A new viral challenge on social media hit Vancouver on Saturday afternoon, with reports from the police indicating that a group of around 250 to 300 individuals, mostly young people, gathered outside the Church of Scientology building in the city.
The Vancouver Police Department received alerts around 3 p.m. local time about the crowd attempting to enter the Scientology premises located on West Hastings Street at the intersection with Homer Street.
According to the police, some individuals tried to break through the back gate, and there were instances of objects being thrown at officers. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the officers or the public.
Although the crowd was dispersed initially, it reassembled around 5 p.m. A 16-year-old boy was briefly apprehended before being released to his parents. The police have stated that no criminal charges are being recommended.
Sgt. Adam Donaldson emphasized the seriousness of the situation, cautioning that attempting to enter a building constitutes breaking and entering, damaging property is considered mischief, and pushing a police officer is classified as assaulting an officer. He highlighted that the young individuals who participated were fortunate not to face criminal charges that could have had long-term repercussions.
The trend known as “Scientology speedrunning” gained momentum in early April, with social media users sharing videos of themselves, often in costumes, entering or attempting to enter properties affiliated with the Church of Scientology.
Participants aim to swiftly navigate through the building, akin to completing a task as rapidly as possible, as per common video game terminology. Their goal is to explore Scientology’s facilities and gather information about the organization’s inner workings.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed responding to multiple incidents last month that led the Church of Scientology to remove external door handles on its Hollywood Boulevard properties as a precaution.
David Bloomberg, a spokesperson for the Church of Scientology, stated that the incident in Vancouver was not a peaceful visit or a lawful protest.
He described it as a coordinated attempt to breach a religious establishment and disrupt its operations, emphasizing that church facilities are intended for peaceful purposes and not for being targeted for viral stunts, which he deemed as trespassing, harassment, and disruption of religious spaces.
