Clearwater, December 1998

A summary of reports and issues as posted in Rod Keller's Week in Review
Volume 3, Issue 35, 13 Dec 1998. Archived at:
http://www.xenu.net/archive/WIR/

Clearwater Picket

Pickets were held in Clearwater, Florida this week to mark the 3rd anniversary of Lisa McPherson's death at the Fort Harrison Hotel. Pickets were to be accompanied by bus ads. From the St. Petersburg Times:

"Pinellas County's transit chief pulled 10 buses off the road Sunday after the Church of Scientology complained that the vehicles' side panels contained anti-Scientology advertising. The ads were purchased by church critics and were to be on buses Saturday through Monday as part of a weekend-long protest against Scientology.

"Each of the 11 ads carried a different message. Among them: 'Think for Yourself. Quit Scientology,' 'Find out why so many people oppose Dianetics and Scientology' and 'Why does Scientology lie to its members?' Scientology representatives began phoning the homes of transit and Clearwater city officials after the buses began rolling Saturday morning. The church argued that the ads violated a state law regarding published material that 'tends to expose any individual or any religious group to hatred, contempt, ridicule or (abusive language).'

"Rathbun said ads were part of 'an unprecedented level of taunting' against Scientologists. 'I think they went out of bounds in terms of inciting hatred toward Scientologists and inciting Scientologists to react in some fashion,' he said. Had the church engaged in the same activity, it would have been skewered by the media, Rathbun said. 'You might as well have no rights as far as we're concerned.'

"They were purchased by a group called Former Scientologists Speaking Out, which had its three-day advertising contract cut short, said Frank Oliver, a former Scientologist and a Scientology critic who heads the Miami graphics company that designed the ads. 'None of those statements are inflammatory in any way,' he said. 'They don't have a leg to stand on.' Oliver said the group that placed the ads had not decided how to proceed. 'Obviously the contract was violated, but I think our point was made,' he said."

An evening candlelight vigil was held near the Fort Harrison, led by Gregg Hagglund.

"As planned in advance I presided over the brief but moving Memorial Ceremony for Lisa. This was on Saturday night at 7 pm. Members of Lisa's family were present as well as about 50 to 70 mourners and a dozen Television and Print Media reps recording the moment. Family Members, Mourners and Media gathered in front of the adjacent Christian Church for this moving tribute to Lisa.

"First our Piper, this year a sweet and serious 12 year old golden haired girlchild, played Amazing Grace for Lisa McPherson. I spoke then and said: 'Dear Family, Friends, and Well-wishers: Welcome to this Memorial Ceremony for Lisa McPherson who suffered a tragic personal trial and death at the hands of those she unfortunately trusted there in the Fort Harrison three years ago this day. While Lisa was not of my Faith, she gave Faith. In life she thought, at least for awhile, she had found a place dedicated to Integrity, Honesty, and Compassion. In the end her Faith was bitterly betrayed by the true hidden nature of the path she had followed and its ultimate lack of Compassion and Charity. We mourn and Remember Lisa here tonight with the reading of a special poem written by a former Scientologist, Charlotte Kates. Charlotte has only recently left Scientology and greatly troubled by the nature of Lisa's passing she has composed this fitting tribute to Lisa:' I then read Charlottes touching poem and all present, especially Dell, were visibly moved.

"Our young Angelic Piper then played two very difficult but beautiful Highland Remembrances. Following this I took the wreath and gave it to Nukewaster. She placed it in her lap and began the long trek of wheeling herself down the sidewalk beside the Church and opposite FLAG towards the back cabanas. Lisa's family and the mourners solemnly trailed behind. Nuke slowly wheeled herself down and around behind the Fort Harrison to where Grady Ward had set the Wreath Stand against the wall behind Room 174. (Where Lisa Passed.) The stand had a beautiful colour shot of Lisa smiling hung on its lower cross bar and Grady had lit a prayer candle bearing Lisa's visage and dates and placed this on the ground before the wreath.

"At the Stand I took the Wreath from Nuke and put it in place and then stepped just beyond. Nuke was the first to pass and graced Lisa's photo with a kissed hand. I extinguished my Candle. Dell and the McPherson family came next, extinguishing there candles and thanking me. Then the rest of the Friends and Mourners of Lisa passed, one by one. Many lay a flower or bouquet below the wreath.

"When the last mourner had passed I took Lisa's candle from its place and extinguished it as well. Then I addressed the throng one last time: 'It is important, I think and I believe Lisa would too, for all here to remember we must Forgive those who took part in Lisa's Trial. Forgive but do not Forget. This is not about Hate or Retribution, but about Change. Retribution is hardly our place, but Change is and with Change we may try to prevent this type of needless tragedy from happening again. Hatred consumes. Forgiveness heals. In Lisa's name I ask you all to try to Forgive. Thank you all for coming this Evening.' And it was over, so then I cried."

From the St. Petersburg Times:

"Relatives of Lisa McPherson made a tear-filled trip Saturday night to the Scientology hotel where she spent her final days under guard and in the grips of a mental breakdown. Her aunt and uncle, Dell and Art Liebreich, and her cousin Kim Krenek led a group of about 60 anti-Scientology protesters who held candles and laid a wreath outside a privacy wall at Scientology's Fort Harrison Hotel. A few feet away, just beyond the wall, was Room 174, where McPherson is said to have spent 17 days under the care of fellow Scientologists.

"As Dell Liebreich and Krenek wept, a Scientology staffer wrote down license plate numbers of protesters who had parked nearby. Dell Liebreich and Krenek are among McPherson's closest surviving relatives. Her mother, Fannie McPherson of Dallas, died shortly after the lawsuit was filed in 1997. Saturday marked the first time McPherson's family had been to the Fort Harrison. They traveled from Texas for the ceremony, which also was attended by many of Scientology's most determined critics. Liebreich thanked them and others around the world who have expressed support for the family. Krenek wore a locket with McPherson's picture."

Also from the St. Petersburg Times on the picket events:

"Hundreds of Scientologists stayed off the streets of downtown Saturday, an effort, their leaders said, to avoid contact with about 45 anti-Scientology protesters. Visiting parishioners and uniformed church staffers were ferried between Scientology's building in rented vans. Dark tinted windows and holiday decorations prevented outsiders from seeing in and passengers from seeing out.

At times, staffers were seen scurrying into church buildings, which were fortified in several ways. A 5-foot-high masonry wall surrounding much of Scientology's Fort Harrison Hotel was made 3 feet higher with temporary lattice and cardboard. A row of Christmas trees blocked views at another Scientology hotel. Many entrances were blocked from view. 'The church and its members have made an active effort during this week to avoid any sort of confrontation with protesters, despite having been taunted and baited continuously', Scientology said in a written statement."

From the Washington Post, on the death of Lisa McPherson and the pickets:

"'I am L. Ron Hubbard,' the woman on the hotel room bed announced in a robotic voice. 'I created time 3 billion years ago.' She rambled on and on, every outburst dutifully scribbled down by those assigned to watch her. 'I can't confront force . . . I need my auditor . . . I want to take a toothbrush and brush the floor until I have a cognition.' The jargon of Scientology was instantly familiar to anyone who entered that room in the Fort Harrison Hotel, part of an elite training center and retreat established here by Hubbard, the science fiction writer and self-styled religious leader. It was also obvious to her fellow Scientologists that Lisa McPherson had cracked up. 'Out of control,' one wrote.

"Within 17 days, McPherson -- who'd spent most of her adult life and tens of thousands of dollars as a devotee of Hubbard's teachings -- would be dead. The once-voluptuous 36-year-old -- she stood 5 feet 9 and wore a size 12 dress -- lost an estimated 40 to 50 pounds during the ordeal, dropping to 108, her bruised body pocked by insect bites and scabs.

"This weekend, to mark the anniversary of McPherson's death, Scientology defectors and other activists picketed near the Fort Harrison Hotel. Since its founding 45 years ago, the Church of Scientology has endured more than its share of bad publicity, but the McPherson case puts on stark display a side of the religion far removed from the glowing testimonials it receives from Hollywood adherents like John Travolta, Tom Cruise and Isaac Hayes. If, as Hubbard decreed, the ultimate aim of Scientology is its adherents' 'total freedom' and 'survival,' then what went wrong in the case of Lisa McPherson?"

Scientology released a press statement on the McPherson case.

"Earlier allegations had been made about the Church insinuating that they intended harm to Lisa McPherson. Indeed, allegations were even made that the Church intended her harm because of her alleged desire to 'leave the church.' The recent action by the State of Florida, once and for all, puts an end to those allegations. No claim is made that the Church, or any of its members, ever intended Lisa any harm. The evidence also showed that there was never an attempt by Lisa McPherson to 'leave the Church.'

"As regards the thirty protesters, everybody knows that these are 'critics' of the Church and as with any religion they are prone to have a very biased and slanted view. Their numbers are few, they come from out of town, they aren't part of this community and they don't represent the views of this community. Their press statements are manifestly hateful such as they have 'occupied' Clearwater and pickets to honk if one 'hates' Scientology. Such statements have no place in America or Clearwater."

Jesse Prince described some of the pickets held at the Fort Harrison throughout the week.

"I joined Bob and Stacy in a picket of the Fort Harrison and as soon as the scientology security guards saw us they quickly herded the super Human person wanna be's away. Dark paper had been put in the windows of the hotel to prevent any ability to see in or out. The next day Arnie Lerma joined the picket. Arnie went along the side of the Ft. Harrison where the swimming pool is with his picket sign. He then started to peek into the cracks of the 'no see' barriers newly constructed that day. Each time Arnie was able to see anyone on the other side he would say 'No OT's here!' It was this basic simple truth that I found almost endlessly humorous. Arnie never said it in a malicious or mocking manner. I saw Arnie say it to one of the security guards and he also added 'If there was one OT in this building (FT. Harrison) none of this would be happening.' When he said it, time stood still for the Scientologist. They were utterly speechless with very blank faces.

"As the week went on more and more ARSCC members arrived and it started to feel like a big family reunion. I met some of the most amazing people that I had previously only heard of but never had a face to face with. Well there was Jerry Armstrong who's pre-clear folders I ordered destroyed on orders myself from David Miscavige because a California judge had ordered the folders to be turned over to Armstrong. I met Frank Oliver face to face for the first time and he is a pretty incredible person. I met Sandra and Diane (forgive me for leaving out last names) Patricia and Peter from TFC, Greg H and many other Canadian people. Duncan (Mr. Cool) from the Boston area, CiCi from Texas, April, Frank's girlfriend, Karsten, Rod K, Jeff, Mr. Tilman, Dr. Lottick, Dell and Art, Mr. Dandar and family, Gary S and about fifty other great people. My cup ran over again and again.

"As the days went by the only thing the Scientologist could do was to find more effective ways to hide. So sad."

Jeff Lee also described the pickets.

"Response from the non-Scientologist public was extremely heartening; there was an almost continuous barrage of cheers, honks, thumbs-ups, and other signs of support. Notable things I heard shouted from the cars that passed: 'You're doing the right thing!' 'We want them out!' 'They're a murdering cult!' One of the beautiful sights I saw that day: several city buses driving around bearing huge advertisements for www.xenu.net on their sides, accompanied by various anti-Scientology slogans. These buses, I'm told, had routes all over Clearwater, spreading entheta to the entire city, like giant mobile picket signs.

"They had several plain white vans painted with 'Happy Holidays' and several non-religious holiday symbols (wreaths, bows, candy canes, and so forth) which were driven around by OSA personnel. When stopped at traffic lights, they sat completely immobile, staring straight ahead. When they had to turn onto a street with picketers, they turned *without looking at where they had to go*!

"They were trying to fill up Flag buses with people -- presumably to take them to lunch -- and it was obvious that they were trying to maneuver the streets in such a manner that they would avoid seeing any picketers. So some of us went up to one of the streets behind the Fort Harrison, and sure enough, along came a Flag bus. We could see at least two hundred Sea Orgers packed in like dorm students stuffing a phone booth -- truly less than standing room only.

"The police presence was strong; I counted at least 15 uniformed officers, and more who drove by in cars and vans (and one K-9 unit). The media was out in force; television cameras, newspaper and magazine reporters galore. Naturally, there were Scientology officials giving their point of view. From out of the garage wafted the strains of Christmas Carols. Most of them were secular in nature -- Deck the Halls, White Christmas, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, I think even piano music from 'It's a Charlie Brown Christmas' -- but there was an occasional song where the name 'Christ' was actually mentioned."

Picket report by "Shy David":

"Wherever I went with my SCIENTOLOGY KILLS tee-shirt, people stopped me and expressed their unhappiness at the crime syndicate. Waiters and waitresses at restaurants; a teller at a bank; people at the airport. The support for the critics of the crime syndicate from the Clearwater citizens was and is MASSIVE. While picketing the crime syndicate's 'Sandcastle' franchise, one car stopped beside me, blocking traffic, just so the driver could run out, shake my hand emphatically, and tell me 'God bless you! It's about time! God bless you!' over and over again, before rushing back into her car and driving away."

"Met00" reported a vigil held at the Fort Harrison in the week following the main pickets.

"On Tuesday December 8th, I went to the Clearwater PD ad advised them that I was going to have a vigil of about 2 hours in length in front of the Ft. Harrison. I drove over to the courthouse, parked in the pay lot, put on my Scientology Kills T-shirt and a head covering (a black bandana) and took my flowers and candle to the front of the hotel, where the vans were dropping off members were. The security guards started to swarm. They were talking on radios. Within 10 minutes the vans were no longer stopping there. They tried to engage me, I ignored them. They called the police (and a really nice officer came out and we talked. From 11:30-1:30 I stood there. My head hung. Remembering Lisa. Then I left and walked around the downtown area. I figured I would get a 'Clearwater' T-shirt for my kid. I saw a sundries store and attempted to enter. They advised me I couldn't because of the T-shirt I was wearing."

"CiCiAychar" described the RPF working on decorations for the facade of the Fort Harrison.

"The RPF/EPF was the saddest sight I saw in CW. Did you notice how none of the people had smiles on their faces? None of them looked happy, either. Usually when a group of people are together working on holiday items there's much laughing, joking, talking, singing, you know, camaraderie. That was conspicuous by its very absence. The look in their eyes and indeed the entire atmosphere was one of 'driven-ness' with an underlying uneasiness; I kept expecting each of them to look over his shoulder to try to find out if some spectre's cold finger were poised above it. " The safety of the workers was, as Tilman pointed out, ignored. Those children should never have been using spray paint in that breeze, light as it was, without filter masks, and it is only pure chance that someone wasn't badly injured by using an acetylene torch without gloves and face shield. You can bet that none of them said a word about denied basic safety requirements as set forth by OSHA."

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