Until about a year ago, William Gude had no issues with the Church of Scientology.
The self-proclaimed cop watcher and activist better known by his social media handle @FilmThePoliceLA did not understand why the L.A.-based religion started by L. Ron Hubbard got so much flak.
That was until Gude tried to record video of police making an arrest outside one of Scientology’s buildings last year. Gude alleges he was harassed by Scientology security guards who told him he could not shoot video on the public sidewalk. Although the allegation pales in comparison with others against the church, it set Gude off.
“I told them, ‘I’m going to end your religion,’” Gude said in an interview.
Now, Gude and his gaggle of anti-Scientology protesters are brawling publicly with the organization. They’ve demonstrated outside its major facilities as well as those of businesses perceived to be cozy with Scientology. Sometimes a hundred or more people show up at the protests, Gude said. They say the church has tried to stop them — called the police on them and sent people out to harass them.
The tactics of the protesters can be aggravating to their targets: They approach Scientology properties and yell at and record people, though they do so on public property, which is legal.
“There is a war going on,” Gude said.
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-02-21/anti-scientology-protests-lead-to-arrests-and-attacks-theres-a-war-going-on
I'm going to help the people in this war.
