Viral TikTok ‘Speed Running’ Trend Sparks Mob Invasions of Scientology Churches at NYC and Hollywood

A bizarre new TikTok trend dubbed “Scientology speed running” is driving throngs of teenagers to storm Church of Scientology facilities on both the East and West coasts. Treating the religious buildings like real-life video game obstacle courses, the vandals are filming themselves sprinting through the properties to see how far they can get before security intercepts them.The latest strike occurred Saturday afternoon, when a mob of some 50 teenagers stormed a Church of Scientology near Times Square in New York City. The teens forced their way into the building through a locked side door, disrupting an ongoing seminar and vandalizing the property before scattering in all directions.No arrests have been made as the New York Police Department investigates the chaotic scene.The Midtown Manhattan incident is the latest escalation of a bizarre viral TikTok trend, which began in April. Using video game terminology, the teens treat church facilities like obstacle courses, filming themselves sprinting through buildings to see how far they can get — or unlock parts of a “level map” — before being intercepted by security.The Church of Scientology International strongly condemned the viral stunt. “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 in a statement. “The disruption endangered staff, parishioners and visitors, including individuals attending a seminar at the time. This was not a peaceful visit or lawful protest. It was a coordinated act involving forced entry, property damage, and physical aggression inside a house of worship,” the church said.The social media craze originally erupted in California, where Scientology properties along Hollywood Boulevard have faced repeated incursions since early April. In one recent incident, dozens of costumed individuals — including one dressed as Jesus Christ — forced open a door after a tug-of-war with a guard. The footage shows the group sprinting up stairs and clashing with security, treating the encounter like a real-life gaming boss fight. In response to the breaches at the Ivar Avenue building that houses an exhibit dedicated to founder L. Ron Hubbard, the external door handles were temporarily removed from three of Scientology’s Hollywood properties.The Los Angeles Police Department has received multiple reports of trespassing and the Major Crimes Division was tasked with investigating the large-scale incidents as alleged hate crimes. A church spokesman said that some employees have been knocked down during the chaos and at least one required medical attention.While some anti-Scientology activists view the incursions as a form of protest against an organization facing severe allegations, prominent critics of the organization are warning against the tactic. Actress Leah Remini, who famously broke from Scientology and is now an outspoken activist, argued that the stunts only reinforce the church’s indoctrination.“Whether these people are doing it for social media clout or to genuinely expose the abuses of Scientology, what they are doing is unhelpful, and by engaging in these actions, they are unwittingly helping Scientology,” Ms. Remini wrote on X. “I want as many people as possible talking about the dangers and criminality of Scientology. But I spent decades on the other side of this, and if I had been confronted by people running through Scientology buildings and harassing me or staff, it would have pushed me further into Scientology,” she said, adding, “Please focus on exposing the dangers of Scientology, not making a spectacle out of it.”

Viral TikTok ‘Speed Running’ Trend Sparks Mob Invasions of Scientology Churches at NYC and Hollywood

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