Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology ‘cult’

A teenager is facing prosecution for using the word "cult" to describe the Church of Scientology. The unnamed youth was served the summons by City of London police when he took part in a peaceful demonstration opposite the headquarters of the controversial religion in London. (story)
Popular since:
2008-05-20
Category:
World & Business, World News
Digg submission:
[link]
Best thread:
2553 diggs (thread)

Here's an excerpt of the most-dugg comment thread for 2008-05-20 :

710 diggs
imbatman05 on 2008-05-20 09:19:04
I am appalled by the conduct of the police and ashamed to live in a city that stamps on freedom of speech like this.

Anyone know if there's any way we can help this poor guy out?
  • 150 diggs
    digitalc on 2008-05-20 09:51:21
    Write a letter to the editor of the Guardian in response?

    More information about the issue to more people = Win.
    • 41 diggs
      JMSHappyCat on 2008-05-20 09:54:21
      Yup. Exposure, exposure, exposure should be the weapon of choice.
      • 126 diggs
        twiztidsinz on 2008-05-20 14:40:16
        Last time I used exposure as a weapon I was labeled a sex offender :-(
      • 38 diggs
        infinitiesedge on 2008-05-20 14:41:24
        And while they're distracted by your exposure we run in and grab all related documents, right?
      • 26 diggs
        PaulOwen on 2008-05-20 19:15:04
        "The City of London police came under fire two years ago when it emerged that more than 20 officers, ranging from constable to chief superintendent, had accepted gifts worth thousands of pounds from the Church of Scientology."

        Ah. I see what the police've done there.
      • 4 diggs
        Buu700 on 2008-05-21 01:06:18
        Whoa.. JMSHappyCat had 0 diggs, but after I dugg him up, he went all the way up to 47!
      • 1 diggs
        TFGeditor on 2008-05-21 02:10:27
        Write letters to anybody and everybody, calling for the responsibile INDIVIDUALS to be strung up by their balls. Only when individuals are held to account will government as a whole straigten its behavior.
    • 59 diggs
      imbatman05 on 2008-05-20 10:06:32
      Agreed. I will write to them later today.

      At least so far it's a law that's been 'broken' rather than the lad taking on the wrath of the vicious cult itself. A semi-decent solicitor might help him out of trouble.

      I'd be happy to donate to the cause if someone has the expertise to set up a charitable website.
      • 25 diggs
        PL3NTY on 2008-05-20 14:18:06
        But I actually will write a letter.
    • 87 diggs
      CassiusVerbank on 2008-05-20 11:28:51
      There will be a protest in the court.
      Fliers are allowed OUTSIDE, and signs AS WELL.

      MASKS are allowed OUTSIDE, but not inside. So, if you want to go in, make SURE that you get THOURGH THE DOORS AND ROUND THE CORNER, OUT OF SIGHT OF PHOTOGRAPHERS, before de-masking.

    • 20 diggs
      BN2L on 2008-05-20 15:15:00
      Write to other newspapers, The Guardian have already covered this story and seem to be firmly on the side of the teenager and free speech.
    • 47 diggs
      OwdenBowden on 2008-05-20 18:05:47
      If it walks like a duck; and it talks like a duck; and it looks just like a duck - the it is a DUCK. With this in mind Scientology is a cult.

      Scientology is a cult.
      Scientology is a cult.
      Scientology is a cult.
      Scientology is a cult.
      Scientology is a cult.
    • 8 diggs
      ssj2119 on 2008-05-20 21:46:55
      This is absolutely ridiculous - I seriously don't know where to live, freedom of speech my arse
  • 57 diggs
    elimrawne on 2008-05-20 13:52:30
    Damn the city of London police... they are an antiquated institution that needs to be absorbed into the metropolitan police.
    (for anyone who doesn't know, the city police only police a small area in the center of london, the rest is the Met)
    Corruption is obviously rife and needs to be stamped out
    • 1 diggs
      DalamarArgent on 2008-05-21 01:56:50
      City of London police are a cult?
  • 110 diggs
    tommq on 2008-05-20 14:31:40
    Protest more. :]
    • -3 diggs
      painperdu on 2008-05-20 19:56:49
      Hell yeah. Fuck the police!
      • 0 diggs
        daverave999 on 2008-05-20 21:57:24
        I feel the need to point out the Police do not make the law, but it is their job to enforce it. Tony Blair is the man to blame for this bullshit, not the Police.
      • 3 diggs
        jgtg32a on 2008-05-21 00:23:03
        The former PM?


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