March 12, 2000 - Spiker

Picket report, March 12, 2000. Edmonton, Alberta. Canada.

I arrived at the picket at 2:30 about half an hour after the picket had started. Unfortunately, bus service isn't the best on Sundays. This was the first ever picket for the Edmonton org. I was quite eager, and somewhat nervous. The org is located in an inner-city area which used to be notorious for drug trafficking.

When I was a block away from the picket I saw two people carrying protest signs, and about 8 or 9 milling about. I thought, "Wow! What a turn out"! However it turns out that about 1/3 of them were Scientologists. Upon joining the group I introduced myself to a few SPs. At the first handshake with an SP I was immediately zoomed in on by a clam running a video camera. In the half hour I was there I was photographed more than I was when I was at my sister's wedding.

Notable events: In the half hour I was there I saw 3 flyers handed out. I heard two honks. Had one drive-by Thumbs Up. And a fellow in a Jeep unrolled his window to show his support.

"Are you guys critics?" He asked. I responded yes. "Keep it up, those guys are nuts" was his reply.

About 20 minutes into the picket a tall gentleman with a goatee came by to see what was up. A fellow critic and myself talked with him about the Xenu story, the cost of $cientology, and the bait-and-switch methods. The passerby had trouble getting his head around the whole thing and, briefly, thought we might be recruiters rather than critics. Upon realizing that we were critics he shook his head and said "these guys are, like, Trekkies or something.

For about 10 minutes I took over a picket sign but had to pass it off again when I realized my hands were cold. In future, even if the weather is seemingly nice, I'll wear long underwear and gloves.

There were about 4 or 5 $cientologists milling about at any given time. One of them was obviously designated as the handler for the day. He resembled a shorter, salt-and-pepper haired Mike Rinder. He spent most of the time talking with the critics who seemed to have organized the picket. He did not try bullbaiting or any overt form of intimidation. Instead he seemed to be discussing the moral and philosophical implications of $cientology, while criticizing us for not giving out our names. The rest of the $cientologists were of retirement age, with the exception of the $cientologist's videographer whom I did not get a good look at. The age of the $cientologists disturbed me because it struck me that perhaps this org was preying on, and profiting from the elderly. I think at least three of the $cientologists were over the age of 60. Perhaps in their late 60's.

Things that were good about the picket:

A local TV station and local Newspaper came by.

The location, though in one of the less admirable areas of town, has nice wide sidewalks, and the "Church's" land-lord did an excellent job of keeping the recent snowfall off the sidewalk. This made for very easy movement. Traffic in the area was light, but the building is on a corner so we were able to get traffic going two different ways. The "church" is located near a community college so lunch-hour pickets could be very effective. The $cientologists milling about made it look there were A LOT more protesters.

Things that might be improved:

I didn't make up any signs, but I think that some very too the point signs might be a good idea next time. A few times people were not sure if we were for or against the "Church". A few "Scientology Kills" signs would rectify this problem. Also, I think next time I'll dress warmer. I forgot how cold it can get even on nice days if a person is outside for a very long time. A thermos full of coffee would be a godsend as well.

Things that were funny:

The "Free personality test" sign in front of the church had the church's old address (they moved a year or so ago) on it covered (poorly) with Whiteout. This looked rather unprofessional. There is a sign at the back of the building saying something to the effect of "Tenets wanted. $250/month rent, any tenant welcome. And the funniest moment of all, the look on a passerby's face when he heard the Xenu Story.

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Additional points of interest from the Edmonton picket:

Wulfen, the great Toronto enturbulator was a popular soul at the Edmonton picket. Rebecca, one of the $cienos sent to mill about during the picket, approached a number of us Suppressive folks and asked if we were Wulfen. She even asked a passer-by if he was Wulfen. I guess the $cientologists are not immune from being enamoured with someone.

I also need you ARS folk's help. One of the handlers was named Andre and claimed to be a public for 25 years. He had a certain way about him that made me suspect that he was OSA flown in to help. Further, he had a bit of a tan which one just doesn't get in Edmonton during the winter. His picture is at: http://www.geocities.com/edmontonentheta/pics/clam1.jpg

If any of you recognize him, please let me know.