Sometimes, a crime can become a popular TikTok trend. This month, the trend in question is called “Scientology runs” or “Scientology speed runs.” In these runs, people storm into Church of Scientology buildings. In some incidents, church staff has been pushed and property damaged. The trend started after a California-based content creator posted a video of himself entering and running through a Los Angeles Scientology building. After his video went viral, copycats started reaching out to him and doing their own versions of the stunt. To deter more incidents, the church in Hollywood is reported to have removed the door handles from their building.
The content creator who filmed and posted the first Scientology run is now encouraging others to stop. The most recent NBC coverage of the speed running trend was of an incident in New York.
Bickerton Law Blog Lawyer’s Perspective:
“Going into someone’s property without an invitation is usually a clear case of trespassing. Where things get a little bit murky is if the building is usually open to the public. If it’s a public building, then you need to know if the person entered places that aren’t open to the public or if they didn’t leave after being asked to. So, while the first person who did the run is saying that he didn’t break the law, others may disagree if he ventured into places that weren’t open to the public or if he didn’t leave when asked.
Another thing to consider is that a house of worship and other religious buildings are protected by laws outside of trespassing and burglary statutes. While just running through a religious building may only be trespassing, damaging church property is institutional vandalism. In some cases, those acts of vandalism may be considered to be desecration of venerated objects. This is another situation where people need to know that a trend could be a crime.”—Lea Bickerton
Key Takeaways:
- A new TikTok trend has people running through Scientology buildings
- Some of the runners have assaulted staff and damaged property
- Scientology runs can be trespassing, harassment, institutional vandalism, and desecration of venerated objects
