Clearwater Florida

Subject: A Canadian Clearwater Report.
From: elrond@cgo.wave.ca (Gregg Hagglund)

A CANADIAN CRITIC VISITS KING HUBBARD'S' CLEARWATER CULT

Thursday December 4th was a fine day in Toronto and traffic was light as I drove into the inner city to pick up my traveling companion Artemis. Artemis has attended every local picket I have led and is fellow critic of Scientology Management Practices.

I took the time on the drive to resolve some personal feelings and deal with my anger. I wanted to dissipate my anger at the Church of Scientology for this is not an emotion it is wise to take with you on a Picket.

Why was I angry?

I had felt the annoying mosquito bites of Scientologies Fair Game Policy before. I and my family had known it was inevitable the OSA would try to intimidate myself and my family by implicitly threatening our most vulnerable members: the children. The OSA had done this before to other critics, notably Grady Ward, so I had not truly been surprised. It was the stark reality of the actual act I suppose. Rationally I had no concrete proof the act which had angered me so was authored by the OSA, but logic led me to make it a reasonable assumption. After all, my niece lives in Ottawa, over 500 kilometers away and yet a photo of her at a family event on this past Monday was put into my mailbox on Tuesday. I knew I had to let go of the sting of the slap "we know where your loved ones are". If this was not the effort of the OSA then who?

It did not matter in the end, I decided.

This was a Picket week and the criminally convicted 'Church' of Scientology in Canada had been very effectively handcuffed by the Courts for previous Breaches of the Public Trust. Handcuffed by monetary penalties. Losing money against their interests was something the 'Cult of Greed and Power' understood and hated. Previously they had been so moved by legal activities against them in the Snow White trials in Canada as to libel the Crown Attorney prosecuting the case against them and this too had cost them. Millions in penalties. Really, I had to feel confident the laws of my country were an effective buffer against the most heinous of the OSA strategies, because I was still a minor annoyance to them and they were not yet desperate.

I breathed out and mentally imaged my anger flying away and coming back as laughter. Scientology was predictable in many ways and this was a special Picket week. This was the second anniversary of the death of Lisa McPherson, the Church of Scientology in Toronto knew a Picket was imminent and they were resisting. They could not stop the Picket except to buzz angrily and annoyingly.

What was truly amusing was the information I had from inside the Toronto Org.

There was joy in the hearts of the Scientologists! The criminal Suppressive Persons who demonstrated against them had failed to file a Notice of Demonstration! At last direct opposition was legally possible of the SPs who revealed to the Toronto citizenry the secret teaching of Hubbard that "there was no Christ" and the carefully protected Scientology Revelation of the Evil acts of Xenu the Galactic Overlord of fabricating God and Christ and all religions and implanting these terrible ideas into our Immortal Selves. The evil SPs would not be 'at cause' over the Org this time was the happy scuttlebutt of the Toronto Org!

Only on Saturday would the Toronto Org realize I was at cause over them again. For while there would be a demonstration by local critics of the criminal cult, the demonstration would be in Clearwater Florida, not Toronto. And the Canadian contribution to the Clearwater Demonstration while minor in itself would be symbolically important.
For we would carry into the heart of 'Occupied Clearwater' the fact my country had given the Church of Scientology a criminal conviction as a corporation. Had denied them tax free 'Charity' Status. My country had decided it was appropriate for anyone to believe what they wished but it was inappropriate and unacceptable for a Faith, any Faith, to orchestrate as a management policy common criminal acts against society as a whole for that Faiths benefit .

We Canadians would bring hope to many Americans. Hope of seeing the day when their own government would act and outlaw those practices of Scientology which were a danger to the public interest. Would outlaw the policies of any Faith or organization which led to tragedies such as the inevitable death of someone by pseudo-scientific practices. There was hope. Slavery had been banned over one hundred years ago in the US. One day human sacrifice would no longer be an acceptable religious practice in the United States, inadvertent or no.

Shortly I found myself at Artemis door. He was traveling light with but a single small bag. I, on the other hand, had packed a standard Picket package minus flyers: signs, cameras and recorders, multi-weather dress and the Megaphone. Now we headed for the airport.

Artemis and I mused about the Toronto Org getting dressed up and having no where to go. How many of the mere 250 local membership of the 700 registered Scientologists in Canada would they muster to oppose an empty sidewalk?

We also discussed the Gerry Armstrong situation. Gerry, a fellow Canadian, was a particular focus of Scientology ire. They had used US law to stifle his free speech and Gerry had retreated to Vancouver in his native Canada in order to continue to speak out on Scientology misdeeds. Gerry had intimated on the Internet newsgroup alt. religion.scientology he would be likely be attending the Clearwater Picket. We wondered if Scientology would use their new tactic of making quasi-legal 'citizen's arrests' to incarcerate Gerry long enough for him to miss the picket. Artemis and I mused about the possibility of OSA agents mistaking me for Gerry. I did have a beard and long brown hair pulled back into a pony tail. I was flying in from Canada for the Clearwater Picket. We were using the 'back door' airport of St Petersburg rather than Tampa. Would someone walk up to me and ask if I was Gerry? What would I do? I decided that I would demand " Who wants to know?" and if they declared a citizens arrest I would demand a lawyer. I knew my photo ID and birth certificate would ultimately bail me out of any such situation, but it would be amusing to have the OSA screw up in this way. Particularly as this would be a criminal act by a Church of Scientology member committed against a Canadian for the benefit of the Church. Which would leave them wide open to a government backed legal tangle back in Canada. After all, the Church still had assets in Canada which were attachable, even though some of them bore huge mortgages to pay previous millions in fines and settlements in my homeland.

All this was 'pass the time talk' on the long drive to the airport. We didn't think the OSA would really be that stupid. They might want to do something like that , but would they risk another raid on the Org.'s in Canada? I didn't think so. However, I was soon to learn the OSA is trickier than I thought and just as determined, petty and manipulative as ever in its pursuit of Gerry Armstrong. I did not know it then, but within the next 48 hours I would find myself briefly the focus of an alleged OSA operation to use the Clearwater Police in an apparent manhunt for Gerry Armstrong in Clearwater.

Reaching the Airport I parked in the lot I knew from my previous employ in Airport Security to be heavily video surveilled. My distinctive vehicle would be there for four days and if vandalized on Federal Property I knew there would be repercussions far beyond any I could manage.

Shortly I was napping comfortably as we flew south into heart of dead King Hubbard's Clearwater Cult.
***

St. Petersburg airport is very 'small town'. One exits an aircraft via open stairs onto the tarmac and are directed into a comfortable if small facility. Immigration is brusque and efficient as is Customs. Just another load of Canadian Tourists. Artemis and I carry our bags into the main area of the terminal looking for our promised local contact. I kept a wary eye out for inquisitive strangers or observers but none were apparent. Unfortunately in a display of the efficiency of the (nonexistent) ARSCC our friendly locals were over at the Tampa Airport looking for us. Perhaps the OSA too.
We looked about hopefully and then I went to the Courtesy phone and asked for a page of "Xenu Productions". The guy at the other end nearly choked. "Xenu?" , he said. "You want me to page Xenu? Isn't that the Scientology bad guy?", he asked. "Yes", I replied, " But he is starting a new career as an Intergalactic Travel Agent and this is the first stop on the tour. Actually its just a name for the sake of identifying parties who haven't met before. We are waiting at Gate 6". "OK, he answered, and I hung up. A voice full of laughter came on over the Public Address: "Xenu Productions please meet your party at gate 6." This was repeated several times, each time with more amusement in the voice. However no one made an appearance to rescue us so Artemis and I went outside, grabbed a cab and soon found ourselves at the Picketers Holiday Inn.

The hotel has been apprised of OSA tactics and wanted to see our IDs before even acknowledging we have a reservation. This settled, Artemis and I dumped our meager possessions in our room and head to the dining lounge to eat. It is now 8 pm and I am famished, not having eaten anything since noon except for the light but tasty snack on the flight.

When we entered the Dining lounge/ bar we began the delightful process of meeting, face to face, many regular ARS posters and some legends. Everyone had agreed in advance to park egos at the door and focus on the Lisa Vigil and pickets against the Scientology management. And for the most part this was done.

Here are my 'people' impressions:
Rambunctious Sandy and Deana, stately Bob Minton, the quiet reserve of Dennis Erlich, the teddy bear friendliness of Grady Ward, the mischievous and humorous Arnie Lerma, NukeWasters courage and determination, Rod Keller's incisive wit, Martins deep emotional commitment, the feather-like and fragile appearance of Bids spoken word and the steel in her resolve, Big Beards home town earthiness, Marc Dallara's absolute sincerity, Jeff Jacobsen's humanity and openness and others who displayed a common affinity and goal. The affinity was this was not about the right to Faith but the arrogant abuse of Faith, law and justice. The goal was to keep alive the public awareness of the inevitable tragedy of Lisa's death at the hands of such arrogance, at the hands of Scientology. The still dangerous Doomsday Machine of a dead megalomaniac.

It was a wonderful 'get acquainted' soiree that lasted until late at night. I shared the insider info I had from 'Shadow' about Scientology strategy. The scuttlebutt was the Church would either come at us with a massive counter demonstration or do nothing and try to ignore us. We did not know then, in the end it was to be both. During my traverses through the lobby I noticed a man who spent some effort to conceal his use of a camera to photograph all who came through the door. Possible OSA I thought. I had been joking with the others about the Gerry Armstrong situation and had been told he would not be coming. Time for a little misdirection, I thought. I went to the desk and asked if their had been any messages for me from British Columbia or from Nevada and that if they came in to page me in the Dining room/bar. I said I was 'using' the name Gregg.

I noted in the mirror behind a display at the front desk the man in the lobby and his reaction. If he could have stretched his ears any harder he would have hurt himself.
I was told the Church was trying for TROs against Dennis and Keith Henson. Since Henson was not going to be there that was the cause for some amusement. The TRO attack on Dennis was a standard outrage and abuse of process by Scientology. Ken Dandar was going to stand up for Dennis at a hearing the next morning (Friday), but Dennis was not hopeful. "They will stand there, tell the usual lies and then sit down." he said. Someone else added, " and then the Judge will kiss their ass!" "Something like that", Dennis answered with a quiet and resigned smile. The general consensus was not to let this incense or deter us. We would just make sure where ever Dennis had to picket he would not be alone. The Church had failed to get our Permit revoked and had also failed to pressure the City into closing the sidewalks. The Vigil on Friday and the Demonstrations on Saturday would proceed without the barbarous interference of the previous time. And this had the Church frothing at the mouth.Eventually I made it to bed.
***

Friday morning we met in the Coastal room for a Picketers conference. We were delayed a bit by a CBS Interview of one of the Picketers but we finally all filed in and everyone got to meet some of the overnight arrivals and those staying elsewhere. Here we were given our secret IDs: a real spiffy looking Xenu ring! And then we had a general introduction all around. Jeff Jacobsen chaired the meeting and the CBS crew did a little filming as we introduced ourselves. Our Non violent Picketing policy was reiterated and some strategy and tactics resolved. I found I was to be a defacto Picket Marshal by virtue of the MegaPhone being used to direct our traffic. Some wanted to know what I would be saying over the Megaphone. I had discussed this with others and I would stick to factual Lisa information, no personals. If the opportunity presented itself I would use some of our Toronto Picket spiel but that was going to be a play it by ear situation. I was not going to be an embarrassing loose cannon.I would not be bringing the Megaphone to the Vigil tonight or to Ybor City on Saturday afternoon. We only had a sound permit for the Clearwater Demonstration. We were all reminded to stay together and move as a group. Not to wander off alone, but keep in a minimum of twos, best threes. Gary Scarff was discussed. The general feeling was to let him mingle amongst the Picketers in general, just as we had invited the Clearwater Public. If Gary acted civilly there would be no problems. If he acted otherwise the Police would handle him as they would anyone who caused a ruckus.

Prior to our Picketers conference the Church moved in on the Hotel in force. We were tripping over OSA and Church Hacks and PR in the lobby. The Church had rented a meeting room just up the hall from our conference room and called for a press conference to follow ours later that day. This legitimized their presence and their cameras and their verbal attempts to handle us. The worst affront though was the appearance of Glen Barton from LA. This really upset Deana and she briefly gave him a hard time verbally and fairly loudly. He made a complaint to the hotel but not much came of it. Deana got it together. I watched her struggle with and win over her anger. She had good reason to be upset. Here was the man who had deliberately sent a paid thug to beat Keith Henson into submission and falsely arrest him. Mr. Barton was so afraid of Keith Henson he had traveled across the continent to be where he thought Keith would be so as to be frightened of him again. After awhile I think Deana got the grotesque humor of the situation.

A rather oily gentleman named Carmichael tried to quiz me on who I was and why I was there and who was paying me. I laughed at him, but I let him know I was from Canada and 'doing Gods Work'.Carmichael tried to get my picture but I dodged him. Then I offered to pose. His hand shook when he took the shot. I had the distinct feeling he wished it was not a camera he was pointing. I also let drop in natural conversations just within the hearing of other OSA and Church hacks little hints about Canada, Martin Hunt, BC weather. This over the course of the afternoon prior to our press conference and meeting with the Police. Let them think Gerry Armstrong was here incognito and maybe they would make a big mistake. "Wog" law might be compromised here in the United States, but not so in Canada. If they wanted and International incident with a member of a bureaucratically noticeable family from Canada then so be it.
After our meeting I slipped down to the restaurant for a quick bite before the press conference. I passed by Mr. Barton and asked him if he had ever heard of Dirac Angestun Gesept. He ignored me. Too bad, I would have enlightened him as to how much he was falling for the WASP concept that Henson was ruining him with. He'll find out eventually, I am sure.

The Press Conference was a great success and well attended by the local media and national and international print. Rod Keller manned the door and calmly excluded the lame and half hearted attempt by 'Freedom' magazine to enter.

Gary Scarff was there.
Rod did not want to let him in. Gary had said some abusive things on ARS about Dennis and Dennis and Dandar were going to be late to the conference. No one wanted Gary to confront Dennis in front of a room packed with cameras and reporters. An off duty police officer was on hand to keep the peace. We had discussed the enforcement of our exclusionary rights before and had decided to have a police presence. No vigilante antics on our part ala' Barton. Bob Minton and Rod had a quiet talk and Bob promised to chaperone Gary.

Gary looked simply awful. He appeared very much emotionally drained. Bob escorted him in and I followed. We ended up on the far side of the room away from the door. I took the opportunity to introduce myself to Gary. We had had some civilized email after he stormed onto ARS. Gary was very subdued and withdrawn. In my opinion he was and is a deeply troubled man. I did take and briefly squeeze his hand. I hoped a little human kindness and a touch would help him, I think Bob Minton felt the same. Gary remained quiet and attentive during the press conference. Ironically later, once Ken Dandar and Dennis finally arrive 15 minutes late, there was a moment during Dandar's address when I observed Gary, Jeff Jacobsen and Dennis were all quietly shedding tears at the same time.

Jeff Jacobsen chaired the conference. He explained Ken Dandar's absence and then, voice shaking, bravely went on to speak briefly for Lisa. Brigitta spoke next. She looked like a deer caught in the head lights, but she was carefully listened to. She spoke of her experiences within Scientology in a soft Swedish accent and how she was almost a Lisa too. Martin spoke next. He looked afraid and unhappy. Not of anyone there but of Scientology and the enormity of the fascist monstrosity it had become. Tom Padget spoke of his experiences and oppression by the 'Church'.
And then dramatically Ken Dandar and Dennis arrived. Ken Dandar spoke at length and with a reserved passion. He covered the time line of Lisa's final days with Scientology and her death in their care. He castigated the PR apologists for the Church and emphasized he had been hired by Fannie, Lisa's now deceased mother to represent the Estate of Lisa and to seek justice for Lisa. He did forget to mention at that time an important item, but Bob Minton filled us in later and Ken Dandar followed up with the press separately. That item was the direction given by Lisa's family which dictated any monetary compensation resulting for the Estate of Lisa suing Scientology would go to aiding cult victims and not enriching any family member. The suit was not about money, but accountability and justice.

Dennis said a few words of his experience and his battles with the cult and then the Press conference was over. A very thorough press kit had been put together and given to all the journalists present and so few questions were asked. Some print media asked individual questions of various Picketers, including myself.
The press went down the hall to the Churches conference. Our conference had taken 40 minutes. It took the cameramen longer to set up for the Church conference the conference itself. As one reporter remarked to me the next day "Rinder came off as a total loon".

We had a short break and then it was three pm and time for our briefing by the Clearwater Police Department. A local reporter wanted in on that briefing. but we were not going to give an exclusive and besides, one CWPD officer briefing us was an undercover man and did not want his description bandied about.

Lieutenant Daley briefed us. He voiced his appreciation for our co-operation and our wisdom in seeking a permit this time. He had not relished the idea of a repeat of the dangerous melee of the previous Picket. He was not criticizing us, but he was relieved to have the additional regulations which accompanied a Permit to ensure the Peace. He said that after conferring with Scientology the entrance and one half the length of the sidewalk to the right and in front of the Fort Harrison would be barricaded off. This gave the Church staff and public unimpeded access to the front of the Harrison and would not interfere with our Picket. He announced he had been assured by the Church that no counter protest was being organized for the Vigil that evening. For Saturday, since we had a sound permit, I had 'carte blanche' on the content of what I or the Picket chose to relay via the Megaphone barring certain civil restrictions on inciting to riot and disturbing the peace with amplified profanity. He instructed that we were to keep moving, not block the sidewalks either this evening or on the morrow and we need not fear arbitrary arrest for miscommunications or confusions. There would be a Police officer every 15 to twenty feet inside our permit areas and they would advise us individually or in groups if we were committing any technical infractions. Provided we cooperated and adhered to these instructions then there would be no problems. Since this evening was a Vigil we would be allowed to stand along the sidewalk facing the Fort Harrison as the Bag piper played. Jeff then filled the Police in on our Vigil plans to the effect that we would end by having the ladies lead the Vigil down the street and across to the Fort Harrison carrying a stand and a wreath which would be set up to one side of the Harrison front and the Vigil participants would then file past blowing out their candles as they did so. Then we would leave the area and return to the Hotel.
Another Officer spoke and provided a rough diagram of the barricades and street layout. He emphasized we should stay together and not wander off in less than pairs.
Finally a police Captain arrived. His name escapes me, however he spoke briefly and stated that the Civil rights of all parties were being protected and the CWPD would treat everyone equally fairly or harshly depending on the individuals conduct.
Marc Dallara and/or Jeff then voiced our appreciation for the Police efforts and service and we all looked forwarded to a 'cool' evening. This was a bit of a joke to end on. The weather forecast was for temperatures in the low 30s (Fahrenheit). We then adjourned for munchies and were to meet in the parking lot at 5:50 pm to organize ourselves into the various vehicles available for the short ride into the heart of Clearwater.

After a scene reminiscent of the Keystone Cops everybody ended up with a seat in a car or van and we were on our way. And a short time later in downtown Clearwater we drove by a huge demonstration.
Those of us in our vehicle were unsure what building was being picketed but the messages were anti police and anti press. It was Scientology keeping their word not to mount a counter demonstration of the Vigil. Instead they had mustered all they had to Picket and trash the CWPD and the SP Times.

I did a quick visible head count between light standards and then added it up.
"Fifteen Hundred to two thousand", I remarked. We drove by screaming men and women and children. Many were not properly dressed for the cold, especially the children. "They had to bus that lot in," someone added. It was a sobering sight that much invective and hatred in motion. I realized then why the Church had fought so hard to get our permits withdrawn. We would have faced that mob. However since "wog" law had thwarted their plan to bury our demonstration beneath a sea of opposing Picketers they had turned their throngs onto insulting the Police. I was stunned at the magnitude of this mistake by the Church. They were unraveling years of walking softly and cultivating a false civilized facade of co-operation with the City of Clearwater. I was watching Operation FootNuke.

Moments later we were gathering in a parking lot one block behind the Fort Harrison and to its right. More keystone cops ensued as we tried to get ourselves sorted out and distribute all the candles. There were a couple of false starts as people started to move off when not all had arrived. Someone remarked that for a criminal conspiracy headed by the German Government we were a disgrace to our Psyche masters. Deana remarked it was "like trying to herd cats". Someone else offered that all one had to do was wave your arms and point in the desired direction and yell "Free Internet access over there!" and everyone would go that way. Once Jeff had arrived with our single Picket sign, a blow up of Lisa smiling doomed visage, I tried the "Free Access" gambit and it worked. We started to move out in some form of cohesive action. However we soon were strung out all along the block. Those in front moved too fast and those behind were moving slowly, out of courtesy, at the pace of our least agile member. Deana called for people to close up, and I finding myself near the front did the same. Members of the general public were joining us and everyone was struggling against the wind to light our candles. Some innovative types were peering in street trash bins and extracting used drinking cups to use as wind breaks for their candles.

Eventually we made it to the street corner and looked left down the block and along the front of the Fort Harrison. There was a Constable every 20 feet lining the property side of the side walks in front of the Harrison and across the street in front of the "Winter Wonderland "exhibit. There were many more members of the public and a cadre of Press and OSA camera types gathered on the Wonderland side of the street. Once the Light changed we ambled across the road and turning left began to trek the 100 meters to the Wonderland opposite the Harrison.
OSA were everywhere videoing us. In the bushes, trees, behind signs even hiding inside the Wonderlands' Tacky facades.
As I passed each Constable I made eye contact and some remark like thank you for your service or I hope you aren't too cold, grateful to see you etc. They deserved the appreciation. By now we had been told their headquarters was being picketed and there superiors vilified. If I had been their shoes I would have been somewhat dissatisfied with the Church of Scientology 's deceptive behavior and the blatant lies they were heaping upon the CWPD just a few blocks away.

We soon found ourselves in a huddled mass opposite the Harrison. Many locals joined us and thanked us for doing this and giving them a chance to publicly remember Lisa in this way and hassle free.The press did some quick on camera interviews and print reporters were hunting for quotable quotes. I did a head count and not including cameras we were almost 50 strong.
Then the piper played and magnificently too. The press restrained themselves nicely and were as unobtrusive as possible I am told. I didn't notice myself. Amazing Grace was the opening refrain and I lost it. I just cried. I know he played at least two more pieces but I was too overwrought to remember the refrains, just that they were played flawlessly. Then Jeff signaled the ladies and they moved out and down the rest of the block to the corner and across the street and then back left past the Harrison front. We followed in a quiet file. The simple wreath bearing the single word "Lisa" was placed on its stand just past the Harrison front door. As we passed, more or less in single file, we blew out our candles.

We walked a bit down the street and paused to get gathered up again. Some of Clearwater's citizenry that had joined us stopped with us and wondered what was next. I told them we were just getting together to go back to our hotel and thanked them for coming. They all thanked us and promised to come back tomorrow and join the Management picket.

We started to head back along the rest of the block to the corner and turn right to march the one block to the parking lot and of course we got all strung out again. I was deep in thought for Lisa. I felt her presence, which was sad but not frightened. I turned the corner and slowly moved up the block to the parking lot. Half way up the block was a small cross street with a Police car parked there. I suddenly realized I was alone. Those in front of me were just disappearing around the left corner 50 ft ahead to the car lot. Looking behind me I saw a large grouping of Picketers talking together at the last corner. I decided to cross the street here and continue up the block to the car lot. I was standing at a marked crossing point and I looked both ways for traffic and glanced at the police car. Both Constables were staring my way intently. I looked around to see who or what they were eagle eying but there was nothing to see. I realized they were giving me an intense once over, but I was standing in shadows. They kept looking at me and then at something on the dash and then back at me. So I crossed the street and stopped there beneath a street lamp and looked back at the Police car. I let them have a good look. They pulled out abruptly, turned up the street towards the direction I was heading and disappeared turning left around the next corner where we had parked the cars. I hurried up the street to catch up to the rest and came around the corner to a startling plateau.

The Police car was pulled up askew the corner and one officer was standing in the side walk waiting for me. Over his shoulder and across the street I saw a group of Picketers looking my way. The Constable had his hand lightly on his holstered pistol and his other hand up at me. He was a young man in his mid twenties. " Excuse me sir, I need to speak to you" , he said quietly. I froze in place and then slowly move my hands away from my sides. I wanted him to see all my motions as slow. I am tall and was dressed in Black pants shirt and suit Jacket. I keep a thick wallet in my front left suit pocket and he had his eyes fixed on that. I am sure it looked to him like a shoulder holster bulge.

"We have had a report of someone carrying a concealed weapon", he continued.
" I understand," I said , then I volunteered " Would you like to pat me down or search me?" I thought I knew what was going on and decided to test my theory. I went on, " I am just a tourist from Canada and we tend to be very cooperative with the Constabulary."
At the word 'Canada' he tensed and moved a bit down and to his right, ready to act.
" I need to see some identification sir," he said, still politely but warily. I had a candle in my right hand so I announce to him what I wanted to do. "Let me put this candle in my pocket, ok? and I will get my drivers license", I offered.
"All right sir", he said, again politely.
I slowly tucked the candle into my right suit coat pocket and then gestured, again slowly and with my now empty right hand at my left breast pocket.
" My wallet is in here," I said, "I am going to reach in and get it with two fingers, ok?"
He smiled at me and met my eyes. "Fine, sir."
I reached in and cautiously extracted my wallet. I could see an easing of his tension as that was all it was. I removed my Photo ID Ontario Drivers Licenses and offered it to him. He took it and then I carefully opened my suit coat before he could ask so he could see both shoulders were empty.
At this moment Bob Minton arrived trotting back from the first group of Picketers and interceding on my behalf.
" This is Mr. Hagglund from Canada," he said, " he is part of our Vigil."
The other Constable was out of the vehicle now and at Bob's side. He spoke, " I am sorry but we have a had a complaint about a member of your group carrying a concealed weapon and making threats". He too was polite but firm.
The Constable examining me announced he had to take down my particulars. He produced a note book and began to copy information from my license. He asked me the usual leading questions to which I happily answered.
The second constable asked me, " You haven't spoken to anyone outside your group this evening sir?" Still polite.
"No, I haven't Constable" I answered cheerfully. I smiled and looked at Bob Minton and said " We've just been talking with each other, local volunteer Vigil members and the press right?" "Right ." Bob said.
The first constable gave me back my ID and thanked me for my co-operation.
"Perfectly alright," I said." May I go now?," I asked.
"Yes, " he said, and " good evening sir."
"Good evening to you constable, I replied and added, " Stay safe out there now, alright?" "Yes sir, good night"
" Good Night" I said and moved on and across the street.

Bob walked with me and asked if I was ok. I told him I was fine. We joined the small crowd of Vigil members who had witnessed the whole thing. "What was all that about? everyone wanted to know. I told them I thought it was a hunt for Gerry Armstrong. Grady asked me why I thought that. "Well,' I answered, they had a description and a visual aid of some kind that matched me. The suspect is supposedly carrying a weapon and is a member of the Vigil and made threats this evening and is from Canada, given the sensitivity they displayed to that piece of volunteered information. Since the Church still thinks I am in Toronto that kind of narrows it down to only one other publicly announced Canadian attendee who meets the general criteria and that is Gerry Armstrong. Only he is at home and I am here". I laughed, "Of course it helped I dropped some hints at the Hotel in bare earshot of the OSA."

Bob Minton was apologetic and concerned if I had been upset or frightened. I assured him I had not, after all, I was once an Officer of the Crown and had performed that Constables duties myself , only without the aid of a pistol. I once served my country as a Custom Officer at the Ambassador Bridge. I announced I intended to write the CWPD and compliment them on the fine professional conduct of the Officers in this incident. Everyone relaxed. If I wasn't upset then they had no reason to be and I wanted to defuse any tensions.
The picket tomorrow might well be run through a gauntlet of thousands of bussed in and stirred up Scientologists before we reached the safety of the permit protected area. I needed a beer and a good nights rest. Tomorrow would be an interesting day.
***

Breakfast on this Picket day was interesting. Dennis shared that the CWPD would be making chalk marks on the sidewalk so he would not inadvertently stray into "Forbidden Territory" and Grady said he would Picket with Dennis. I shared the distressing message I had from home someone had placed photos of my children engaged in activities on Thursday in my mail box on Friday. Then Arnie bounced in. "Look in the parking lot !", he said with a tired grin. "It will start your day off with the right flavor."

Many of us trooped outside and were delighted to see Arnie's promised Entheta Mobile. This was a 16 foot U Haul cube van with both sides and back covered in vinyl stick down posters, full size decrying Scientology Lies and giving helpful URLs. Another example of our organization abilities was the amusing missing "dot' from one of the URLs. This , Arnie announced, while gulping coffee would be fixed with a magic marker shortly. We all asked Arnie to convey our thanks to the professionals who had donated this and to those, including Arnie, who had stayed up to all hours painstakingly putting the vinyl sections onto the Entheta Mobile. It was decided to post a watch on the EM until we moved out. CWPD had been chasing OSA operatives out of the Hotel Parking lot since our arrival and there was some concern a few moments with a spray can could ruin this street art.

After breakfast was more keystone cops getting everyone a seat in the various vehicles along with signs and equipment and then off we went into Clearwater again for the 9:30 start.

We were met in the parking lot by Lieutenant Daley and his Police Captain. This was unexpected. The Captain asked us to gather around for an announcement. He said the Church, after promising a another big demonstration today had canceled it and in fact had *shut down the Fort Harrison for the morning!* Therefore the CWPD had removed the barricades and we had free reign, but we still could not block the sidewalks etc.

This was quite a feat, closing down the Harrison! And too the Church had announced on Friday it would not let its members wear Sea Ogre Uniforms while we were around for 'fear of violence from the Picketers'. We were at Total Cause over the Tech Mecca and sometime Killing Ground of the Church of Scientology.

I took the opportunity of these two fine Officers being available to tell them of my examination by their Constable after the Vigil and how Professional and well mannered he had been. I asked them to pass on my commendations and they said they would.

And then Jeff asked me to herd cats again. However with the MegaPhone it was easy. "Free Internet Access this way!" and we were off for the short walk up to the Harrison.

And yes we did get strung out again, but I Marshaled them back easily enough. Locals joined us with their own signs and soon we found ourselves approaching the permitted area on the Wonderland side of the street opposite the Harrison. Again there was a Constable every 15- 20 feet and it was still quite brisk in the mid Thirtys, but no breeze to speak of and very sunny.

As we reached the area opposite the Harrison I noticed we had a fairly large number of Media Cameras, many on tripods all focused on the empty Harrison Front.

They had nothing to record except awkward side shots of us circling back and forth on the Wonderland side. We had decided to avoid marching on the Harrison side so a s to avoid any possible conflicts and OSA trouble making. But the Church had gone into hiding!

I eyed that empty space and the cameras and made my move. I went up to the next corner, crossed the street and then parked myself in front of the Fort Harrison doors. I put down my sign and leaned it against my legs so it faced the street. My sign said, 'Scientology; Secret UFO Cult' on one side, but I put the other side outwards. This side said ' Canada has only One Criminally Convicted 'Church': Scientology'.
I began to speak on the Megaphone.
I started by thanking the CWPD for their fine job and the many citizens of Clearwater who had swelled our ranks at the Vigil and again today. I said that the Vigil was to honor Lisa and keep her memory and need for justice alive and in the public eye. But this picket was to Protest the continuing management practices which were found to repugnant worldwide and which had in part led to Lisa's death.
I then mentioned Scientology's miserable international record and ended that by explaining why the Cult had a criminal record in Canada. The CWPD loved that bit.
I introduced Xenu to the Media and then I started to read court opinions of Scientology.
Looking to my right I could see the OSA Hacks boiling in the Garage to the RPF.
I used a lot of stuff from Toronto, but I did not dwell overlong on the Xenu story, just the deception. I Spoke for about 15 minutes and ended. By this time other Picketers had crossed the street and began Picketing in front of the Harrison. We now had action on both sides of the street.

After my address the media started to mingle and move amongst us. So did some OSA, but they mostly stayed on our periphery and kept squinting into cameras. The garage entrance was full of OSA and Church PR hacks. I used the opportunity as I passed to voice a message to the RPF.

"Any Canadians confined to the RPF, if you can get to an outside phone, dial zero four one one and ask for the Canadian Consulate. They will come and pick you up and fly you home." This caused a flurry of scurrying and then one could hear doors in the structure being slammed shut, "Boom, boom boom". One OSA gave me the finger. I asked him how many BTs can dance on the head of a pin? and moved on.

CBS asked me for my name and personal story. i told them if they wanted a personal story of import to go up the street and interview Dennis and Grady. They asked why and I gave them a short rundown. Then they grabbed their gear and went down the street in search of Dennis and Grady.

The Police began using me as a relay. Their command post would send out on their net for the Officer nearest the guy with the Bull Horn to remind people to not bunch up, nor appear to block the side walk etc. So I did this whenever they asked.

At 10:30 Jeff asked me to announce the move over to the Sandcastle and we headed out. The CWPD kept a protective vigil on us and had lined the sidewalk of the park opposite the Sandcastle. This is where they had apparently expected a large counter demo, which never materialized. Another strain on the Clearwater municipal budget by those seeking to "improve' downtown Clearwater.

Along the short trek to the Sandcastle I ended up at the tail end of the parade and struck up a conversation with a new Sea Ogre. I am not going to post the details of the ARSCC ( wdne) tech I used on him, but in five minutes of honest discourse and a Court Opinion Flyer and an RX SPecial, this fellow Blew. He tossed his digital cam to another SO and announced he was "F-ing out of here!" This made the whole weekend extra worthwhile, to me.

We were now about 50 strong again having picked up many local citizens demonstrators. Gary Scarff was there and he seemed peaceable enough. I hoped he would interact calmly with others. We exchanged a few amusing words about the OSA. Gary seemed more cheerful this day.

The CWPD kept me relaying instructions and then Jeff signaled for the return to the Harrison.
Back at the Harrison nothing had changed. The media had followed us to the Sandcastle and back again, grabbing sound and video bites and the print media scribbling furiously.
We demonstrated to all the faces in the Harrison windows and garage how we were still 'at cause'. And then, at noon we finished.
I used the Megaphone to thank the CWPD and expressed our appreciation.
Many locals came up to thank us.
We moved out and back to the Hotel without apparent incident.
***

The Ybor City Picket was fun later that afternoon. The small Dianetics mission was closed up for the evening and local merchants said it was very downstat anyway. We picketed and leafletted in the area in an 'Herd the Cats fashion". Very relaxed if cold. The OSA eventually showed and were treated to group enturbulations, then we were going to break for dinner.

I was exhausted by now. My CFS was in full swing and I was walking in two gravities. Bob Minton said he was going back to the Hotel and offered a ride to those interested.

Shortly I found myself on a little adventure with Bob Minton, Arnie Lerma, Grady Ward, Deana and Bid.
But that is Bob's story and I hope one day he tells it. It was fun and Bob ended up buying the five of us dinner. This was the only thing Bob paid for for me except his turn at a round of drinks at the Hotel.

And that is about it folks.

Artemis and I ended up being delivered to Tampa Airport by the ever efficient ARSCC Escort and Body Routing Service, but we just hopped a cab over to the more staid and laid back St Petersburg Field.

I got home Sunday evening tired and happy and desperate for Back Bacon.
There is no place like home.(click)
There is no place like home.(click)
There is no place like home.(click)
(grin)
Gregg Hagglund SP4 http://www.cgocable.net/~elrond