Scientologists Arrest Protesters, Push Through Ban on Pickets at Cal. Base

The Scientology protesters Mark Bunker, also known as "Wise Beard," and Mark Lowell were arrested yesterday for picketing outside the cult's lavish Gold Base complex in Hemet, California. The arrests are described as "citizen's arrests" instigated by Scientology management, though the two men were taken in by sheriff's deputies. As it happens, if the local Board of Supervisors gets its way, soon anyone protesting closer than 30 feet from the main gate of the complex will be subject to arrest: they yesterday passed a 30-foot ordinance against picketing, largely at the urging of the Scientologists, and on the Board by Jeff Stone, who has received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the Church of Scientology's lawyer, Samuel Alhadeff. Photos via Why We Protest.