Since when did it become a crime to call a cult a cult? Apparently about two weeks ago.

On May 10th, at the 4th global protest staged by the internet activist group Anonymous, a London Teenager, who goes by the moniker “ENG” or Epic Nose Guy, was arrested for leaving a sign up that called the Church of Scientology a “CULT.” Here’s a breakdown of events from the Guardian UK:

A teenager is facing prosecution for using the word “cult” to describe the Church of Scientology.

The unnamed 15-year-old was served the summons by City of London police when he took part in a peaceful demonstration opposite the London headquarters of the controversial religion.

Officers confiscated a placard with the word “cult” on it from the youth, who is under 18, and a case file has been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.

A date has not yet been set for him to appear in court.

The decision to issue the summons has angered human rights activists and support groups for the victims of cults.

The incident happened during a protest against the Church of Scientology on May 10. Demonstrators from the anti-Scientology group, Anonymous, who were outside the church’s £23m headquarters near St Paul’s cathedral, were banned by police from describing Scientology as a cult by police because it was “abusive and insulting”.

Writing on an anti-Scientology website, the teenager facing court said: “I brought a sign to the May 10th protest that said: ‘Scientology is not a religion, it is a dangerous cult.’

“‘Within five minutes of arriving I was told by a member of the police that I was not allowed to use that word, and that the final decision would be made by the inspector.”

A policewoman later read him section five of the Public Order Act and “strongly advised” him to remove the sign. The section prohibits signs which have representations or words which are threatening, abusive or insulting.

The teenager refused to back down, quoting a 1984 high court ruling from Mr Justice Latey, in which he described the Church of Scientology as a “cult” which was “corrupt, sinister and dangerous”.

This young man showed huge brass ones by his decision to not take down the sign when ordered by police. While some may cringe at the comparison, I liken this to those who refused to sit at the back of the bus. Peaceful protests are the earmark of democracy, how else can “the people” raise awareness about authoritative groups trying to control the masses through deception and intimidation? What is left for us as a society to protect our freedoms, if you can’t meet with like-minded individuals to express your outrage against well documented abuses and criminal collusion? More importantly, how can you prosecute one individual for using a “word” which most accurately describes that which you are protesting? Also significant, is the precedent set over the last twenty years of many, many publications using this term to describe the Church of Scientology.

But wait, there’s more…

I head out to LA to have super deluxe secret meeting with ex-Scientologists and the SF Org goes crazy on an Anonymous member. If you watch the video (it’s pretty long) you will get the gist of what happened from Tommy Gorman and crew, but essentially a member of Anonymous was confronted outside of the SF Org during a Dianetics celebration and then was physically assaulted by the female Sci-member.

According to eyewitness accounts the protester was approached by a woman walking out of the Org and when the protester asked her why she was there if she wasn’t a Scientologist (a claim the attacker made) this set off the chain of events causing the Scientologist to choke the protester and attempt to toss her down the hill into the street.

The cops were called, but I don’t have any updates at this point. The attacker is identified at Christy Morris. Reports here are more detailed and they state another video showing the actual attack is being held by the SF police department.

I would caution anyone protesting to use extra precautions at these events and to keep your distance from those coming and going inside the buildings. We don’t want ANYONE getting hurt.

I will update this post if I get any more info.

Please watch the above video and as always, use caution when talking to anyone representing the “media” at Anonymous events. Scientology may be crazy, but they are NOT stupid. Fortunately, Anonymous pwns the internet.

New Black Panthers share space and support during their Sean Bell protests on May 14

Anon interviews Clearwater, Florida resident who speaks freely about witnessing abuse of CoS Staff

Postcards from the outside to CoS members still trapped by the Church of Scientology

This is an amazing piece of work, and I encourage EVERYONE who cares about exposing the abuses of the Church of Scientology and the enforced slavery it imposes on its Sea Org member and those who’ve been off-loaded into the Rehabilitation Project Force (aka RPF, or Scientology prison camps) to spread the word of this video.

Scientology has mastered the art of bait and switch over the years, by presenting a glossy face of spiritual freedom and higher morality, but the truth is, like so many facades, if you scratch even a bit beneath the surface of what they present you will see a rotting core of deceit, deception and dishonesty.

Glosslip is proud to be a part of this movement to save lives destroyed by the cult of Scientology and we will carry on the fight. A special thanks to my writing partner k, Blogcritics.org and BlogTalkRadio, for their continued support in this effort. The radio interviews, like the one featured in the above video, are helping to chip away at the CoS, and someday in the not-too-distant future, we will see smiling faces reaching towards the light of freedom as they break free from David Miscavige and Company’s hold over their lives.

Since his infamous video denouncing his former faith of Scientology hit the internet, actor Jason Beghe has kept a relatively low profile. Jason, who is described by those who’ve met him, as a very down to earth and friendly guy, has shunned the media which has descended upon him like cicadas, but this however, did NOT stop him from showing his support at the San Francisco Anonymous protests this past Saturday on May 10th.

Here’s a great report from PRLog about Jason’s visit at the protest.

There are some who’ve questioned Jason’s motives for speaking out against Scientology, suggesting he was merely looking for media attention. Clearly these are folks who do not understand how difficult it is for former members to leave, let alone speak out about their experiences. Scientology’s hold over a person’s life can seem so insurmountable that despite the abuse, many choose to stay regardless of their desire to find freedom away from the “cult-like” mentality ingrained in them. Fame and fortune do not immunize you from brain-washing. Jason is as much a hero to the anti-Scientology movement as anyone else who’s stood on the front lines willing to take the heat. Bravo Jason!
Here’s more on Jason and Anonymous from PR- Insider:

Actor Jason Beghe is a veteran television and movie actor appearing in shows such as “Numb3rs”, “CSI: NY”, “Cane”, and “Melrose Place”. His movie credits include G.I Jane, Monkey Shines, and many others. He has been working in Hollywood for over 25 years and is friends with “The X-Files Actor” David Duchovny.

Anonymous is a loose, leaderless collective of individuals from all walks of life who use the internet and are united by the power of ideas. First known as internet pranksters, Anonymous projects have resulted in the closing of the white-supremacist radio show produced by Hal Turner, and the criminal prosecution of Canadian pedophile Chris Forcand. Anonymous has been called a “Cyber Vigilante Group” by The Toronto Sun and Global News. The next Anonymous protest in San Francisco will be on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 11:00 AM and will focus on the abuses of the cult of Scientology’s “navy” called The Sea Org. Anonymous protestors are encouraged to wear pirate costumes in honor of the “Anonymous navy” called The Sea Arrrgh.

[Jason Beghe photos courtesy of Anmoyunos]

From the beefcake Ron B. at TheFrameProblem, a much better written perspective on the abuses of Scientology than I can offer. The above video shows Canadian CoS Org President Yvette Shank tell an Anonymous protester that the Church of Scientology could find her if they wanted to…for more read Ron’s account here.

In fact, check out The Frame Problem for additional reports on the CoS and the protests from yesterday, there’s TONS of stuff I didn’t get to because I SUCK. Keep up the good work TFP!

Long Cat is so incredibly long it’s like epic or something.

Lots more after the jump from Anongurl in D.C. reporting on behalf of Glosslip! You’re hired!

But wait, there’s more…

Here’s some eyewitness reports of Anonymous members being harassed and Fair Gamed in Auckland. It’s like the CoS never learns that you can’t prevent free speech.

[editor's note: Many special thanks to "Anonlover" who has been sending me reports all day. Today was an extremely busy day home-wise and without their help I would be lost. Great job all. I will do a wrap up tomorrow about the US protests with video, pics an reports. Tremendous wins once again - feel free to send me your info dmdo1016@yahoo.com]

Anonymous May 10th Amsterdam from Anon D on Vimeo.

Translated, their chant says “This is Japanese, that is a cult.” They were referring to a Japanese restaurant on one side of the street and a Scientology Org building on the other. The power of words can do more than bombs or fists. Peaceful protests are the wave of change.