The Collegian

Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: News

Half a dozen Hillsdale College students joined a worldwide protest against the Church of Scientology Feb. 10, said a Hillsdale student who participated in the protest.

The Hillsdale students were among roughly 100 protestors in Farmington Hills, Mich., one of 80 cities which saw protests that day.

As widely covered by Metro Detroit media, protesters wore masks and covered their license plates with snow to prevent church members from retaliating.

A group called "Anonymous" organized the events. The group of cyber-geeks typically plays pranks for personal thrills. Members of the group remain anonymous to avoid reprisals. A Hillsdale student, who spoke with The Collegian on condition of anonymity, confirmed the presence of Hillsdale students at the protest.

Farmington Hills Police Chief William Dwyer said protest organizers checked with local authorities to ensure their actions, such as wearing masks, were lawful.

"They were very orderly, and they did an excellent job," Dwyer said. "Probably better than most [protests]."

After a private, copyrighted scientology video featuring Tom Cruise was leaked on the Internet, the Church of Scientology issued a cease and desist order to Web sites violating the copyright. That's when Anonymous declared "war" on the Church of Scientology for its practices and suppression of free speech.

A recent YouTube video expresses the organization's goal, stating:

"For the good of your followers, for the good of mankind and for our own enjoyment, we shall proceed to expel you from the Internet and systematically dismantle the Church of Scientology in its present form."

The group chose the Feb. 10 date for the protests in honor of Lisa McPherson's birthday, a woman who they allege died from scientology's practices.

Anticipating the protest, the Church of Scientology issued a statement on Feb.8.

The statement characterized the protesters as cyber-terrorists who perpetrate hate crimes from religious bigotry. It also lists wrongs committed against the church by Anonymous, including Web hacking, harassment, phone and e-mail threats, and various envelopes with white powder.

This protest was the first major move of Anonymous' short-term actions to repeal the Church of Scientology's tax exempt status.

Some scientologists attempted to blend in with the protesters to discredit them, but they were easily deterred, the Hillsdale student said.

"Anonymous" was first recognized by the media in July 2007 as a group of cyber-terrorists who prank unwelcome guests on Internet forums. However, their recent activity demonstrates increased organization.

Another protest is planned for March 15 in honor of Church of Scientology founder and science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard's birthday, according to the Web sites of Anonymous.

More students from Hillsdale have expressed interest in protesting, the Hillsdale student said.

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