"We are Anonymous. We are legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget."

[mothwing]

How scary is that?
Apparently a group of individuals (their blog)has been planning a protest against Scientology and fighting them online for ... maybe two weeks now, I'm not sure when it started, but I'm probably late as usual. The group - Anonymous - is planning a world-wide protest in front of Scientology churches on the 10th of February.

NBC News:

The Tom Cruise video that prompted all this:

"We are the authorities of the mind... We are the way to happiness."

"When you're a Scientologist, and you drive by an accident, you know you have to do something about it, because you know you're the only one who can really help. We are the authorities on getting people off drugs. We are the authorities on the mind.... We are the way to happiness. We can bring peace and unite cultures. Now is the time. Being a Scientologist. People are turning to you. If you are a Scientologist, you see things the way they are, in all their glory, in all their complexity... It's rough and tumble. It's wild and woolly. It's a blast. It really is. It is fun. Because damn it, there is nothing better than going out there and fighting the fight, and suddenly you see -- boom! -- things are better. I want to know that I've done everything I can do, every day... I do what I can. And I do it the way I do everything."

Quoth Anonymous:

"Knowledge is free. We are Anonymous. We are legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget. Expect us."

Hello, Scientology. We are Anonymous.

Over the years, we have been watching you. Your campaigns of misinformation; suppression of dissent; your litigious nature, all of these things have caught our eye. With the leakage of your latest propaganda video into mainstream circulation, the extent of your malign influence over those who trust you, who call you leader, has been made clear to us. Anonymous has therefore decided that your organization should be destroyed. For the good of your followers, for the good of mankind--for the laughs--we shall expel you from the Internet and systematically dismantle the Church of Scientology in its present form. We acknowledge you as a serious opponent, and we are prepared for a long, long campaign. You will not prevail forever against the angry masses of the body politic. Your methods, hypocrisy, and the artlessness of your organization have sounded its death knell.

You cannot hide; we are everywhere.

We cannot die; we are forever. We're getting bigger every day--and solely by the force of our ideas, malicious and hostile as they often are. If you want another name for your opponent, then call us Legion, for we are many.
Yet for all that we are not as monstrous as you are; still our methods are a parallel to your own. Doubtless you will use the Anon's actions as an example of the persecution you have so long warned your followers would come; this is acceptable. In fact, it is encouraged. We are your SPs.

Gradually as we merge our pulse with that of your "Church", the suppression of your followers will become increasingly difficult to maintain. Believers will wake, and see that salvation has no price. They will know that the stress, the frustration that they feel is not something that may be blamed upon Anonymous. No--they will see that it stems from a source far closer to each. Yes, we are SPs. But the sum of suppression we could ever muster is eclipsed by that of the RTC.
Knowledge is free.

We are Anonymous.
We are Legion.
We do not forgive.
WE DO NOT FORGET.
Expect us.

And No. 2:

"We want you to be aware of the very real dangers of Scientology. We want you to know about the gross human rights violations committed by this cult. We want you to know about Lisa McPhearson."

02/10/08
11:00 AM
Worldwide


It has come to the attention of Anonymous that there are a number of you out there who do not clearly understand what we are or why we have undertaken our present course of action.

Contrary to the assumptions of the media, Anonymous is not simply "a group of super hackers". Anonymous is a collective of individuals united by an awareness that someone must do the right thing, that someone must bring light to the darkness, that someone must open the eyes of a public that has slumbered for far too long.

Among our numbers you will find individuals from all walks of life - lawyers, parents, IT professionals, members of law enforcement, college students, veterinary technicians and more. Anonymous is everyone and everywhere. We have no leaders, no single entity directing us - only the collective outrage of individuals, guiding our hand in the current efforts to bring awareness.

We want you to be aware of the very real dangers of Scientology.
We want you to know about the gross human rights violations committed by this cult.
We want you to know about Lisa McPhearson.
We want you to know about former members of Scientology's private navy, SeaOrg, who were forced to have abortions so that they could continue in service to the church.
We want you to know about Scientology's use of child labor and their gulags.
We want you to know about Operation Freakout and Paulette Cooper.
We want you to know about Operation Snow White and Scientology's efforts to infiltrate the government of the United States of America.
We want you to know about all of these things that have been swept under the rug for far too long.

The information is out there. It is yours for the taking. Arm yourself with knowledge. Be very wary of the 10th of February.
Anonymous invites you to join us in an act of solidarity.
Anonymous invites you to take up the banner of free speech, of human rights, of family and freedom.

Join us in protest outside of Scientology centers world wide.

We are Anonymous.

We are Legion.

We do not forgive.

We do not forget.

We will be heard.

Expect us.

And, in case you think about going, this is the code of conduct:

Anonymous's reaction to the News coverage:

Dear News Organizations.
We have been watching your reporting of Anonymous's Conflict with The Church of Scientology.

As you said. The so called, Church of Scientology, have actively misused copyright, and trademark law, in pursuit of its own agenda. They attempt, not only to subvert free speech, but to recklessly pervert justice to silence those who speak out against them.

We find it interesting that you did not mention the other objections in your news reporting.

The stifling and punishment of dissent. within the totalitarian organization of Scientology.

The numerous, alleged human rights violations. Such as the treatment and events that led to the deaths of victims of the cult such as Lisa McPherson.
This Cult is Nothing but a psychotically driven pyramid scheme.

Why are you. The news media. Afraid of discussing these matters? It is your duty to report on these matters. You are Failing in your Duty.
Their activities make them an affront to freedom.

Remember. All that is necessary. For the triumph of evil. Is that good men do nothing.

This information is Everywhere.
It is your Duty to expose it.

It is easy to find.

Google is your friend. This is not Religious Persecution. But the suppression of a powerful, criminal fascist regime.

It is left to Anonymous. The Church has been declared Fair Game. It will be dismantled and destroyed.

"When Anonymous, sees an evil fascist brainwashing organization. Anonymous knows, it has to help mankind. Because Anonymous knows that it is only Anonymous that can help."

Members of the Church. Anonymous is not your enemy. The Church of Scientology is your enemy. The Church has enslaved you. Free Yourselves.

Change, does not roll in, on the wheels of inevitability. But comes through continuous struggle. Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor. It must be demanded by the oppressed.

Take it. Demand it.
We are Anonymous.
We are Legion.
We do not Forgive.
We do not Forget.
This is only the beginning.
Expect us.

Oh, and a video No.3

Whoa. This is so... Matrixy.
I kind of want to go to see what happens on the 10th.
Oh, also, they actually seem to have been able to access data from the Scientology servers. o.O
Here is a German article with a link list, and here's a German report on RTL.

Oh, here's a world map listing all the events. o.O

Comments

[bronnyelsp.livejournal.com]

Wow. Watched it all and just, wow. There seems to be some high-falutin' rhetoric on both sides, tbh. I think Scientology is well dodgy, but am not entirely convinced that it is the incarnation of all that's evil. Funnily enough, the press here seem to have caught on -- the Guardian ran an article today although they're depicting Anonymous the way they say they don't want to be depicted, as a motley annoyed group of hackers. They also don't mention most of the more heinous human rights abuses alleged by Anonoymous, which makes me suspicious of those allegations.

[mothwing.livejournal.com]

Hm. The Guardian, being generally trustworthy, is probably right. I don't believe Scientology is the root of all evil, either, but I do think that what they do is wrong enough on so many levels that it's fair to be well creeped out by them - even without dead bodies. Whether this warrants a large-scale international demonstration is another thing, but even without heinous crimes I have to say that I am creeped enough by this sect to sympathise with demonstrants.
The evidence provided by Anonymous did not entirely convince me, either, though, especially because I fail to see possible motives of Scientology in, for example, the McPherson case.

What really floored me about this is the readiness with which other organisations against Scientology world wide seem to have cottoned on. The amount of those yellow balloons on the map is pretty striking, after only two weeks and considering how international the entire thing is. I'm definitely curious what'll happen. If anything will happen.