Clearwater Picket '99
Scientology Hides, Critics have a Party

  In 1975 the Church of Scientology bought the Ft. Harrison Hotel under the guise of "United Churches of  Florida."  Internal church documents from this time discovered after a national FBI raid on Scientology indicate that Scientology planned to control Clearwater and neutralize any group that dared confront them.  In 1982 Clearwater responded with hearings on the Church of Scientology.  Since then, Scientology has gradually built up its property holdings in Clearwater, and now owns at least 39 properties valued at about $40 million, according to Pinellas County records.   The St. Petersburg Times  reported recently that Scientology wants to make Clearwater the "first Scientology city." 

   A group of critics and ex-members of Scientology have organized demonstrations in Clearwater since 1996.  This was our 5th event.  This time we held a free workshop for the public on Scientology/Clearwater relations.   Speakers included Gabe Cazares (former mayor of Clearwater), Ken Dandar (attorney for Lisa McPherson's estate),  ex-Scientologists from Clearwater and elsewhere, and information on other communities with similar experiences to Clearwater's interaction with Scientology.  We concluded with suggestions for dealing with a cult in your community's midst.

   Our conference was free and open to the public. 

      At 7pm we held a candlelight vigil in memory of Lisa McPherson at the Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church, just north of the Ft. Harrison Hotel where Lisa was held in her last days.   This was also open to the public and attended by about 100 people, including McPherson's family.

  
Downtown Clearwater (red properties belong to Scientology. Based on information from www.mapquest.com, , , and newspaper articles.  Please send any corrections to Jeff Jacobsen)

examples of community/cult relations in the U.S. Scientology and Clearwater timeline Rajneesh and Wasco County Oregon timeline Mother Thomas and Miracle Valley Arizona timeline University of Bridgeport and the Moonies

Scientologists surround protesters with their signs & taunt them, March '97

"This 25th year of the presence of Scientologists in Clearwater can be celebrated as the year the occupation was completed.  I don't exaggerate when I say that this is an occupation."  Gabe Cazares, former mayor of Clearwater

For Further Information: seized Scientology documents excellent site for Scientology information xenu-city.net lisamcpherson.org 1982 Clearwater Hearings previous Clearwater pickets Holiday Inn Location Scientology prepares for picketers Lisa McPherson Trust contact us

site created by Jeff Jacobsen
last update 12/11/99