14th June, 2008 – Protest against Scientology, London
So it’s already the 5th month that Anonymous have been protesting globally against Scientology. Each month the demonstrators pick an aspect of Scientology that they disagree with, and this month’s campaign was called Operation Sea Arrgh, in response to Scientology’s Sea Org.
Naturally, this was a perfect excuse to dress up as pirates.
At last month’s protest, a demonstrator known as Epic Nose Guy was given a court summons for failing to remove a sign that depicted Scientology as a cult – http://tanya-n.com/4chan4/IMG_2597.jpg. The Crown Prosecution Service ruled that the word “cult” was “neither abusive or insulting” with no further action taken. He turned up again and was pursued by the “pros”.
It was amusing really – they told him exactly where to stand, to tilt his sign and to look towards the Church of Scientology building. The photographer in the foreground below then took around 20 pictures using burst mode (why?) from various angles.
The demonstrators took full advantage of their freedom to call Scientology a cult! Just in case you missed it:
As ever, these protests are amusing, although becoming a tad monotonous. I wonder if the demonstrators plan to mix things up and maybe do something a little different to perhaps gain a bit more publicity? Alas, I won’t be around for the July one, but I’ll be looking out for the pictures!
I’ll end with a shot I took just after I left the protest, of a very kind man, who randomly decided to call me a “terrorist” and “Taliban”, and to go back to my country 
A tad confused, I turned around and asked him to repeat what he said, and he did. He wasn’t drunk and didn’t appear to be on drugs – in fact, he was speaking with a slight accent (somewhat ironic) and quite eloquently. He carried on ranting at me so naturally, I took a snap.
Clearly camera-shy, but not shy to air his racist thoughts.
I didn’t feel threatened at all by his stupidity – in fact I found his comments hilarious and yet infuriating. I told him to stop being so ignorant and that this *is* my country. Sad, really. My first experience of racist abuse!
———
February – http://tanya-n.com/?p=104
March – http://tanya-n.com/?p=107
April – http://tanya-n.com/?p=110
May – http://tanya-n.com/?p=114
May 10, 2008
Anonymous Protest against Scientology – Operation Fair Game Stop
Another month, another Anon protest. As the title suggests, this demonstration against the Church of Scientology focused on the fair game policy.
If you’ve been following my blogs, or are generally internet-savvy, you’ll know what these protests have been about. If you don’t have a clue, feel free to check out my previous posts on this subject:
February – http://tanya-n.com/?p=104
March – http://tanya-n.com/?p=107
April – http://tanya-n.com/?p=110
The protest seemed to be just like the last three, with one notable exception.
The police were giving out warnings to those carrying signs depicting Scientology as a cult, claiming it is an offence under Section 5 of the Public Order act of 1986.
Full view the following to read the warning in full. Next to it is the ‘insulting’ sign.
Those not adhering to the warning, who continue to use the signs would be summoned to court, and that’s exactly what happened to this guy. I should point out that the Church of Scientology complained about the signs portraying them as a cult, which is what lead to these warnings being issued. I’m really curious as to what the outcome of this will be.
This guy was using a nifty monocular to try and see what was going on in the building.
Run Anon girl, run!
By complete coincidence, the bar next door to the Church of Scientology (COS) building is called the Cos Bar. Strange, that!
Full-view:
Me!
Once again, demonstrating my elite self portrait skills!
The protesters left their base outside the Church of Scientology in Blackfriars, and just like with the previous protests, headed over to Tottenham Court Road to demonstrate outside the Dianetics Centre.
It was incredibly amusing seeing the group on the Tube, playing Rick Astley and Chocolate Rain, and proclaiming loudly.
Not impressed:
Once out of the Underground, I stupidly forgot to change the ISO, so some of the following look rubbish as I was shooting in sunshine at 1600. Clever stuff.
This passer-by decided to make a statement of his own:
Unfortunately it resulted in him getting arrested.
A bit harsh, I’d say!
He gave me one of those Mudkip cards 
I’ll end with a couple of snaps I took at the Cans Festival, where Anon occupied a little space of their own.
Sorry about the inconsistent fonts – I’m using an upgraded WordPress and something is a bit screwed up!
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