Rod Keller continues to watch a strange situation with Scientology in Mexico City for us.
Scientology is still renovating the planned advanced org known as AOSH LATAM at the former Palmas Plaza mall in the Mexico City area. This despite “seals,” which are banners tied to the gates announcing to all that work on the site is prohibited. There are no valid permits to renovate the structure. Scientology’s solution is to work in secret, with only a few workers rather than over 100 as was the case before the site was shut down. In Mexican slang this is known as “trabajo hormiga,” or “ant work,” in which the work is done little at a time to avoid detection.
News web site InfoZona published a statement from the municipal president, or mayor, Enrique Vargas del Villar. “The people the neighbors observed are not workers, they are security personnel, the work has not been resumed or will be resumed outside the context of the law.”
The neighbors of the work site know better than that. Above, dump trucks parked alongside the site idle as they wait to receive a load of refuse. The security guards Vargas del Villar mentions are there, in uniform, but there are others as well. In this remarkable series of photos, a uniformed security guard opens the gate for a worker, who steps over the seal. The guard then replaces the seal across the gate.
The neighbors are opposed to the proposed facility because they fear increased traffic in the area, and many believe the character of the “colonia,” or neighborhood will change with the influx of Scientologists. Some keep an eye on the gates as they pass, photographing workers waiting to be allowed inside. One neighbor this week was confronted at the gate by a non-uniformed worker as he was taking photographs.
The neighborhood association has approved the hiring of attorneys to represent their interests in the matter, but there is nothing for them to do at the moment. Scientology has not applied for new permits, or sued the local government to force them to allow the renovations. Local officials say the site is closed, and are not taking any action against Scientology. For now they are willing to ignore the ant work being done. For Scientology, this method of renovation will extend the project indefinitely. It’s a large building and the interior is being completely replaced to meet the standards of an Ideal Advanced Org and Continental Liaison Office. If they intend to open in the near future they will have to find a solution to the stand-off
— Rod Keller
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HowdyCon 2017
HowdyCon 2017: Denver, June 23-25 at the Residence Inn Denver City Center. Go here for details.
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Bernie Headley has not seen his daughter Stephanie in 4,785 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 2,542 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 1,888 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 2,382 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 1,422 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy in 1,134 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 660 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 4,749 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 1,889 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 2,209 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 2,184 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 540 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin in 4,842 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 949 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis for 1,351 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 1,224 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 805 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike in 1,310 days.
Mary Jane Sterne has not seen her daughter Samantha in 1,554 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 12,663 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 18, 2017 at 07:00
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Our book, 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 about the book, and our 2015 book tour, can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2016 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Undergound Bunker (2012-2016), 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 | Scientology’s Private Dancer | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | Scientology boasts about assistance from Google | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Our Guide to Alex Gibney’s film ‘Going Clear,’ and our pages about its principal figures…
Jason Beghe | Tom DeVocht | Sara Goldberg | Paul Haggis | Mark “Marty” Rathbun | Mike Rinder | Spanky Taylor | Hana Whitfield
