Date Sent: 2008-04-08

ANONYMOUS PROTESTS THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY'S POLICY OF "DISCONNECTING" FAMILIES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ANONYMOUS PROTESTS THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY'S POLICY OF "DISCONNECTING" FAMILIES

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA. APRIL 8, 2008 . Thousands of anonymous citizens in hundreds of cities world-wide will take to the streets at 11 a.m. local time on Saturday, April 12th in a peaceful protest to launch "Operation Reconnect". Operation Reconnect is an initiative designed to bring together families who have been torn apart and injured by the Church of Scientology's Disconnection Policy.

The Internet collective known as Anonymous, and its associates in the Project Chanology will gather before Scientology organizations around the world for the third time in as many months to educate the public about Scientology's practice of Disconnection. The Disconnection Policy isolates Scientologists by requiring them to stop all communication with family members or friends who are critical of Scientology[1]. This protest is also an attempt to let those still inside Scientology know that they are missed and loved by their families and friends, who want them to return home.

The Anonymous Movement has become a widespread and unprecedented initiative that is free of leadership and has become a cultural phenomenon. Known for their Guy Fawkes masks, suits, and party-like protests Anonymous has been widely featured in print, broadcast and internet media. Anonymous has been called a "Cyber Vigilante Group" by The Toronto Sun[2], "Internet Activists" by The Economist[3], and "...the latest thorn in Scientology's side" by Newsweek[4].

Despite worldwide non-violent protests by 7,500 people on Feb. 10th and more than 10,000 on March 15th, the Church of Scientology insists upon calling Anonymous "cyberterrorists [...] reminiscent of Al Qaeda spreading anti-American hatred and calling for U.S. destruction."[5]

Citizens of the world are invited to join the Anonymous protests. Where permitted by law, facial covering is recommended for anyone participating in demonstrations. Disguise serves as a defense against the Organization of Scientology's long and well-documented history of silencing critics by means of intimidation and persecution, legal and otherwise. Despite having taken precautions to preserve their anonymity, many protesters have reported that they have been followed, harassed, and intimidated after previous protests. Three protesters were arrested on false charges claimed by Scientology.

About Anonymous:

From former Scientologists and longtime cult activists, to college students and corporate professionals, Anonymous is comprised of concerned citizens from all walks of life who believe personal identity is irrelevant to the discussion of ideas. Anonymous has launched previous campaigns against various White Supremacy entities, and played a major role in the capture of Canadian pedophile Chris Forcand[6].

In January 2008 Anonymous declared war on the Church of Scientology, citing its illegal and outrageous acts throughout the whole half a century of its existence. This war is now waged through the infiltration and dissection of the Scientology Organization, and the education of the general public about its true nature, abuses and crimes.

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Contact Anonymous:

Anonymous can be contacted by replying to this email. The Press and General Public may observe and contact participants on the forums of enturbulation.org[7]

More Information on this Anonymous Campaign can be found at WhyWeProtest.net[8]

Download Anonymous Gold Info Pack in PDF Format:
http://img1.anonbw.com/press/GoldInfoPack.pdf

Download this Press Release in PDF Format:
http://img1.anonbw.com/press/AprilReconnect.pdf

Promotional Videos:
OPERATION RECONNECT TRAILER: http://img1.anonbw.com/press/Reconnect.wmv

Project Chanology : The Story So Far THE ROAD TO 10th FEB: http://www.dailymotion.com/SA-Anonymous/video/7341208
ONWARD THE ROAD TO MARCH 15TH: http://www.vimeo.com/855548

References:
[1] Scientology's Official Document about "PTSness and Disconnection"
[2] TorontoSun.com - Toronto And GTA - Man trolled the web for girls: Cops
[3] Scientology | Fair game | Economist.com
[4] 'Anonymous' Takes on Scientology | Newsweek Technology | Newsweek.com
[5] Scientology taking hits online - Los Angeles Times
[6] Internet Justice
[7] Enturbulation.org Scientology Activism and Organization
[8] Why We Protest