 |
Bay News 9
Local Programming
On Demand
About
Community
Market Place
Services
Hundreds protest the Church of Scientology
Some Anonymous protestors disguised their faces with bandanas.
PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- A group calling itself "Anonymous" gathered worldwide Sunday to protest the Church of Scientology.
Hundreds of protestors surrounded downtown Clearwater around Scientology buildings.
The pickets were sparked by scientologists urging Youtube to take away a video of scientologist Tom Cruise talking at an event.
Scientologists say they wanted to protect their copyright. The Anonymous protestors say that infringes on free speech.
"And by them denying people of that, their basic right to freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of information, we just do not believe that is right," said Clearwater protest organizer Joshua Nussbaum.
The group is made up mostly of teenagers and young adults.
Meanwhile, the Church's Director of Public Affairs, Pat Harney, said they do allow free speech.
"They are just whipping people up into a frenzy about something to discriminate against my stated religious beliefs," Harney said.
As for the protestors attending the event incognito, Harney said "well, I think that's cowardly."
The protesters say they're afraid of being threatened for their free speech.
More Pinellas County Stories
- Another obstacle for the Rays' stadium plans?
- Armed robbery suspect arrested, hospitalized
- Polk woman loses 'ministry' to fire
- Civil rights legend calling for change again
- EXCLUSIVE: Bolleas visit Nick in jail
- School board votes to make uniforms mandatory
- Dead ducks alarming Pinellas residents
- Bush leads nation's observance of Memorial Day
- Brooke Bollea unhurt in crash on Bayside Bridge
Be a BayNews9.com 'Insider'
Do you want to be a BayNews9.com 'Insider'? Get the scoop on what's inside BayNews9.com by reading InsideBayNews9.com.
Viewer's Choice Local Hero of the Year
Cast your vote for a local Everyday Hero. Choose from six candidates who have done extraordinary work in the Tampa Bay area.
Select the size text you want to use to view www.baynews9.com from the choices below.
MS Bike Ride
Dates: Saturday, April 26th and Sunday, April 27th
Bike from Cypress Gardens to Sea World and back
Bay News 9's Partners
 |  |  |  |
Become An Asterisk Hunter!
At Bright House Networks, we prefer to keep things simple.So the next time you're looking for TV, home phone and Internet service with a 30-day, money-back guarantee, but without the fine print surprises, call
1-866-976-EASY.
Learn more at AsteriskHunters.com.
