St. Hill is a scary old castle haunted by the ghost of L. Ron Hubbard. The place is staffed by a fake navy and avaricious fundraisers. Abandon hope all ye who enter here. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alexander Barnes-Ross

A former member of the Church of Scientology has announced protest plans ahead of next week’s gathering of the International Association of Scientologists in East Grinstead. The annual event, which is returning to Scientology headquarters Saint Hill Manor after a 4 year hiatus, will see the gathering of thousands of Scientologists to hear reclusive leader David Miscavige speak.

Mr. Miscavige, who was recently served with a human trafficking lawsuit in the United States, is expected to fly to the controversial religion’s UK base for the event, due to take place 3^rd – 5^th November 2023. Scientology recently made headlines around the world after it was found to have covered up multiple rapes by That 70’s Show actor Danny Masterson. Actress Leah Remini has also recently filed a suit against the Church and its leader alleging harassment and intimidation after she spoke out about her experiences in the group.

Alexander Barnes-Ross, the former Director of Public Booksales at the Church of Scientology London, has organised the protest with the aim of “sending Scientology a clear message: the abuse must stop.” He says, “based on registrations received so far, this will be the largest UK Scientology protest since the Anonymous movement 15 years ago.”

“When I was a teenager, I was locked in a room at their London Org at 146 Queen Victoria Street and told I couldn’t leave until I’d written down everything unethical I’d ever done – when all I was asking for was help” he says. “After leaving, I have heard countless stories of similar things happening to Scientologists around the world – people being harassed, forced to have abortions, held against their will and, for example, thrown in the lake during winter at Saint Hill as punishment. I have had enough, and I want people to realise what really happens inside Scientology.”

The ex-Scientologist now runs a Youtube Channel called ‘Apostate Alex’, where he interviews other former members and an online magazine called Scientology Business (www.scientologybusiness.com) which sheds light on Scientology’s UK and European activities. “People often think of Scientology as a crazy American cult. What they don’t realise is they have a huge, multi-million pound operation here in the UK – despite the government warning in 1975 that it is a ‘harmful movement with an evil reputation’”

Scientology claims to have over a hundred thousand adherents in the United Kingdom, despite the 2021 census revealing only 1,844 people identified as Scientologists. The group was rejected charity status in 1999, with the Charity Commission recently confirming Scientology “does not exist for the public benefit.” They currently do business through an Australian-registered non-profit that operates solely in the UK for tax reasons and reported a turnover of £22 million last year in the UK alone.

Saint Hill Manor, near East Grinstead, is the UK headquarters of the Church of Scientology and the former home of founder L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer who died in 1986. Scientology is now led by David Miscavige, who has rarely been seen in public after allegations of abuse, human trafficking and intimidation were made against him in 2019. Process servers have attempted to serve him legal papers in excess of 27 times but have been unable to locate Mr. Miscavige and his whereabouts is currently unknown. His role at the forthcoming IAS event in the UK will be his first public appearance since January.

People wishing to find out more information or take part in the protest are asked to visit www.iasprotest.com where you can register to attend. The demonstration will also be live streamed on Youtube.

LINKS / SOURCES

David Miscavige served in human trafficking case.

Charity Commission statement on Scientology, September 2023

1975 UK Government warning on Scientology:

https://www.scientologybusiness.com/people/scientology-requested-a-formal-apology-from-the-uk-government/

Apostate Alex on Youtube:

United Against Scientology – protest website

IMAGES: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fzXuAPP7qjGv1ivuxAezwvU97ga_UYoV?usp=sharing

CONTACT
Alexander Barnes-Ross – Organiser
organisers@iasprotest.com or hello@apostatealex.com