Scientology 'speed running' trend has LA abuzz and church unhappy

[erronis]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/30/hollywood-church-of-scientology-speed-runs

Religious group 'reviewing all available remedies' after clips of young people rushing its buildings in 'raids' go viral

(I guess I should post this under Weird Stuff / Religion)

On any given day, Los Angeles's Hollywood Boulevard teems with tourists and street performers clustered near the area's many landmarks. But in recent months, the strip has been set abuzz for a new reason.

Throngs of mostly adolescent boys and young men have been rushing the Church of Scientology's international headquarters on the famed street.

The so-called "speed runs" appear to be bids for social media valor - clips of the raids have amassed millions of views on TikTok - as much as they are an outgrowth of public intrigue surrounding the church, which has previously drawn accusations of being a cult. Some users have developed blueprints for the building based on information gathered from videos of the raids.

The church issued a Wednesday statement to the Guardian about a "large-scale incident" on Saturday, during which "dozens of individuals" forced their way into its facilities, knocking down staff members in the process.

. . .

[wcmagumba]

1. When I was younger I frequented a cool piano bar in KC...there was a Scientology church upstairs...

We did go up there drunk one night and bought the "book" for 50 cents...we were respectful as a I recall but I never read it...

[erronis]

2. Cool - I used to visit KC KS and MO back in the 60s/70s - some good dive bars back then.

Not sure I can remember the names, but I remember the neighborhoods.

[wcmagumba]

3. That bar was called "Kenny's News Room"...another favorite KC bar of mine in the day was called "Harling's"...

"Harling's" was in the Westport/MidTown area. It wasn't a piano bar but often had live Celtic music groups which were fun...

Also: "The Grand Emporium" was a great little bar...They featured a group called "Fierman and the Kings of Jazz"...a vocal quartet with maybe a drummer and bass for backups...Fun times.

One more that I may not have the name exactly right was "Ernies Tap Room"...middle aged Ernie would usually greet you at the door...The place had really cool back lit cut outs on the walls of odd shapes or something...they usually had a small jazz combo playing live...

[chowder66]

4. The Grand Emporium and Milton's were tied for my favorite places but I also

Last edited Fri May 1, 2026, 09:30 PM - Edit history (1)

liked Epitaph and a few other places. I went to Harling's a few times but then moved away.

[hatrack]

8. I remember Epitaph! It was there that I saw a two-piece band - the Muskrats - perform "Fire" By Arthur Brown . . .

The Muskrats were two guys - guitar and washboard. For this -particular number that had a friend of theirs get up on stage and eat fire while they played. Genius!

[chowder66]

9. I missed that!

[wcmagumba]

11. I remember the Epitaph and went there a couple of times...A true dive bar but cool...

As I recall it was located in a sort of wasteland midtown area of KC...not an area you wanted to spend a lot of time in after dark...

[chowder66]

12. I spent a lot of time there after dark. It was by the KCTV5 News tower.

[hatrack]

13. IIRC, it was right next to the KCMO TV 5 transmission tower, just east of 31st and Main . . .

As you note, great dive bar.

[madinmaryland]

15. Did you meet a guy named Davy, who's in the Navy and probably will be for life.? 😄

[Jacson6]

6. Did this happen in the 50's????

[wcmagumba]

7. How old are you? This was in the late 80s...I did a Google search and there are more than 10 piano bars in KC in 2026.

[Jacson6]

5. Some of these people may get an education in CA religious discrimination law.

You can ask Keith Henson about it from the the late 90's.

[NameAlreadyTaken]

10. Here's an available remedy:

LOCK THE DOORS

[newdeal2]

14. They can't because they want to attract people

They offer “free” personality tests to lure people inside.

I’m totally fine if people want to expose this cult. Doesn’t look like they are doing anything particularly heinous or dangerous.