Anonymous Anounces "Operation: Reconnect"

dublin | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Saturday April 12, 2008 10:05

by Anonymous

anonymousireland at gmail dot com

This Saturday the collective known as Anonymous launch "Operation: Reconnect" as a worldwide protest against the Church of Scientology. This initiative is designed to bring together families who have been torn apart and injured by the Church of Scientology's practice of Disconnection. From 11am (local time) onwards, thousands of Anonymous shall take to the streets in a peaceful global protest at over 100 of Church of Scientology centres around the world, including the Mission of Dublin Ltd on 62/63 Middle Abbey Street.

Since declaring opposition to the Church of Scientology in January 2008, Anonymous have exploded into a widespread and unprecedented movement, garnering support from all corners of the internet and across the globe. Operation: Reconnect focuses on the Church of Scientology's practice of Disconnection, which requires its members to cease all communication with family and friends deemed to be critical of the organisation. This practice separates children from their parents, brothers from sisters, and husbands from wives. This protest is also an attempt to let those still inside Scientology know that they are missed and loved by their families and friends, who want them to return home. There are many stories of this tragic policy in action, some of which are to be found at http://www.ExScientologyKids.com , a site maintained by disconnected relatives of the Church of Scientology’s leaders. During the event victims of Disconnection shall tell their stories.

Anonymous include concerned citizens from all walks of life, from former Scientologists and long-time cult activists, to college students and corporate professionals. Free of leadership, hierarchy, and dogma, Anonymous are a unique expression of the universal ideal of justice. Anonymous have been called a "cyber vigilante group" by The Toronto Sun[1], "internet activists" by The Economist[2], and "the latest thorn in Scientology's side" by Newsweek[3]. Despite peaceful, non-violent protests by 7,500 people on the 10th of February, and more than 10,000 on the 15th of March, the Church itself has called Anonymous "cyber-terrorists...reminiscent of Al Qaeda spreading anti-American hatred and calling for U.S. destruction[4]." Anonymous encourage all Scientologists who have been disconnected to build up the courage to contact their families, and to leave the Church.

'The act of helping someone is not in offering the hand of help. It is in providing enough support, understanding and care so that they may be able to take it.' - Anonymous

12-04-2008
Assembly from 11:00
62/63 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1

Information packet:
http://img1.anonbw.com/press/GoldInfoPack.pdf

References:
[1] http://torontosun.com/News/TorontoAndGTA/2007/12/07/471....html
[2] http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaysto...09174
[3] http://www.newsweek.com/id/109410
[4] http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-sciento...story

Anonymous: Project Chanology Information:
— http://www.goanonymous.org
— http://www.ExScientologyKids.com
— http://www.enturbulation.org
— http://www.unfairgame.net
— http://www.whyweprotest.net
— http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Chanology

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For more information about Operation: Reconnect, or to schedule an interview, please e-mail [email protected]