Los Angeles Live Streamers Disrupt Scientology Recruitment Efforts
Scientology in Hollywood, CA
In Hollywood, CA, Scientology has held a strong real estate presence, using its nonprofit 501 (c)(3) tax status to act as a religion. Yet, some say it very well operates as a business. The Church of Scientology has also faced multiple allegations of functioning as a cult, with former Scientologists recounting their experiences and using platforms to share their stories of the horrors they faced.
Los Angeles Church of Scientology in Hollywood, CA. Credit Stef Arec
Founded in the 1950s by science fiction writer, L Ron Hubbard, Scientologists’ core beliefs rest on accessing eight dynamics that lead to unlocking the inner thetan, similar to the Judeo-Christian soul, an extraterrestrial reincarnation in the body of man.
Three critical Scientology organizations sit on L Ron Hubbard Way, right across from Kaiser Permanente Hollywood: The Church of Scientology, The American Saint Hill Organization, ASHO, and Advanced Organization Los Angeles AOLA.
Church of Scientology Information Center in Hollywood, CA. Credit Stef Arec
Recruitment Hotspots
The star-studded Hollywood Walk of Fame, a world-famous destination garnishing local and international tourism, shares its space with iconic sites like The Hollywood Museum, World of Illusions Los Angeles, and El Capitan Theatre. Sitting on the corner of Hollywood Blvd and McCadden Pl, the Information Center of Scientology Los Angeles, is a perfect location for foot traffic.
Church of Scientology Information Center in Hollywood, CA. Credit Stef Arec
Scientology recruiters, known as Field Staff Members (FSMs), are trained to recruit people for services and will receive a 10-15% commission on every service or product they sell. FSMs filled the streets of Hollywood, using their intensive training to draw people in under the guise of mystery and promises of a better life experience.
Church of Scientology Information Center in Hollywood, CA. Credit Stef Arec
TikTok Live Streamers
While live streaming delivery robots, TikTok content creator, known as @StreetsofLA (TikTok account has been banned as of 1/23/24), or “Streets,” caught wind of the activity outside the Scientology Information Center and turned his attention to capturing the recruitment process and warning every person he could. His videos exposed the notoriety of Scientology to an entirely new generation across the world, and soon, more creators began to protest outside all the Scientology buildings in Los Angeles, all through live streams via TikTok and YouTube.
TikTok @HollywoodAja
@HollywoodAja describes she watched Streets’ Lives in December 2023 and saw Spanish-speaking FSMs targeting her community of Spanish-only speakers. She knew there was a missing piece she could fill to support the movement. She describes the massive diminished recruiting efforts in just the last few weeks.
Protestors on L Ron Hubbard Way, January 20th, 2024
The live streams from protestors and creators garner thousands of viewers on any night. On the night of January 15, 2024, thousands witnessed a popular journalist, @Chris without a hellcat, detained by police while walking on and filming around the Scientology buildings; Scientologists had called in a bomb threat and identified Chris to the LAPD. Seven police cars arrived on the scene, and Chris was handcuffed and placed in the back of a car.
Within minutes, the people watching his livestream pinged other protestors of the situation, and a crowd demanded Chris’s release.
After two hours, Chris was released with an interesting piece of information. While he was detained, Scientologists handed police officers files labeled with all the names of the protestors.
LAPD & Scientology
The question lingering on everyone’s mind was the connection between the LAPD and The Church of Scientology, and what was in those files handed over to law enforcement?
Aaron Smith Levin, known for speaking out against The Church and a former scientologist himself, was visiting Hollywood, CA on January 19th, and live streaming his walk around Hollywood Blvd along with others. He recognized a familiar face - and dog, from a prior attack on protestors earlier in the month.
LAPD officers arrived on scene and were shown video evidence of the assault from three different angeles and multiple witnesses corroborate Aaron’s statement. After two more hours, the assaulter (later identified in an LAPD statement as Patrick Perry) gave his own version of events, accusing Aaron of stalking. Officer Timothy Talman asks Aaron if he would still like to press charges. When the response is a yes, Officer Talman tells Aaron he will also be arrested for felony stalking.
With over 10,000 viewers on his livestream, people were devoted to reviewing multiple angles and conversations and doing their research. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the event:
This is not the first time the LAPD and Scientology relationship has been under scrutiny, with the trial of That 70s Show star Danny Masterson alleging possible ties between the two entities.
“Blue Building, you’re next.”
Many protestors and live streamers alike know they are making a difference in the way Scientology recruits and overall stronghold in Los Angeles. The next area of interest is the blue building on L Hubbard Way.
Church of Scientology, Hollywood, CA. Credit Stef Arec
Every night, thousands tune into live streams, many deviating from normal television, watching protests to see what will be uncovered. How will Scientology respond?
Celebrity Center, Hollywood, CA. Credit Stef Arec
If you are interested in pursuing this story further, I have made a Request for Public Records to the Los Angeles Police Department for a second part of the story. Follow along on TikTok @thewritestef!
