Weeks after the protests, Scientology in LA remains boarded up and abandoned. What gives?

 
One of our sources in Los Angeles told us recently that there was something odd going on with Scientology’s buildings there. Although street unrest has dissipated for weeks now, Scientology’s storefronts remain boarded up and some of them appear completely abandoned. At a time when orgs in London and Florida and Paris are boasting about reopening, is there something going on in Los Angeles that we should know about? We asked Jeffrey Augustine if he’d take a look for us, and he sent us this report…

On June 7, twenty thousand protesters were on Scientology’s doorstep at its Test Center in Hollywood (see image above). What better time for Scientology to show that it could confront and shatter suppression, and to disseminate the wisdom of L. Ron Hubbard to the masses?

But instead of having Scientologists pass out bottles of water and copies of The Way to Happiness, Miscavige ordered that his real estate be boarded up. And weeks later, it’s like Scientology is still waiting for trouble, long after the street protests have ended.

 
Many of us here in Los Angeles have noticed that Scientology was staying boarded up. What’s up, Dave? Is LA finally losing out to Clearwater, Florida as the real stronghold of Scientology in America? We drove around to take a look at the state of the Hollywood-area Scientology Orgs.

The Test Center is still boarded up as tight as a tomb. There is not even a skeleton crew present. We saw not even one Scientologist security guard.

 
The bare plywood has been up for several weeks now and is beginning to decay under the summer sun. The plywood has been tagged with graffiti, and Scientology works to clean it up immediately. Nevertheless, it is unsightly:

 
The plywood on the N. McCadden Place side of the Test Center is beginning to warp and bow under the heat. The building is showing the early signs of dilapidation:

 
While about 30-40 percent of buildings on Hollywood Blvd. remain either boarded up or closed, most are small businesses that lack the financial reserves to reopen. They do not have Scientology’s deep-pocket reserves. Scientology doesn’t have that excuse.

 
At Author Services Inc. (L. Ron Hubbard’s literary agency, which oversees the publication of his fiction) the sign in front says temporarily closed:

 
The plywood on ASI is also showing wear and tear:

 
The Hollywood Guaranty Building at Hollywood and Ivar remains 70 percent boarded up. The L. Ron Hubbard Life Exhibition is not open to the public. Frankly, the HGB looks terrible:

 
Scientology normally takes great pride in its facilities. However, we’re sorry to say that the painted plywood on HGB main entrance looks like garbage:

 
The RTC entrance to the HGB has had the plywood barriers taken down. This suggests OSA and RTC are working up on the 10th and 11th floor:

 
Moving on in our excursion, we can state that Pac Base, a/k/a Big Blue, is a ghost town. The plywood has come down, but the place was deserted at midday under the beautiful blue summer sky…

 
L. Ron Hubbard Way was empty.

 
Despite rogue Scientologist attorney Leigh Dundas fighting mandatory masks and other scientifically-based COVID-19 mandates, David Miscavige’s diktat is in line with protocols and orders disinfection, handwashing, and social distancing. Pac Base follows social distancing guidelines to the point of placing orange safety cones in every other parking space of its empty parking lot. In this way, automobiles and their drivers are socially distanced. This is a good policy. However, there were no Scientologists present to observe the rule:

 
A Volunteer Minister tent has been erected in the parking lot of Pac Base but it was not staffed by anyone. This suggested to us a Scientology koan: How can something be done about it if there is nobody to do something about it?

 
The CCHR bus is parked. The ferry service to the Psychiatry: An Industry of Death museum is not needed at this time.

 
The Pac Base Lion wondered when, and if, there would be any raw meat wogs for him to devour in the near future. Judging from the looks of things around Scientology Hollywood the answer is no. Even the body routers who feed the lion are off the streets.

 
— Jeffrey Augustine

 
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Your proprietor on the airwaves

Another podcast, and more on the way. We’re in demand these days.

 
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Source Code

“You don’t have to know anything about electronics. You don’t have to be able to do one of these things, or make one, you just have to be able to run one….A retractor beam is used somewhat on the order that you bulldog a calf or rope a steer, or something of the sort. It’s to grab hold of something and hold it and pull it in….Why do men stay on Earth? Have you ever had a pc that gave you the idea that he was held down and was going to take root and grow? Have you ever had the idea that you’re sort of anchored in one spot? Did you ever feel heavy? Did you ever get up in the morning and feel tired? You get out of bed, you’re feeling all right, but the second you stand up you feel kind of tired. All you’re doing is kicking in one of these darn retractor somatics.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 24, 1952

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“Chris Shelton mainly has a voice because some higher profile ‘experts’ are supporting him. These guys have ‘important insider’ information on what happens only when the tech is squirreled and abused. Do they ever report all the successes? The one true expert on Scientology is LRH. He is the one to study and listen to.”

 
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Random Howdy

“Just like with Esmeralda the Gypsy fortune teller proclaiming that her powers won’t work if non-believers are present, the same cautions exist within Scientology, as well as the rule that demonstrating OT powers to those on a lower gradient is an out-tech high crime. Ron knew the tricks on the spiritual bunco trade.”

 
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Arraignment scheduled for September 18.
— Jay Spina, Medicare fraud: Sentencing is set for August 27 in White Plains, NY
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles

Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments set for August 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Hearing on motion for reconsideration set for August 11
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Sept 4 (CSI/RTC demurrer against Riales, Masterson demurrer), Oct 7-19 (motions to compel arbitration)
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach bankruptcy appeal: Oral arguments were heard on March 11 in Jacksonville
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021

 
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Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!

We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.

Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!

Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society!

Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in our weekly series. How many have you read?

 
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THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Inside Scientology’s emergency San Fernando Valley confab, planning for US takeover
[TWO years ago] Scientology used an ice cream ‘date’ to run up $20,000 on senior’s credit cards
[THREE years ago] RAY JEFFREY TO JUDGE: ORDER RATHBUNS TO TURN OVER FINANCIAL RECORDS AND TESTIFY
[FOUR years ago] A billboard sprouts in Florida, and other Scientology chaos in our social media review
[FIVE years ago] Long before Xenu: Scientology’s actual origin story, as told by a former member
[SIX years ago] A lawsuit over counseling credentials now aims at the essence of Scientology
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology Continues to “Handle” the “Black PR” of Leah Remini’s Defection
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology Wins Appeal In Lawsuit Alleging Forced Labor and Forced Abortions

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 24, 2020 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | 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 | Shelly Miscavige, 14 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

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

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 | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele