September 11, 1999 - Gregg

Hi lights:
Super weather for the picket and Film Festival!
Flyer count was about 1000. ( incl. 800 RXspecials)
Morning crew: Gregg H., Ron S., Alan B & ex members Mike Argue and David Palter.
Afternoon: Gregg, Ron and Mike.
Chris Wood was absent on business, so I Captained.
GypsyBlue was caught in scheduling conflicts.

A great day, but it started off rough with the Cop the Co$ has to hire to keep their people in order. The Officer (older man near retirement) had been fed a lot of bull, by the Co$, about the picketers and bought most of it at first. Once more we had to deal with changed rules. [After two years the Co$ suddenly *discovers* their property line goes out as far as their over head signage sticks out. We checked on this two years ago and found this claim at that time, to be bogus. However, I just shrugged off this claim as a minor impediment and told our people to stay out from under.] The Cop sternly told me I would be arrested if I or the Picketers "trespassed". I politely told him he had better call his superiors first, before he accepted the claim of any Co$ member as the Co$ has a policy of lying for harassment purposes. I also informed the Cop this was a new twist after two years of pickets and reminded him just *why* he was getting such easy duty: Co$ false reporting to the Police of picketer "infractions". Cop seemed nonplussed I wasn't cowering.

Cop next told me I had to have a permit for the bull horn. (Trouble was, I haven't brought or used the bull horn this year. I find I don't need it.)I pointed out to the cop I had no bull horn, but if I did, I wouldn't need a permit for the use I put it to. He told me I had to have a permit and have it with me. I told him, while the point was moot as I had no Bull Horn, he had better check with his superiors, as I used the B. H all of the first year of pickets with no problem from anyone but the Co$. I also don't need to carry a copy of our Demonstration Notice, which notes a MegaPhone may be used, as it was on file already, *as a courtesy by us* with the Police. Then I quietly told the Cop he was being used by the Co$ to harass us and it wouldn't work. I gave him the name of the supposed "liason" Officer and suggested he contact him and find out what public mischief the Co$ was upto to as usual.

I then politely explained the Co$hacks usual methods of trying to incite trouble and what he should look for since he was in place at Co$ expense, not mine, to keep order.

About then the penny dropped and the Officer realised he had been had by the Co$. While the others started to picket, I spent a little time with the Officer and talked about the Raid, why it had been mishandled, Casey Hill, the Co$ staff and Coprorate Criminal Convictions and fines, and the OSA and its continuing immoral, unethical and likely illegal operations. The entire time I was schmoozing with the Officer, I was hoding a picket sign and handing out flyers ***and I was standing under the overhead sign to do so.*** We parted amicably and we had no problems. I did see the Officer giving Dan and Andy seperate lectures on shenangigans they tried on Mike, but this was minor stuff.

We had cool clear weather and a constant flow of locals and tourists gong to the various locations of the Toronto Film Fest.

I had a few "talks" with culties but most of the day I spent quietly offering and handing out the RXSpecial with Co$ Crimes on the reverse. Please note: I try to avoid saying 'church' in relation to Scientology. IMHO they are not a house of worship, but a ruthless and often emotionally and psychologically brutal retailer. So I use the word Cult to passersby. "Cult Crimes", "Cult Embarassing Secrets", "Cult of Scientology", etc. This quickly identfies us as not pro Co$ and increases the number of flyers handed out (sometime snatched)to passersby.

The presence of two ex staffers, Mike and Dave also unnerved some Co$ staff. Particularly when several more exPublics and exStaff, (known to the few Co$hacks left at the Org), made big shows of stopping and talking encouragingly to Mike and Dave.

Mike and Dave want to start the Canadian Chapter of FSSO: Former Scientologists Speaking Out.

I think their ranks are going to swell. :)

Peter Ramsay also put in an appearance. I even talked to him briefly and quietly. He told me to "f--- off" and boasted he had sent more letters to the Crown about me and to my wifes' employer, the Toronto Board of Education. He also boasted he would be in court for my sons next appearance (#18). I called him a sacrificial lamb and invited him to send me copies of his lies and libels, so my lawyers could have a good laugh at his and the Co$ folly. As usual Peter claimed he could prove everything he said about me.

Now that would be interesting.

Poor man.
He has my pity.

Next picket is October 16 with special "guests".
Don't miss it!