New York Church of Scientology Stormed by Mob
In early May, a crowd of teens and young adults burst into the Church of Scientology in New York City, racking up over $10,000 in damages as a result of a social media phenomenon, according to footage obtained by Fox News Digital.
During the incident on May 2, more than 30 individuals pushed through a locked door at the church’s West 46th Street entrance while worshippers were present, shared the New York City Police Department Deputy Commissioner of Public Affairs with Fox News Digital.
Vandals wreaked havoc by tossing chairs and damaging property, while some participants were seen grinning as they sprayed silly string at surveillance cameras. Interestingly, a few even carried professional cameras to document the chaos, which seems to mirror trends that began on the West Coast.
In Los Angeles, younger crowds have been engaging in what they call “speed runs” — breaking into the Church of Scientology and filming themselves trying to remain inside for as long as possible.
Charges Filed for Recent Incident
The New York incident led to charges for two participants. Yaren Dinkens, 29, and Mohamed Amorebbe, 21, were charged with robbery, criminal mischief, and assault as hate crimes. Additionally, Tashawn Sims, 28, faces charges for obstruction of government and tampering with evidence, as reported by the New York Post.
Interestingly, two other people were kicked in the legs by a 30-year-old church employee, resulting in minor injuries.
The Church of Scientology commented, “Some online are referring to these incidents as ‘speeding.’ In reality, they involve coordinated intrusions into religious and public facilities to gain social media attention,” as noted in the New York Post.
In a statement, the church described how a group had forced entry into their New York location, breaking down a locked door and flooding the premises. They expressed concern for the safety of their staff, parishioners, and visitors, including those attending a seminar at the time, emphasizing that this was no peaceful visit or lawful protest, but an organized act involving property damage and physical assault inside the chapel.
