Saturday on L. Ron Hubbard Way — Scientology rolled out its sneaky focus on minorities

A couple of weeks ago, we posted some images from this year’s “Maiden Voyage” celebration in the Caribbean. Over three weeks, the faithful at local orgs get a chance to watch some video from the event. On this past Saturday, it was “IAS Night” on L. Ron Hubbard Way in Los Angeles, and we happened to have a correspondent on the scene where the faithful gathered to watch video of dear leader David Miscavige. Here are some of our tipster’s observations of how that shindig went…

 
Nation of Islam Minister Tony Muhammad attended the event on LRH Way and sat in the middle of the first row. He wore his IAS Freedom Medal.

Joy Villa also attended the event on LRH Way. She also sat in the front row.

Former NAACP figure Fred Shaw also attended and sat in the front row. He was also heavily featured in the video.

Four other things stood out for me about the video.

First, an unnamed LAPD Captain — in uniform — praised the Church of Scientology by name (and not one of the front groups, like Drug-Free World). The Danny Masterson accusers might have some thoughts on that.

Secondly, Scientology front group Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) is really pushing the button of psychiatric racial discrimination with Black people and other people of color, such as First Nations People in Canada. And by “psychiatric racial discrimination” I obviously do not refer to deprivation of such services, but on the contrary alleged over-diagnosis of mental illness (if I recall correctly, the video stated that one of of every six Black people were diagnosed as having a mental illness), over-prescription of psychiatric medication (particularly ADHD medication), and overuse of ECT (particularly with minors). ECT was featured. It appears the majority of pro-CCHR testimonials were by people of color who thanked CCHR for addressing these issues.

Third, with regard to Scientology United / Youth for Human Rights efforts, it appears in the US Scientology may now be content if other groups use their U/YHR materials but retain their own branding and group identity.

Fourth, also featured were the group Gentleman’s Course, led by BB King’s grandson, and the fact he is now conducting it in conjunction with a Youth for Human Rights seminar.

The focus was really on CCHR and Youth for Human Rights. Drug-Free World, Narconon, Way to Happiness, and Applied Scholastics all got attention, but not as hard hitting. I don’t recall a word being said about Criminon.

For me, the news was the CCHR focus on minority communities. But no mention of Tony Muhammad or NOI. None. The focus was on Fred Shaw in LA, then First Nations and a chief in Canada.

 
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Bonus items from our tipsters

Says our correspondent: “Golden Era Productions sends out these casting notices almost every day. It looks like some of the Scientology Channel programming is being translated to other languages: ‘Narrate 50 hours of programming’? The notices are a look into where the church is looking to expand. Evidently, these countries are on the list to be cleared first.”

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 16, 2018 at 07:00

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