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.

. . .