"Operation SEA ARRRGHH": Protest the Cult of Scientology's "Sea Org" paramilitary unit

Operation Sea Arrrgh is Anonymous' fifth global protest since the inception of the campaign to highlight the abuses of the Church of Scientology in January. Over 10,000 activists from around the world have joined Anonymous' fight, and millions have been made aware of the dangers posed by the Church and its practices. Past protests have highlighted the controversial and avoidable death of Lisa McPherson in a Church of Scientology compound, criticised the Church's inappropriate tax exemptions, exposed its cruel Disconnection' policy that splits up families, and tackled the 'Fair Game' tactics of intimidation and litigation that it employs against critics.

With Operation Sea Arrrgh, Anonymous aims to bring to light the abuses of the Church of Scientology's Sea Organization. According to the Church's website, the Sea Org "is composed of the most dedicated Scientologists in the world — individuals who have dedicated their lives to the service of their religion". While this may, at face value, sound admirable, Sea Org members are forced to sign billion year service contracts which entail working for pay that falls below liveable wages in most countries. Female members who become pregnant are pressured into having abortions, and there is also evidence that children who are part of families in the organization are often forced into hard physical labour.

In addition, the Church of Scientology-owned ship MV Freewinds, which is manned by the Sea Org, is currently grounded due to it being contaminated with cancer-causing blue asbestos. This is a fact the Church of Scientology has been aware of for decades, but has hidden from shipping authorities and even many within their own organisation. Anonymous considers this to be yet another crime committed by the leadership of the Church of Scientology, as it has put its own members aboard this most un-shipshape vessel into serious physical danger.

Anonymous is a grassroots collective comprised of ordinary people from all walks of life, from former Scientologists and long-time cult activists, to college students and corporate professionals, all united in recognition of the malign nature of the Church of Scientology, the danger it poses to society, and the necessity of action. Anonymous also likes pirates, and as the focus the time is on high crimes upon the seven seas, it has decided this to be an appropriate theme. Anonymous looks forward to getting into character and hunting for booty at this next protest! The prized treasure that they seek however is more valuable than doubloons or pieces of eight - it's a raised public awareness of what they consider to be the scurrilous and black-hearted activities of the Church of Scientology.

Prepare thy facades and shutter yer windows, for we come like a gale!

For more information on the Church of Scientology and Anonymous, an info package has been created and is available for download at http://img1.anonbw.com/press/GoldInfoPack.pdf

Anonymous: Project Chanology Information:
— http://www.seaarrrgh.com
— http://www.goanonymous.org
— http://www.unfairgame.net
— http://www.whyweprotest.net
— http://www.enturbulation.org
— http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Chanology