Church of Scientology in NYC targeted in TikTok trend attack, officials say
- On Saturday, hundreds of youth gathered in downtown Vancouver to "speedrun" the Church of Scientology building on West Hastings Street, attempting to force entry and prompting a police response.
- The viral "Scientology speedrunning" trend, which emerged in Los Angeles in March, encourages participants to film themselves dashing through church buildings to uncover supposed secrets, mirroring video game challenges.
- Vancouver Police Department officers reported between 250 and 300 people on site, noting that attendees threw objects at officers and attempted to kick in a rear gate during the event.
- Police arrested one person following a physical struggle, while Constable Darren Wong warned attendees that disruptions carry criminal consequences affecting post-secondary education and employment opportunities.
- Scientology spokesperson David Bloomberg denounced the events as "a co-ordinated act involving attempts to breach a religious facility," while similar incidents have been reported in cities ranging from New York to Paris.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Church of Scientology in NYC targeted in TikTok trend attack, officials say
NEW YORK (PIX11) – A group of individuals forcibly entered the Church of Scientology in New York City, causing property damage and physically injuring a staff member, according to Church of Scientology International. The incident occurred on Saturday at their Theater District location, according to church officials. The group of people who entered the religious [...]
POLITICS: ‘Speedrunning’ Scientology Centers is as ugly as invading any place of worship
At a moment of rising intolerance against religious minorities, the new social media trend of “speedrunning” through Scientology churches is an ugly and cheap opening for broader hate. It’s another misbegotten TikTok-level fad, as (mostly) kids storm a Scientology facility with a GoPro and see how far they can get before security nabs them. What started in Los Angeles has spread and become a minor sensation. One jokester assembled a group of dwa…
Church of Scientology scrambles as viral trend wreaks havoc on top secret fortresses across California
A masked mob of up to 50 people allegedly tried to bust into the Church of Scientology’s downtown San Diego building Saturday, kicking doors, pounding windows, and spitting on the property.
Youths accused of breaking into NYC Church of Scientology building in latest viral 'speedrunning' trend
A group of youths forced their way into a Church of Scientology building in Manhattan, allegedly damaging property and injuring a staff member in a TikTok "speedrunning" trend.
Social media trend sparks chaos at Scientology church in downtown San Diego
A viral social media trend known as “Scientology speedrunning” drew a crowd of 40 to 50 people — many believed to be underage — to the Church of Scientology in downtown San Diego over the weekend, prompting a police response and an ongoing investigation. Videos posted online show a large group traveling by foot, skateboard and bicycle to the facility on Fourth Avenue before gathering outside its entrance. The crowd was seen banging on the buildi…
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