The protest in Lahti, Finland on March 15th was a huge success. Estimates of participants range from 40 to 70, which is also the estimated number of active scientologists currently in Finland. Reporters form both Helsingin Sanomat (Finland's largest newspaper) and Etelä-Suomen Sanomat (the biggest local newsparper) were present as well as photographers.
The protest was very peaceful - so peacefully in fact, that the policemen who were assigned to watch over the protesters decided to leave after a couple of hours. Passerbys' reaction was very positive. Mostly the people were previously unaware of what scientology was about. Others who were more informed commented "they're a bunch of crazy bastards" and "there's no way they're getting their hands on my money".
Members of the press attempted to get the scientologists out and enter the center in order to interview them. They stood by the door waving their press cards to no avail. The only statement they got out of the was that they would only speak with the protesters if they revealed their identities... ;)
Helsingin Sanomat released a rather favorable article on their website and in the paper the next day about the protest. According to the article, "around 70 protesters, aged 20-30 attended a protest against scientology, most of them masked". The article proceeds to explain the background of the protest in a positive manner, describing the events leading up to the protest. The article also quotes scientologist spokesperson Kyllikki Helminen-Koikkalainen saying that "they are afraid, because they don't know what the protesters are up to".
Link: http://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/artikkeli/Skientologiaa+vastaan+osoitettiin+mielt+La...
HELL MARCH!
AngryTuber 3 years ago 4
You're damn right it is! ;D
AnonymousFinland 3 years ago