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

[David Miscavige during Maiden Voyage]

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.

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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.

 

[Maiden Voyage — the official T-shirt]

 
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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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Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley has not seen his daughter Stephanie in 5,177 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 1,780 days
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 323 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 211 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 1,386 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,160 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 2,934 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 2,280 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 10,846 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 2,514 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 2,774 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 1,814 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 1,526 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,052 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,141 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 2,281 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 2,601 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 2,576 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 932 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,234 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 1,340 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 1,743 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 1,615 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,197 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 1,702 days.
Mary Jane Sterne has not seen her daughter Samantha in 1,946 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,055 days.

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3D-UnbreakablePosted by Tony Ortega on July 16, 2018 at 07:00

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The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2017 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Undergound Bunker (2012-2017), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Learn about Scientology with our numerous series with experts…

BLOGGING DIANETICS: We read Scientology’s founding text cover to cover with the help of L.A. attorney and former church member Vance Woodward
UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists
GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice
SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts

Other links: Shelly Miscavige, ten years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news

 

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