Young people target Scientology buildings in Australia, leading to four arrests
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 11
Young people target Scientology buildings in Australia, leading to four arrests
11 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 11
About 100 people gathered outside Sydney's Castlereagh Street church on Saturday, while another crowd targeted Brisbane's George Street site; those arrested were aged 15, 17, 18 and 19.
Police dispersed the groups, including riot squad officers in Sydney, and neither crowd entered the buildings; in Brisbane, one teenager jumped into a police car and another rode a BMX over it.
The TikTok-driven trend began in Los Angeles and spread to Britain before reaching Australia. Scientology said recent incursions damaged property, endangered staff and visitors, and prompted increased security and police reports.
Is this trend a new form of protest or just dangerous 'slacktivism' for online clicks?
When does a viral social media prank cross the line into a prosecutable hate crime?