June 26, 1999
Picket report; Atlanta, Georgia
From: wynot-you@arscc-atl.com
Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology
Subject: Picket Report; Atlanta, June 26, 1999
Date: Sun, 27 Jun 1999 16:52:46 GMT
Message-ID: <3776438e.72106743@news.mindspring.com>
Ethercat and I arrived at the cult's storefront about 11:30. We
didn't see Mad_Cow, so we decided to grab some munchies from the
nice folks at the St.Louis Bread Co. next door. As usual, the food
was swell, and the cappucino as good as could be. We stepped out on
their porch, and saw that Mad_Cow had arrived, and already started
picketing. We waved to let him know that he was not alone, and
chowed down our food quickly.
By the time we joined Mad_Cow on the picket line, he had already had
5 or 6 acks from the passing traffic, with no action from the
culties. There were 11 cars in the lot.
We had the usual picket signs; scam, banned in Greece, UFO cult and
harrasses critics. 'Scam' and 'UFO cult' seemed to get the most
honks and waves from the traffic, with 'banned in Greece' a close
third.
About half an hour in, Bubbles came out to take our pictures with
her little camera. She went back in immediately, without even saying
hello. One might expect more from someone who had visited us at our
home...
Twice, people drove in, and we felt poor for a moment because there
went someone we had not been able to warn - but they immediately
turned around and pulled over to the Bread Co. Then we didn't feel
so badly... One woman pulled in and rolled her window down to speak
with us. I told her they did not want us on their property, and she
said she understood, and just wanted to thank us for what we were
doing. After she turned around, she spoke some more to EC and me.
"Those people took over my hometown, and ruined it!" She told us.
"You're from Clearwater?" we asked, ans she said "Yes, and I am so
glad to see you out here. Thank you.".
We continued to get waves and honks and shouts of encouragement from
the passing cars. After an hour, we had already received over 40.
Nobody came out from the storefront to handle us; no John, no Susan,
no Linda. No visit from the local police,either. One greasy looking
fellow did come out and giggle at us while sitting on the gate of a
light pick-up. I'm not sure what he was giggling at, but he kept it
up for a while. He reminded me of that character in Of Mice and Men.
Maybe tone-giggle is a new tech they are trying? It did not seem to
have any effect. Those tinfoil hats really seem to protect against
intention beams, even when we aren't wearing them!
A little before 1:00 (2300), Ethercat and I decided to give it a
rest, and go have a Coke next door. Mad_Cow wanted to give it a
little longer, to see if they would try anything while he was alone.
As we were sitting and enjoying our Cokes, a bi Cadillac filled with
senior citizens pulled in. They got out, and stood their for several
minutes looking at Mad_Cow, and talking. Ethercat heard one of them
say "He sure has nerve.". "They aren't a real church, they just cll
themselves one to get tax exemption" Ethercat told them. They said
they knew, and they were admiring him for his courage. We had to
agree.
Later, over a wonderful steak dinner with Mad_Cow and his lovely
wife, we agreed that it was a little less exciting than our last
picket, but still quite pleasant. We ended with nearly 60
acknowledgements for the randomly passing traffic - likely more
people than have ever been in their building... The word is
definitely getting around.
'Til next time;
Wynot
> Greece
Agence France Presse reports that a Greek court has upheld the
closing of Scientology in that country.
"A court of appeal in Greece has upheld a decision to close the
Greek branch of the Church of Scientology, and accused it of
'brain-washing' members, a legal source said Wednesday. The Greek
Scientology branch known as the KEPHE, (i.e 'centre for applied
philosophy') found guilty of proselytism, submitting its members to
brain-washing and extorting money from them. The verdict affirmed a
January decision. The prosecution was brought by Athens' most senior
politician. A petition demanding the group be outlawed attracted
4,000 signatures, including parents of KEPHE members."
Message-ID:
Message-ID:
