======== Subject: Protest & Vigil, FCDC, 4 Dec 1999 - Preliminary Report From: Nuke Date: 4 Dec 1999 18:29:18 -0800 Message-ID: <82cilu$7sr@drn.newsguy.com> Location: Founding Church of Scientology, Washington, D.C. Times: 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM, 6:15 PM - 7:00 PM Participants: Bunny, Flash45, Nuke and __?__ I arrived at 2:30 PM, to find Flash, Bunny and __?__ already picketing. There were 2 body reggers out at that point, pushing the "Personality Test." I took up my usual corner between R Street and Conn. Ave., to the tune of many car honks and pedestrians saying "HONK, HONK." A few minutes later, I saw that __?__ was toting a sign that read "Honk if Scientology Sucks." Bunny and Flash were toting signs from prior actions, such as "L.Ron Hubbard, Psychotic Con Man," and were distributing a one page, double sided leaflet with "Scientology: It's Worse than you think" at the top. My own signs were the two wheel inserts (courtesy OTVIII, CW '98) which read "Doubt is the beginning of wisdom," and "Freedom rings where opinions clash", along with a pole mounted sign on my crutch holder. It read "Scientology: A Clear Rip-off" and "Scientology: Your Tax $$ for fraud" with "Criminally Convicted Tax Exempt Cult" for a border. I distributed all 100 4 page "A Scientology Critics Guide to Internet/web Resources by 3:15 PM. Lots of the locals turn them down now, usually saying things like "Thanks for being out here...I've got your pamphlet already and have distributed it at (work, to friends, at church)." It took about 25 minutes after my arrival before the org sent a gal over to 'my corner' to handout the latest, greatest Lerma DA flier that OSA had ginned up. She ignored me for a while, but I did get a chance to tell her that when she was ready to leave scientology, I would always be ready to help. I was just a bit pre-occupied at my corner until I ran out of pamphlets. I then headed across to the front of the org. Went on a little photo-op tour. Matt Bratschi came down by the R street entrance to their parking lot, where I was taking a few pics with my "recyclable" camera. We talked for a bit (I owe him an HCOPL reference, now). We exchanged pics...Matt was definitely looking good in a white "Nehru" collar shirt and gray overcoat, and I told him so. We parted, as always on amicable terms. I continued my photo tour. If they come out, perhaps they will get posted to ABS. During afternoon course break, I took a number of pics. One gray-haired man who was out smoking on the front steps of the org came over to me. He had an interesting line about D.C. having laws about taking pics of people. I replied, "Millions of tourists take pictures in D.C every year." He objected so strongly, even though I told him I was shooting the balconey, not the front steps, that as I continued on my photo rounds, and he headed back into the org, I said "when I get these developed, if you are in any, I will mail the negative to Sylvia." "Sylvia who?" "Sylvia Stanard, the DSA" "Huh?" Office of Special Affairs, that Sylvia." "Hrmmph." Returning to the corner of 20th and R Streets, I overheard some conversations directed at Flash & Bunny. I asked Flash to crossover the street with me, we had a small strategy session. Bunny came over, I gave her a few tips on being on the "other" receiving end of Scientology. After a few more minutes, I headed across Connecticut Avenue, where Bunny and Flash joined me. We did the SUPPER TIME Dance, and headed up the street to a nice restaurant. Well fortified after a leisurely dinner, good conversation, and a piece of Key Lime pie split three ways (once on the lips, forever on the hips), we headed back towards the org. No signs this time, other than my w/c inserts. We lit up candles. I noticed a moderate number of scientologists hanging out on the balconey above the org's front door. "Ah, supper course break isn't over yet," I thought. I started a spiel, loud enough to reach the scientologists. "Tonight,we are mourning the lives lost to scientology" along with the story of the death of Lisa McPherson. For variation, I tossed in the suicide of Noah Lottick, spoke of Patrice Vic, Konard Aiger, and others. It took the org about 15-20 minutes to get a handler over to us. Flash's remaining leaflets were just flying out of her hands. By the time the org had 4 handlers passing out Lerma fliers, Flash's stock was nearly gone. One handler tried to provoke Flash, telling her such gems as "Get a life, If you had a life and could think for yourself, why would you be downtown on a Saturday night?" I chimed in, "Sweetie, think of your own life, why are you out here on a Saturday night? When you know the answer to that, we're ready to help you." Bunny had some intriguing conversation between a fellow on a bike, a handler in a "Psychiatry Kills" T-shirt, though she can tell that better than I. As Flash passed out her last leaflet, we blew out our candles, and said "The corner's all yours, folks, we're leaving." Flash and Bunny let me hitch a ride from them to my own transport (it was D.C after dark!). That was a great help to me. I headed for home, listening to a CD of old Carol King songs. The opening cut always seems appropriate after a picket..."I FEEL THE EARTH MOVE UNDER MY FEET, I SEE THE SKY TUMBLING DOWN..." I couldn't resist a final recon pass by the FCDC building at 7:15 PM...not a body regger in sight, no-one on the balconey, shades back up on the course room. Perhaps, when time permits, I will post further on my vigil perspective, but I close with this thought. Last year in Clearwater, I carried the wreath for Lisa McPherson from the Presbyterian Church to behind the Ft. Harrison nearest Cabana 174. That was a truly cathartic experience. Tonight, however, the ones I mourned were not just those who have died searching for "total freedom" on Hubbard's twisted 'bridge.' I mourned for those within orgs everywhere, who have not yet realized just how much of thier lives they have already lost to the Corporations of Scientology. I am again renewed in my "hobby" of retrieving the lost children of of Hubbard's NeverNever Land.