Mob of teens storms Times Square Scientology church amid viral speed running trend
A mob of rowdy teens stormed a Big Apple Scientology church Saturday afternoon, trashing the property and injuring a security guard amid a nationwide rash of similar viral social media stunts, police and sources said.About 50 unruly youths barreled through a locked side door of the Church of Scientology of New York — which sits just off Times Square on West 46th Street — at around 4:24 p.m., damaging the premises while worshipers and visitors were attending a seminar, according to cops, police sources and the church.They also kicked a 30-year-old man, believed to be a security guard, who was walloped in the leg and sustained minor injuries.The rampaging teens — whose act resembled the “speed running” trend that has seen similar invasions at Scientology locations in Los Angeles — also hurled a racial slur at another staffer, the church said.“I saw about possibly about 50 kids with masks and hoodies.All races, black, whites, Asians, running,” said George Shannon, 58, a guard at the near-by Lunt-Fontanne Theater.“They were running and laughing.
They were breaking up the chairs and tables and throwing books on the ground, vandalizing the church.”While police did not address a motive for the attack, The Church of Scientology International, based in Los Angeles, said that they believe it is part of the recent viral trend“Some online have referred to these incidents as ‘speed running.’ In reality, they involve organized trespasses into religious and public information facilities for social media attention,” the church said.“A group of individuals forced their way into the Church of Scientology New York, broke a locked door to gain entry, and rushed into the building,” the church added.“The disruption endangered staff, parishioners and visitors, including individuals attending a seminar at the time.This was not a peaceful visit or lawful protested.
It was a coordinated act involving forced entry, property damage, and physical aggression i...