Scientology had it's New Year Event at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on 27 December 2009. Concerned about the continued abuse of street and sidewalk closure permits I arrived shortly after noon to see they had a public sidewalk blocked. The sidewalk permit did not allow them to place items on sidewalk until 3pm nor does the permit allow them to close a sidewalk to the general public.
As I walked down Royal Street to photograph how they blocked the sidewalk, Scientology's Jason True, a Sea Org member and the member of PAC security followed me and stepped in front of me to block my movement. He accused me of assault and said he was calling the police.
Royal Street
Jason True called the police.
Sidewalk blocked at 12:15
Sidewalk blocked at 12:15
Sidewalk blocked at 12:15 from Jefferson Blvd.
Sidewalk blocked at 12:15 from Jefferson Blvd.
OSA's Kristen Caetano, Jason True and another PAC Security Sea Org member complain to the LAPD.
The LAPD officer told me that they were taking no action, that there was not crime committed and they recognized the Jason True had tried to provoke me.
Shortly after 4PM, I and another person held signs on 32nd Street opposing the Scientology's policy of Disconnection that breaks up families.
We received many signs of support.
Several men gave us the thumbs up and shouted, "We believe in Jesus. We are just working here tonight."
A special overtime detail of the LAPD arrived. OSA's Wayne Carnahan from PAC spoke to officers about their event.
Scientologists block the sidewalk on 32nd Street
As people gathered before on Royal Street before the event, 2 more protesters joined us.
I asked a Sergeant from the LAPD special detail what would happen if I or the other protesters were to walk on the south sidewalk of 32nd Street and he replied, "You would be arrested".
Buses arrived to drop of Sea Org member and public members. One bus unloaded passengers exactly where the protesters were standing. The bus drive got out of the bus and gave us a thumbs-up sign. Scientologists working the event ran over and tried to stop the passengers from getting off the bus. After half the passengers were off, the event staff member ordered the remaining passengers to stay on the bus and for the bus to turn around and unload the passengers on the other side of the street.
The other protesters and I went over to Jefferson Blvd.
Scientologists blocking the north side Jefferson Blvd's public sidewalk.
On the Jefferson Boulevard sidewalk at Royal Street, people going to the event walked from a USC parking garage and waited for to cross the street. Tim Armer and Patty Baber, members of Scientology's OT Committee came over both with several helium balloons. As I walked down the sidewalk, Tim got in front of me very close and Patty behind walked behind me. Tim tried slowed down and stopped to block my ability to walk on a public sidewalk.
I went back to the intersection and summoned the police across the street. A detective on the special detail told me he saw what they did that they would be getting telephone call very soon. Just them Tim Armer's cell phone rang. I told the detective we were trying to avoid problems and thanked him for his help.
There were 5 protesters at this point. One protester, a former Sea Org member who had been posted at INT, said he liked being able to talk with people going to the event about his experiences with David Miscaviage.
After 7PM the event attendees were in the Shrine.
Buses that shuttled public Scientologists from PAC wait outside the Exhibition Hall.
Thanks go to everyone who showed up to protest.
I wish everyone a happy new year!