Operation Sea Org - June 14th 2008/Draft Press Release

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Main page: Operation Sea Org - June 14th 2008

Anonymous, the movement dedicated to exposing and eliminating abuses within Scientology, will stage its fifth protest this 14th of June. The theme for this protest, "Sea Argh" will see Anonymous donning pirate garb as a send up of Scientology's paramilitary organisation, the Sea Org.

Scientology's Sea Org can be legitimately described as a paramilitary group, with a genuine militaristic chain of command, complete with naval styled uniforms and insignia of rank. Scientology maintains an armed compound surrounded by razor wire and CCTV cameras at its "Gold Base" in California.

Sea Org members sign a billion year contract when they sign up. They are not paid a livable wage. OH&S breaches have in the past been responsible for deaths that might have been easily avoided. They are not permitted to have children. Pregnant women will be pressured to have abortions under threat of disciplinary proceedings should they refuse.

Chief among Sea Org abuses is the RPF (Rehabilitation Project Force). Sea Org staff that fall foul of Scientology's arbitrary and absurd disciplinary procedures, can be committed to the RPF for months or years at a time for even minor infractions of Scientology policy. RPF inmates are poorly fed and assigned to demeaning, menial labour. They may not speak without first being spoken to. Scientology's claim that the RPF allows 'parishioners' to do penance for supposed wrongdoings does not justify their being denied basic human rights. Threat of the RPF is a powerful means by which Scientology maintains social control of its most committed members.

Anonymous hopes that public displays of opposition to Scientology's abuses will promote useful debate among Scientologists and members of the public leading to a better understanding of the true nature and merits of the Scientology organisation and an end to perceived abuses.