US EditionScientology Removes Hollywood Door Handles Over TikTok Speedrunning Trend
The church says repeated trespasses and a staff injury prompted tighter security as videos of masked youths rushing its buildings spread online.
- The Church of Scientology removed door handles from its Hollywood Boulevard properties this week, restricting public access following a viral "speed running" trend that prompted masked groups to force their way into buildings.
- Originating in early April, the social media trend features participants filming themselves rushing into Church properties, culminating in a large-scale incident Saturday when dozens of masked individuals stormed the L. Ron Hubbard Life Exhibition.
- At least two suspects are wanted for burglary and felony vandalism after Saturday's incident, where staff members were knocked down. Scientology spokesperson David Bloomberg stated one employee required medical attention.
- Condemning the stunts as "organized trespasses," the Church stated it has implemented additional security measures to protect parishioners and staff. Officials maintain these acts constitute harassment rather than legitimate protest.
- While some participants claim they seek to "get the truth," the trend's creator Swhileyy now urges copycats to stop. Critic Leah Remini argued the stunts "unwittingly" help the Church by confirming its beliefs about external threats.
92 Articles
92 Articles
Hundreds of youths descend on Vancouver's Scientology building as part of speedrunning trend
The viral trend, dubbed "Scientology speedrunning," took off in early April, with users on social media posting videos of themselves entering — or in Saturday’s case trying to enter — properties owned or inhabited in some way by the Church of Scientology.
‘Scientology speedrunning’ attempt prompts warning from Vancouver police
Hundreds of people, mostly teens, attempted to enter the Vancouver location of the Church of Scientology on Saturday afternoon, according to authorities, who are warning about the potential consequences of a viral social media stunt dubbed “Scientology speedrunning.”
After a first intrusion on Thursday night, after which two men were arrested, some 30 individuals attempted to enter the Church of Scientology on Saturday. Each time, the suspects repeated a TikTok challenge that was born in the United States and became viral.
Dwarfs 'raid' Scientology HQ in LA to find Tom Cruise? Viral videos spark reactions; ‘Can't recruit people into cult’
A person, with 20 dwarfs, reportedly raided the Scientology headquarters in Los Angeles, looking for Tom Cruise, amid a spate of search raids at their churches.
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