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Follow on Google News | Clearwater "Business Owner" Petition Signed by Mostly Scientologists Against First Amendment RightsOnce again, Scientology uses Florida law to subvert First Amendment rights of peaceful Anonymous activists
By: Anonymous Clearwater On May 9th 2008 a petition was filed with Mayor Frank Hibbard of Clearwater Florida[1]. In that petition, 37 merchants of the Cleveland Street district assert that frequent anti-Scientology demonstrations are disruptive to commerce in downtown Clearwater, making it difficult to attract new customers to the downtown district. A loosely-affiliated, internet-based group of individuals who refer to themselves as 'Anonymous' has held global protests against the Church of Scientology every month since February. They plan to continue holding demonstrations each month until the Church's tax exempt status is revoked (where applicable), it is properly penalized for its criminal activities, and it ceases all illegal and immoral activities that still take place today. The signatory list contains 6 duplicate business entries, 7 signatories that do not have a valid or existing business license in Clearwater and finally there are 3 that are completely illegible[2] Many of these businesses are not open during weekends, when the protests are held. Businesses with ties to Scientology that were open during the protests had 'Anonymous Not Welcome' signs featured predominantly in their shop fronts. This petition is the latest in a series of attempts to thwart the legal rights of those opposed to the Church of Scientology. On March 10th, 2008, the Church of Scientology sought to enjoin future protests via judicial authority. A "Petition for Injunction for Protection Against Repeat Violence" was filed with Florida's Sixth Circuit District Court seeking the extraordinary remedy of injunctive restraint pending further proceedings. The Honorable W. Douglas Baird (Circuit Judge) struck down this original complaint and acted similarly upon re-filing (adding prejudice to the latter)[3]. A pattern of similar efforts to silence dissent can be found throughout Scientology's past. On Tuesday, the City Council spent less than two minutes discussing the issue. The members agreed to send a letter to the businesses, saying they would not address the issue[4]. For more information, please visit Enturbulation.org. Updates on this and other stories pertaining to the Church of Scientology can be found at the Enturbulation Press Page[5]. [1]http://www.clearclearwater.com/ [2]http://forums.enturbulation.org/ [3]http://www.sptimes.com/ [4]http://www.tampabay.com/ [5]http://www.enturbulation.org/ # # # http://www.GoAnonymous.org, http://forums.enturbulation.org, http://www.xenutv.com, http://www.xenu.net, http://www.whyaretheydead.net End
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