September 19, 1998
Pictures of the 1998 Sep 19 picket against the criminal cult of $cientology in Toronto, CANADA.
You can click on any of the images below to see larger versions.
Dinner, the night before the picket. Left to right is Gregg Hagglund, Artemis, Bob Minton and Stacy Brooks Young.
Excuse the horrid lighting; the on-camera flash of the EOS-5 can't cover the field-of-view of a 20mm lens.
Preparing for battle the next morning.
Not one minute on the scene, and this fellow -- Andy Hill? -- tells me to "photograph this", and gave me the finger!
Naturally, the brave $cientologist felt the need to remove himself from the scene immediately and proceeded to step on the gas. The bonehead, though, failed to check out the front window and almost ran down a woman crossing the street in front of him.
He is photographed here trying to be non-chalant about the near calamity due to his idiocy.
Waiting for raw meat.
"Rev." Al Buttnor, DSA Toronto, here seen looking uncomfortable as he checks his pager at the donut shop across the street.
Clams and clams and clams. Note the smokers; smoking seems to be a serious problem with Co$ members.
The fellow on the right in the second photograph may be "Dan", last name unknown. He spent some time trying to get a reaction out of me. As one of the cops later remarked in another context: "high school shit". Its just awesome how infantile these people are when they are trying to "push buttons". And it is so humourous to see them start pushing their own buttons when the supposed "tech" isn't working!
Could these clams be wisening up to the scam?
First name "Earl", last name may be Smith. President of the Toronto Org(?).
The toys of the criminal cult.
All the images you see on this page were taken through a manly Canon EOS-5 with the EF 70-200/2.8L lens using a 1.4x teleconverter. Somtimes (the lunch and dinner photos) I used a EF 20/2.8 lens. Film was Fuji Super G+ 400. Camera support was a Manfrotto monopod, with an occasional hand-hold.
Our Hero.
Name unknown.
Apparently this is Maureen O'Keefe -- flew in from Boston just for us!
Here we see her taking notes. She did this every time Bob Minton opened his mouth with a new slogan. I wonder why she just didn't bring a tape recorder?
A "reg", name unknown.
Stacy explained to me the job description of the "reg" as we watched a "sale" unfold. The "reg" carefully watches the "stress test" being conducted. If the mark looks like he is interested, the "reg" moves in for the kill.
Stacy Brooks Young in Toronto.
What a bizarre cult.
Lunch for the clams.
Lunch for the 'criminal' SP's.
After lunch, we resume. Here are some more clams.
The fellow on the right is holding a high-end Sony digital still camera.
The cult prepares to strike at Gregg's residence?
I noted an increase in activity at the Org's laneway, and so I started snapping pictures now and then. The "Rev." Al Buttnor noticed my interest and you could almost see him deflate. The picture here of him muttering -- I'm almost totally sure of it -- a quiet "fuck off!".
The guy in the pickup truck, in the last image, is "Dan"(?)
The SP's strut their stuff.
Left to right: Graham(?), Unknown, Andy Hill, Diane Shuck and Mario (last name unknown).
Gregg calls a halt at 17:00, and we retire to a bar across the street for an in-depth debriefing.
Security guidelines forbid release of photographs taken during this session.
Well, ok, I didn't take any...
Flowers of thanks for Bob Minton and Stacy Brooks Young.
... and a message for the criminal cult.