Riverside County Activists call for Investigations of INT Base Abuses

[SweetnessandLight]

I can post some news from an activist who wants to remain anonymous:

"Riverside, California-

The Riverside County Sheriff, District Attorney, Grand Jury, Board of Supervisors, State Attorney General and the F.B.I. have been asked to investigate reports of alleged crimes and abuses at Scientology’s world-wide headquarters located in Riverside County.

Human rights advocates are calling for investigation into multiple reports of incarcerations, violent physical assaults, coerced abortions, human trafficking, unsanitary and unsafe living and working conditions, denial of needed medical/dental care and medications, sleep and food deprivation and other crimes by management at the international headquarters of Scientology, located on State Highway 79 in Gilman Hot Springs.

These types of abuses have taken place over decades of time, effecting hundreds of staff members, as witnessed by former long-term executives who held the highest positions in Scientology management.

INT base, also called Gold Base, while disguised as the film production company “Golden Era Productions”, is in reality the secretive world-wide headquarters of the highest level of leadership in Scientology- the para-militaristic Sea Organization, headed by Captain David Miscaviage.

Recent revealing interviews made by multiple survivors of Scientology include some of the highest ranking former executives who have escaped from INT Base, as reported by the L.A. Times, St. Petersburg Times, KABC’s Martin Bashir on Nightline, KESQ’s Nathan Baca and numerous online websites and blogs.

Eye-witnesses recount that among the most damaging of the abusive practices are the mind control processes done in attempt to humiliate, terrorize and control staff using isolation, threats of disconnection- loss of contact with family and friends, incessant repeated accusations and insults, “gang bang security checks”, and group confessional sessions where staff were routinely locked in a room together and screamed at for hours to force them to confess their mistakes, inabilities and thought crimes against their leader and the Scientology group.

Numerous eyewitness reports indicate a pattern and practice of abuses by INT Base management occurring under the direct supervision of Captain David Miscaviage.

Investigations have been initiated and are ongoing."

 

[La La Lou Lou]

NICE ONE!!!!!!!

 

[Mystic]

Right on!

 

[Sandie]

mystic

DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Smilla]

Superb!

 

[FoTi]

(delete) double posted by mistake.

 

[FoTi]

Wonerful, wonerful!!!!!

 

[ScudMuffin]

That looks like a news source quote.

 

[Miss Penguin]

This is great. Is it a news source quote?

 

[Kathy (ImOut)]

'Bout time some government agency(s) looked into this.

 

[Chess]

Tally ho - give 'em heaps.
Nice to see the attention placed where it should be, here's hoping it's all real!

 

[anonymous1312]

I can post some news from an activist who wants to remain anonymous:

"Riverside, California-
<stuff we know>

Investigations have been initiated and are ongoing."

I hope so but I wont hold my breath.

 

[hartley]

The Riverside County Sheriff, District Attorney, Grand Jury, Board of Supervisors, State Attorney General and the F.B.I. have been asked to investigate reports of alleged crimes and abuses at Scientology’s world-wide headquarters located in Riverside County.

That at least will cause agencies to check with each other just to be sure everyone is ignoring this. When the dam breaks and someone does raid the compound they will all want to be there in supporting roles.

A notable feature of the Gold Base protest affair has been that the Supervisors were refusing to do anything that might cause an outside agency to become involved. There are 'crimes to hide' in Riverside, and if the Powers That Be there have the cognition that Scientology is attracting the kind of attention they could do without they will be moving quietly away from it.

 

[Zinjifar]

That at least will cause agencies to check with each other just to be sure everyone is ignoring this. When the dam breaks and someone does raid the compound they will all want to be there in supporting roles.

A notable feature of the Gold Base protest affair has been that the Supervisors were refusing to do anything that might cause an outside agency to become involved. There are 'crimes to hide' in Riverside, and if the Powers That Be there have the cognition that Scientology is attracting the kind of attention they could do without they will be moving quietly away from it.

I would assume that they've been doing that (quietly) for 10 years now at least. Ever since the 'secrecy' of 'Int Base' (as opposed to Golden Era Studios) was compromised.

Actual 'staff' at Int is way down, production has been being moved off-site and, I bet Davey is spending a lot less time there.)

But, where is the new Super Sekrit Int Base II?

Zinj

 

[ScudMuffin]

Are there any docs to back this up? It looks like a news source,which paper? Blog? Looks like it has been written with public consumption in mind.

 

[Zinjifar]

Are there any docs to back this up? It looks like a news source,which paper? Blog? Looks like it has been written with public consumption in mind.

Agreed; it's more or less a wishful thinking PR release, without even the non-existent use of one of the unsubstantiated PR publication sites.

Still, it's not inherently inconceivable. I would *hope* that behind the scenes investigation is ramping up, if only because the agencies involved would be fearful of being caught short when the Cult comes tumbling down.

(also, there's no question that all of the above named agencies *have* been requested to open investigations, although actual (public) reaction has been pretty non-existent)

Zinj

 

[SweetnessandLight]

Where to next?

I would assume that they've been doing that (quietly) for 10 years now at least. Ever since the 'secrecy' of 'Int Base' (as opposed to Golden Era Studios) was compromised.

Actual 'staff' at Int is way down, production has been being moved off-site and, I bet Davey is spending a lot less time there.)

But, where is the new Super Sekrit Int Base II?

Zinj

Rumor has it, in a South American country without extradition agreements with the USofA, or floating around at sea off the coast of South America.

It's deja vu all over again, isn't it!

 

[OTBT]

OP,

This is very good news.

However, since I am a skeptic and cynical of the US Government actually investigating Scientology's repeated, numerous felonies, do you or your source have docs or any outside info to corroborate this?

I believe there are are MANY, MANY people who would support an outside, independent investigation of Gold Base and Scientology Int Management by US Government agencies. But did I mention yet that I am skeptical and cynical.

/ edit - I finally found a reason to make my 100th post on this forum.

 

[SweetnessandLight]

More news...

Here is a news article of interest:

http://www.thevalleychronicle.com/articles/2009/12/18/news/doc4b2bbce16eda1746780144.txt

"Lawsuit alleges abuses at Golden Era

WAGES SOUGHT: Scientology official denies conditions at compound described in the suit.
By CHARLES HAND / The Valley Chronicle
Published: Friday, December 18, 2009 1:11 PM CST
A lawsuit seeking unspecified back wages describes the Scientology compound outside San Jacinto as a virtual prison camp in which workers are forced to put in long hours in exchange for little pay, to give up their children to a boarding school where they are taught only about Scientology, and to give up their right to communicate with those on the outside.

Scientology spokeswoman Catherine Fraser declined an interview to discuss the allegations and asked for a list of questions in writing. She declined to answer questions about the lawsuit, saying she would answer only general questions about living conditions at Golden Era Productions.

Fraser said Scientology officials could not answer the other questions because they had not been served with the suit.

Nonetheless, she said in a written response: “With regards to your other outrageous questions about our staff, they are categorically denied.”

Barry Van Sickle, a Roseville attorney representing John Lindstein, acknowledged notice has not been served on officials at Gold Base, as the San Jacinto Scientology compound is known in some circles, but he has spoken repeatedly with officials and their attorneys.

Van Sickle said he has told the Scientology lawyers he plans to turn the complaint into a class action to represent not only Lindstein, but other former workers at the compound.

In a complaint filed with the California Superior Court in Los Angeles, Van Sickle accuses Scientology officials of human trafficking, violations of wage and hour laws, and illegal business practices primarily regarding labor issues.

In the suit, Lindstein alleges that he was separated from his parents when he was 8 years old and sent to a boarding school, where he was denied a general education and given books by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard to read.

Fraser said the school was closed 10 years ago when there were no more children of Scientologists to educate.

She said her own son attended the school and she knows he was doing well “because I saw him and he looked great.”

He is now grown and working overseas, she said.

“The children who attended this school performed physical chores like most other children, but were never forced to engage in any manual labor that was either unsafe or prohibited by law,” said Fraser in her written response.

Lindstein alleges that, as a minor, he was put to work at physical labor, including construction jobs, for long hours, sometimes so long that he was deprived of sleep.

When he was older, he was assigned to the movie production studio the Scientologists operate there and forced to work long days, sometimes 24 hours at a time, transferring L. Ron Hubbard material from film to digital disks, according to the lawsuit.

“This was tedious frame-by-frame work that would normally cost more than $400,000 per movie to accomplish at industry rates,” says the court complaint. “Plaintiff and his crew of five did this for only $50 per week, thus saving defendants thousands of dollars.”

“Golden Era Productions does not use child labor and complies with all labor laws,” Fraser said in her written response. “The youngest Sea Org member currently is 26 years old.”

The Sea Org, short for Sea Organization, is the Church of Scientology’s religious order.

Lindstein contends in his lawsuit that he was virtually imprisoned at the San Jacinto compound, unable to leave without permission.

His mail was censored, he contends.

Fraser denied anyone is held at the compound against their will. Another Scientology representative, Muriel Dufresne, said those living at the compound are not denied contact with the outside world.

On the other hand, said Dufresne, she would not allow a reporter from The Valley Chronicle access to the compound or allow a reporter to talk with the people living and working there without interference.

“Golden Era does not permit unsupervised tours of its facilities,” said Fraser in her written response to questions about the lawsuit. “I don’t know of any religious order that would permit non members, let alone a reporter, to wander the property unsupervised. I would be happy to provide a tour at a mutually convenient time.”

Both Dufresne and Fraser conceded that the compound is enclosed by fences, parts of which have sharp metal prongs that appeared to be intended to wound anyone trying to get over the fences.

Fraser said the brand name of the devices is Ultra Barrier.

They are not installed on all the fences.

Fraser said they are mostly on the back portion of the 500 acres to prevent people and animals from intruding.

A location accessible by public roads has the Ultra Barrier mounted on the inside of the fence, however.

The compound’s perimeter is also monitored by cameras, lights, and what appear to be motion or sound detectors mounted on the fence posts.

Though Fraser would not discuss the possible presence of motion or sound detectors, Lindstein’s lawsuit said the sensors are intended to detect attempts to leave the compound without permission.

Anyone caught trying to leave, says the suit, is subjected to emotional and physical harassment, including corporal punishment.

Fraser conceded Scientologists use cameras to monitor the perimeter, as well as the public property of Gilman Springs Road, which bisects the compound and connects Highway 60 and Lamb Canyon with State Street just north of San Jacinto.

“If you had visited any of the major (movie) studios in Los Angeles, you would have seen that they resemble fortresses, with thick high walls and massive gates,” Fraser wrote. “This look would not integrate well with the rest of the valley. We do, however have the same security concerns as do those studios ...”

Scientologists, citing safety concerns, are trying to get Gilman Springs Road closed so they can end public use."

-END-

Can anybody refute MD's statement that the current youngest Sea Org member is 26 years old? I'll be willing to bet they have many younger SO members than that, although they may have shipped them all out of INT Base in anticipation of ongoing government scrutiny or raids. Pretty soon it will be a skeleton crew there! (Not just because of the enforced rice and beans only diet!)

All it takes it one search warrant. Of course, it's easy to falsify papers regarding legal work permits, religious worker visas, meeting educational standards, etc. Several testifiers to that here on this board alone, much less Ex-Scientology Kids website.

Anybody have a relative or friend in SO who is under 26? Chime in!

Please write to the news article author, Mr. Hand, and tell him of your personal experiences, or those of your family and friends, at INT Base.

Do some good with your insider knowledge! Now is the time to speak up to the media and law enforcement!

"Fraser denied anyone is held at the compound against their will. Another Scientology representative, Muriel Dufresne, said those living at the compound are not denied contact with the outside world.

On the other hand, said Dufresne, she would not allow a reporter from The Valley Chronicle access to the compound or allow a reporter to talk with the people living and working there without interference."

Ah hah! So, anybody tried talking with or visiting with friends or family locked inside INT Base lately, without success? Please contact Mr. Hand and tell him of your experiences of interference with comm or your experiences with disconnection. Thanks!

Marcus, can you contact him and tell him of Uwe's story, and your families efforts to contact him and get visits with him while he was still alive?

"Van Sickle said he has told the Scientology lawyers he plans to turn the complaint into a class action to represent not only Lindstein, but other former workers at the compound."

Finally, the class-action lawsuit I've been waiting for... Ex Sea Org, tell your friends and networks!

 

[La La Lou Lou]

Can't someone persuade the red cross to go in, they did it with the camps in eastern europe a while back. Local health officials? Local council?

They could investigate, especially if briefed before hand.