Anonymous VS Scientology II
15th March, 2008 – Protest against Scientology, London
To coincide with Scientology founder, L Ron Hubbard‘s birthday, internet-based group Anonymous took to the streets worldwide once again in protest against the so-called religion.
The last protest took place a month ago, in the same locations – outside Church of Scientology buildings.
On the way there:
The first part of the protest took place outside the main Church of Scientology building in Blackfriars.
Quite a few vehicles honked!
Hand-made/written signs make protests so much more interesting I find, unlike mass-printed ones, like these. That shot was actually taken at another protest today – the annual Stop The War demonstration. The turnout is always great, which I guess is the main thing, but originality is definitely lacking! From a photographer’s point of view, it’s really a case of looking around lots to find someone who stands out. Anyway, more on that in another blog.
There was cake! Lots of cake actually.. 
What a lovely bunch of protesters, I have to say. So many of them offered chocolates/cakes/biscuits. One of them told me they were celebrating a “very important birthday” and they then broke out into song, singing Happy Birthday to L. Ron. Hilarious stuff.
You can just about make out a person taking pictures from inside the doors. Interestingly enough, when I asked a volunteer from the Church of Scientology if I could go inside the building to have a look and get more information on them, I was told I couldn’t because the Church had their “focuses elsewhere” today. Charming! However, I can understand they’re probably wary of protesters walking into the building for security purposes.
The all-famous book displayed in the window, which I haven’t read.. yet.
Before dismissing a “religion” completely, I try to read as much about it as possible. I’ve read a lot of the reasons why people are against this “cult” as they put it, which is quite persuasive, I must admit.
The turnout was even better than the previous time they protested.
The policemen did a fab job – they were really amiable and talkative, especially the one above, on the left. I gave him my website, so if you’re reading this Mr. Nice Policeman, hello!
Longcat is loooooong.
People from inside the building obviously found the protest interesting:
Not so anonymous
Full-view:
Unfortunately, I only listened in for a moment.
A policewoman turns down the appealing offer of a Penguin bar! 
The protesters then went to Tottenham Court Road to demonstrate outside the Scientology Centre there.
Full-view this next one to read the text on the jumper, which I didn’t notice when I took the shot.
This woman was yelling something about Japan which I really didn’t understand, and I didn’t ask her to repeat it. I think I was scared, actually.
So, we’ve seen what Anonymous think of Scientology, but what does Scientology think of Anonymous?
Here’s the answer: http://www.anonymous-exposed.org/
In terms of protests, this is definitely the most entertaining and fun one I’ve been to. There was music, dancing, cake (CAKE! I’m still not over this), singing, and a wide variety of masks/signage. In terms of objectives (publicity?), I noticed that in the last protest, no TV coverage was given to the protest. I didn’t see any newspaper coverage given either (at least in the UK), not even in London’s Metro paper, which occasionally brings us stories and pictures of obscure protests. I do wonder why this is. Maybe I’ll write in and ask!
I’m curious to know how the media will pick up on this protest.
36 Responses to Anonymous VS Scientology II
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How do you stay so open minded about things when you’re constantly going to protests and marches?
I’ll tell you why they they’re not covered, it’s because Scientology’s members and leaders would not allow this to happen, it’s even part of their policy to stalk, attack and even kill critics.
Just ask us why we wear masks. ;)
If you want to know what Scientology likes to journalists who dare investigate them honestly, look up the story of Paulette Cooper and the cult’s “Operation Freakout”.
(Short summary: They tried very hard and using very criminal means to frame her for making threats towards them. CoS is now claiming to have received threats from Anonymous. Apparently, they only have that ONE strategy!)
They are freaking the hell out dude, they have NEVER _EVER_ dealt with tens of THOUSANDS of people who wear masks.
Megalulz at the editing in $cientology’s response…
Thank you, Tania-n for your pictures!
I’m the guy with the blue bowtie, we meet at the beggining of the first demonstration.
Hope you had fun and cake! :)
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You have a great camera, and a great eye for using it!
very nice!
Thank you for the photos.
Also, thank you for your open mind. The world needs a lot more of them these days. I’d love to see a balanced debate on this issue, but so far no luck.
Also I’m envious that you guys had good weather.
Hopefully your blog survives an influx of anons, you’ve been linked to, :D
http://tanya-n.com/4chan2/IMG_1334b.jpg
Fucking perfect frame, I’d say. The composition, everyone’s gestures, even down to the color play (love how the polices’ uniform and the protester’s outfit basically consist of black & yellow/green color), everything is damn nice. Well seen and captured!
Your journalistic side is definitely growing better over time, Tanya, it’s been a delight to see that. :)
The website and the video they claim is proof of attacks against them is clearly fabricated, it’s too high resolution and widescreen for it to be a “copy” that they pulled from youtube
Awesome photos – a great record of a great day!
Very nice pictures indeed, I look hot on the one i’m in.
Lisa:
This has only been the 2nd protest in 2 months, while more will come, I doubt you it can be considered as constant, we also have lives that need to be lived and constant picketting is probably not an option.
We stay open minded because we have seen things more horrible than you think, know that they are inevitable, and have been able to keep a great sense of humour, as much about ourselves as about the rest.
While the mocking of the belief may say the opposite, I think “live and let live” applies here, we don’t care about what they want to believe in, to most religious authorities, other religious beliefs are wrong, and Tom Cruise said it himself, the CoS believes itself to be the authority.
I would have preffered the protest to be a bit more exposition oriented, as most of it was flooded by memes and partying. I do not know about the second part as I had to go to work, but I gave to the people with the megaphones a letter from the freezone dating back 1983, explaining how even for scientologists, the so called “Church” was corrupt.
Hey, I’m that girl 5 pics down with the big red “cult” arrow. You got some quality photographs right here :) My favourite is http://tanya-n.com/4chan2/IMG_1315b.jpg, I love the depth of focus and the colours.
Looks like this was a particularly fun protest to cover. Very imaginative and appealing gimmicks (cake!) Lovely photos as usual!
looked fun! I guess I missed out but I wouldn’t make it anyway. I wonder why there’s so much about this cult lately. I wouldn’t even care they existed. maybe its making them slightly more famous. maybe there’s need for a protest. I couldn’t tell.
nice coverage! you’re turning into a regular protest shooter!
WIN. I am in love with these protectors, I wish I could go to one just for the meme luls.
The photographs are AMAZING though, you’ve done a very good job with them~
Aww, sorry. I refused you a photo outside the tube station at the vic protest. I’d just read a sign that said “Anonymous Scifag Spys present” so I was a bit jumpy. If you’re attending future protests feel free to take as many as youw ant.
(I was the guy in the grotesque mask and surgical gloves, leather jacket)
http://tanya-n.com/4chan2/IMG_1450b.jpg
I am in love.
Thank you so much for the wonderful coverage! I’ve sent this ink to many friends and family so they could get an idea of what it was like. I’m glad you had a good time and we will welcome you to any future protests.
Am the guy sitting down… http://tanya-n.com/4chan2/IMG_1424b.jpg
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Thanks once more for the awesome pictures and article.
Now I’ve seen myself in one of those photos, I know who to look out for next time for better posing! ;)
I kicked myself for not getting a good picture of my ‘cake is a lie’ poster, but thank you for putting one up, excellent coverage. :)
There will be more protests.
There will be more cake*.
* Subject to terms and conditions.
great shots and good commentary! keep it up.
Expect us.
beautiful use of dof in many of those!!!!!
well done!
cheers from l.a.!
i sometimes wonder why people protest against scientology. i’m not religious at all, so i could just as easily say EVERY religion deserves to be protested against. the catholic church, for example, has done untold damage to the world in the past several hundred years, and no one mounts any protests against it. my guess is that people protest against scientology because it’s trendy to do so, and cooler and less risky than protesting against the catholic church, because that might offend somoene.
I look at these and in my head i hear Tchaicovski’s 1812 overture playing in my head… cliche i know but that’s just me.
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superkev, Anon protests because CoS is fucking batshit INSANE. It’s a radical mockery of a religion. The Catholic church may have caused more damage than you can shake a shroom at, but they didn’t charge people to follow the religion.
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The link at the end is wrong.
You’ve put in an extra hyphen, the actual link is
http://www.anonymousexposed.org
“Down with this type of thing.” LOL Father Ted must be behind one of the masks.