Scientologists steer clear of protest marking woman's death


[SP Times 6 December 1998]


From: cautious@lurker.com (Cautious)
Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology
Subject: SP Times 12/6/98: Scientologists steer clear of protest marking woman's death
Date: Sun, 06 Dec 1998 17:54:50 -0800

This transcription is thanks to tfcvp:

St. Petersburg Times
Dec. 6, 1998

Scientologists steer clear of protest marking woman's death
by Tom Tobin

Clearwater--Hundreds of Scientologists stayed off the streets of downtown
Saturday, an effort, their leaders said, to avoid contact with about 45
anti-Scientology protesters.
 Visiting parishoners and uniformed church staffers were ferried between
Scientology's building in rented vans. Dark tinted windows and holiday
decorations prevented outsiders from seeing in and passengers from seeing
out.
 At times, staffers were seen scurrying into church buildings, which were
fortified in several ways.  A 5-foot-high masonry wall surrounding much of
Scientology's Fort Harrison Hotel was made 3 feet higher with temporary
lattice and cardboard.  A row of Christmas trees blocked views at another
Scientology hotel. Many entrances were blocked from view. 
 "The church and its members have made an active effort during this week to
avoid any sort of confrontation with protesters, despite having been
taunted and baited continuously", Scientology said in a written statement.
 The protest marked the third anniversary of the death of Lisa McPherson, a
36 year old Scientologist who died in the care of church staffers after a
17 day stay at the Fort Harrison, a Scientology retreat. The church's
Clearwater branch, a worldwide mecca for Scientology, was charged
criminally in the death last month.
  (end of article)



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