4 Jul 2000

"ACT" <noclams@canberra.au>

Adelaide Org, South Australia, 1 July 2000.

Picketers: my friend Darren and myself
Banner: "$cientology Despises Free Speech"
Handler: some bald guy
Clams: 2 sea org ladies, bald guy

The Scientologists were very on-edge at the Adelaide Org. Darren and I could barely approach the Org without some Sea Org member emerging, patrolling around the street and going back inside the Org. Darren walked past the Org, by himself, without the video camera or sign. I did the same. The Scientologists must have clocked us from my SP photos taken outside the Canberra Org. Soon enough a handler snuck up behind us, remarked "that's not a very professional sign. You're breaking the law. I'm going to call the Council." We crossed the street and began filming the Church. The Adelaide Org is pretty good, in that you can film most of the activity on the ground floor.

Scientology indeed despised free speech. They made good on their promise to contact the Adelaide City Council. A council officer soon appeared to move me and my friend on, even though we had police permission to be there, and we weren't blocking the pavement or behaving offensively. Needless to say, I 'm exchanging words with the Council over the legality of the Council's by-law requiring people to pay for a permit in order to hold protests or gatherings. It turns out today that the Council acted excessively, because we weren't blocking traffic.

I'm back in Canberra now. See you soon, Lara.

Love,
ACT