UTC)


 * Someone restored NPOV without discussing it. I have registered here to restore the New Orleans article, but given that I am a new member, I cannot yet edit the article because it's locked. Someone should restore the New Orleans article with the neutral text I have provided below. Darcagn - (talk) 06:11, 18 March 2008 (UTC)

"The first protesters arrived at the Scientology and Dianetics building in New Orleans at 11:00 a.m. A police officer was already on the scene, anticipating the protest. The police officer was friendly and helped the protesters know the local laws for protesting in the area. He informed the protesters that they were not able to protest on the Scientologists' side of the street, but were able to do so on the median.

More protesters arrived within the next hour. During that time, the police officer informed the protesters who wore dust masks that this is illegal under city ordinances, but gave permission to quickly conceal the face in the event that the Scientologists tried to take photographs of them.

There was a confrontation between the protesters and a Scientologist member in a van, who blocked traffic in an effort to harass the protesters. The officer honked his horn to signal that Scientologist must not block the street, so she pulled around to a U-turn spot to further speak with the protesters. As she was still blocking the street, the police officer pulled behind her to signal that she must continue travelling. She claimed to the officer that the protesters were being obscene to her and her daughter, but the officer, having been present, dismissed her false accusations and once again signalled for her to continue driving. As she left the scene, she drove down the street where some members of Anonymous were getting materials from their car. At this point she started to harass the members, and she insisted on remaining next to their car. Fearful for the car's safety, the Anonymous member moved it closer to within sight of the protest.

The reception from the city was warm; there were many honks from the horns of passing vehicles. Pedestrians and streetcar riders were given fliers. Cake was distributed to the protesters and offered to the police officer, who had to decline because he was on duty. Around 1:45 p.m., a public transit officer arrived, and, despite earlier claims from the other police officer that it was permissable to protest on the median, the officer claimed Anonymous members were disrupting the streetcar line and would have to move to the sidewalk. At this point the protesters ended their protest and went to an after party. There were in total seventeen protesters."

Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne Anon Blog: http://phobicmedia.com/?p=14 58.168.164.75 11:18, 17 March 2008 (UTC) YouTube videos: There are 5 clips that make up the video and they are listed here: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=D8FB8E0217253C64 Also the video is believed to be being uploaded to Blip.Tv for download, the URL is http://annonmelb.blip.tv/ - Protesters say it should be online within 2 hours. 58.168.164.75 05:48, 17 March 2008 (UTC) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4nrVYzSeoY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJhmJyup2fo —Preceding unsigned comment added by 60.242.38.36 (talk) 01:42, 16 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Melbourne Anonymous have released a 40 minute hightlight clip on youtube

Two nonviolent protestors arrested by DeKalb County police in Atlanta, Georgia
This is newsworthy, and this should be covered. Cirt - (talk) 03:02, 16 March 2008 (UTC)
 * 1) Atlanta Scientology Protest March 15-anons arrested
 * 2) Riot Police Arresting "Anonymous Leader" in Atlanta
 * Alt.religion.scientology threads on the incident:
 * 1) *Atlanta arrests on video
 * 2) *Jackbooted thugs in Atlanta
 * 3) *Extremely suspicious police behavior in Atlanta
 * 4) Enturbulation.org thread: Atlanta, Georgia part deux - Southern Inhospitality
 * 5) Top of Digg.com right now, with over 1,000 Diggs

Austin Tx
Hey if anyone from austin is editing this, lets get some austin tx info up —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.25.136.219 (talk) 04:00, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

"Operation Reconnect" planned for April 12, 2008
This has been reported in secondary sources that are also reporting on the March 15, 2008 protests, so it should be given a sentence or two in this article. Cirt - (talk) 04:07, 16 March 2008 (UTC)
 * 1) YouTube video: Operation Reconnect April 12th
 * 2) YouTube video: Operation Reconnect

"Anonymous" members arrested, lawsuits pending against police in multiple states in U.S.
Apparently at least one member of Anonymous was arrested in California, and there are also reports that members of Anonymous are planning lawsuits against Police Departments in Orlando, Florida and DeKalb County, Georgia, due to alleged misconduct by the police at the March 15, 2008 protests. Also heard reports that members of Anonymous are in contact with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) about this. More information and sources to come - it is also likely that this will get coverage soon in secondary sources. Cirt - (talk) 09:29, 16 March 2008 (UTC)
 * See also article in development - Protesters arrested at anti-Scientology event in Atlanta - Cirt - (talk) 09:29, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

Secondary source coverage

 * Ah, nevermind, this wasn't related to the above issue, though could be a mention in this article. Cirt - (talk) 10:04, 16 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Ah, nevermind, this wasn't related to the above issue, though could be a mention in this article. Cirt - (talk) 10:04, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

Manchester pics
I've one full-resolution pic uploaded so far http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Anonflag_manchester.jpg

There's a lot of unsorted 1024x768 pics at http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii282/technicalfool/anon_15032008/

I'll get me some broadband and upload whatever pics people think are suitable at full resolution. They'll be multi license CC/Copyleft/Attrib required. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Technicalfool (talk • contribs)

München Germany
I have these Soundfiles i made in Munic. (all in german)
 * [[Image:Scientology-Protest-Munic-polizei.ogg]]
 * [[Image:Scientology-Protest-Munic-anwohner.ogg]]
 * [[Image:Scientology-Protest-Munic-Anon1.ogg]]

Munic started at about 11:00 on Fendstraße/Leopoldstraße and lasted till 17:30. There Where about 30 Members of Anonymous. 2 Policemen in Uniform and at least 2 Policemen in plain clotes. Members of Scientology were not allowed to take pictures of the protestors Masks were not allowed but used for posing for photographs. The protesors were handing out cake to pedestrians. The members of the CoS were not able to give me an interview for about 2 hours, because there was no clearance from the headquater as i understand.

Place:

I would be happy, if someone could integrate this in the article. Photos will follow in a few minutes.Elvis - (talk) 13:45, 16 March 2008 (UTC) Elvis - (talk) 14:00, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

Tustin California
There are about 25 protesters outside the Church of Scientology in Tustin, Southern California. This author is also a protester, providing source materials for reporters.

The church hired at least one photographer waiting on the way to the church, to deter protesters. Sprinklers were turned on repeatedly to discourage attendance. The numbers were way up than the few protesters on February 10. A large tour bus with all curtain drawn was seen entering the church. This is a common way of the church to avoid staffs and church goers to see the protest in progress. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Wknon (talk • contribs) 20:16, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

More news for Tustin/Irvine, CA from another protester: Scientologists drove in circles around the site of the protests. What appeared to be a husband and wife team (?) took numerous snapshots of the protesters. Another camera guy kept coming out of the org and the protesters posed for a group picture. They were non-confrontational and somewhat afraid of my video camera. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.194.81.192 (talk) 03:50, 17 March 2008 (UTC)

Austin update
we've got lots of pictures and videos if you want to add

http://s249.photobucket.com/albums/gg225/anonymousguyfalkes/

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=0C1DA9F0E59879A2

playlist, 9 videos

Anonymousguyfalkes - (talk) 04:13, 17 March 2008 (UTC)

Columbus, Ohio
About 80 people showed up in Columbus. People may be interested to know that [mailto:hzachariah@dispatch.com a reporter] for The Columbus Dispatch implied that Anonymous protesters were interested in Hitler. Here is the story. I suspect that the CoS is responsible for that propaganda, as there is no evidence AFAIK that would connect Anonymous protesters with Hitler.--Sandman3000 - (talk) 16:26, 17 March 2008 (UTC)

Plymouth images
Images provided via photosubmission: commons:Category:2008-Plymouth_"Anonymous"_anti-Scientology_protests Platonides - (talk) 22:00, 17 March 2008 (UTC)

Title
Are they really "celebrating" LRH's birthday? Wouldn't "mark" be the more appropriate verb for the article title? --SVTCobra 01:39, 18 March 2008 (UTC)
 * It'd be best not to change the title this long after it was published, imo. Cirt - (talk) 02:21, 18 March 2008 (UTC

I DESERVE CREDIT!!!
i TOOK THE NY NY PHOTOS AND SOMEONE ELSE IS GETTING CREDIT... CORRECT THIS!!!!Rankun - (talk) 17:33, 23 March 2008 (UTC)

Why was it reverted?
Hi,

I added a section for Portland, OR on 16 March. Just after this edit someone reverted mine and a lot of other previous work. Why? Could my section at least be reinserted? This makes no sense and seems kind of negligent. -Ben pcc - (talk) 19:47, 28 March 2008 (UTC)

New York photos
Change each of the six New York city photographs in the format "3-15 NYC x.JPG" to "3-15 anti-Scientology protest NYC x.JPG" for the copy on Commons and then speedily delete the local copies as now on Commons. Adambro (talk) 12:45, 25 May 2008 (UTC)
 * ✅. Cirt (talk) 12:50, 25 May 2008 (UTC)

Typo
editprotected 'eigth' => 'eight' Van der Hoorn (talk) 15:34, 10 March 2009 (UTC)


 * ✅ ♪Tempo di Valse ♪ 19:33, 10 March 2009 (UTC)


 * It should be changed to 'eight', not 'eighth'. :) Van der Hoorn (talk) 21:50, 10 March 2009 (UTC)


 * Oops! Thanks. Looks like I managed to get it now. ♪Tempo di Valse ♪ 22:13, 10 March 2009 (UTC)

Another typo
editprotected "Febraury" => "February" Van der Hoorn (talk) 12:58, 16 March 2009 (UTC)


 * ✅ ♪Tempo di Valse ♪ 16:48, 16 March 2009 (UTC)