Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

August 30, 2008 9:47:03 CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Teen Calls Scientology a 'Cult,' Faces Charges

Posted May 20, 08 3:40 PM CDT in Crime & Courts,  World 

(Newser) – A 15-year-old is facing charges for holding a sign calling Scientology a "cult" during a peaceful protest. A London policewoman asked the teen to remove the sign; when he refused, she handed him a court summons, the Guardian reports. Free speech and anti-cult groups are furious, particularly in light of recent gifts from the Church of Scientology to the London Police Department totaling thousands of pounds.

"This barmy prosecution makes a mockery of Britain's free speech traditions," said the head of a human rights group.

Source Guardian (UK)

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • US Urges China to Free 8 Yanks

    Aug 24, 08 2:33 PM CDT
    US Urges China to Free 8 Yanks Washington is seeking the release of eight US protesters held by China during the Olympics, Reuters reports. Two were collared Thursday for posting a "Free Tibet" banner near an Olympic event; six others were members of Free Tibet Reporters detained the day before. Beijing vows to release all eight next weekend. This marks the first time during the Olympics that American protesters have been held for more than a day. More »

  • Lawsuit Targets Cruise, Scientology 'Crime Syndicate'

    Jul 31, 08 11:07 CDT
    Lawsuit Targets Cruise, Scientology 'Crime Syndicate' An ex-Scientologist says the organization is a “crime syndicate” in a $250 million federal lawsuit that names Tom Cruise as the head honcho's "right-hand man," reports the Daily News. The suit uses a statute designed to counter organized crime in an attempt to have the Church of Scientology broken up.
    More »

  • Amnesty: China Broke Promises of Free Speech

    Jul 29, 08 11:13 CDT
    Amnesty: China Broke Promises of Free Speech Ten days ahead of the Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremony, Amnesty International charged that China hasn’t welched on promises of freedom for activists and journalists it made when it was awarded the Games. “The Chinese authorities are tarnishing the legacy of the Games,” said a rep who called for the release of “imprisoned peaceful activists” and a path to ending the death penalty, Bloomberg reports.
    More »

  • Aussie Court Strikes Down Law Banning Pope Protests

    Jul 15, 08 3:25 CDT
    Aussie Court Strikes Down Law Banning Pope Protests An Australian court has struck down a law aimed at curbing protests during Pope Benedict XVI's visit Down Under, reports Reuters. The law, ruled unconstitutional, had banned protesters from "annoying" those attending papal events. People handing out condoms or wearing anti-Pope t-shirts faced possible $5,000 fines. More »

  • Teenagers Have Rights, Too

    Jul 12, 08 7:10 PM CDT
    Teenagers Have Rights, Too "Teenagers have constitutional rights." That shouldn’t be controversial, but several schools are in court arguing that the First Amendment doesn't apply to students, writes Frank LoMonte in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Morse v. Frederick set a precedent last year, when Supreme Court judges ruled that students could be punished for a “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” banner—even though it was off school grounds. More »

Disguised members of an internet-based group called Anonymous protest near buildings associated with the Church of Scientology on Saturday, March 15, 2008, in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Chris Weeks)
A London teen faces charges for carrying a sign that called the Church of Scientology a "cult."   ((c) Joe Howell)
Xenu pointing out the hard questions   ((c) THERKD)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Threads (1 of 3)

Tags

Scientology  • freedom of speech


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular


Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »