The Stop Scientology Disconnection Project

https://www.gofundme.com/reconnectingfamily

Regency Outdoor caves to Scientology, cancels ‘disconnection’ billboard.

This just in from Tony Ortega:

Regency Outdoor caves to Scientology, cancels ‘disconnection’ billboard

http://tonyortega.org/2016/03/15/re...-scientology-cancels-disconnection-billboard/

* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *

Another billboard company has caved from the pressure applied by the Church of Scientology. Phil Jones learned this afternoon that Regency Outdoor Advertising, which had planned to put up Phil’s billboard this weekend for Tuesday’s unveiling, has now cancelled on him.

We talked to Phil’s sales rep at Regency, who told us that the decision was made by owner Brian Kennedy. Why did he change his mind? we asked. “I have no idea. He’s not disclosing it,” she said, sounding defeated.

* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *

Song in support of the Stop Scientology Disconnection billboard project.



Published on Mar 15, 2016

-Video Upload powered by https://www.TunesToTube.com

https://www.gofundme.com/reconnectingfamily

Song Written and Recorded to help in the GoFundMe Billboard Project - To get a message to loved ones in Scientology who have been disconnected.

The 'poons.

Man them.

http://www.regencyoutdoor.com/

For Sales Information Please Call Us Toll Free
1 (877) 8 REGENCY - 1 (877) 873-4362
Local Tel: (310) 657-8883 Fax: (310) 657-8073
8820 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, California 90069

E-Mails
Sales: sales @ regencyoutdoor.com
Webmaster:
webmaster @ regencyoutdoor.com

The scientology corporation has enough money to just buy out the billboard company, so it probably paid owner some amount he couldn't reject, gag order and all,

or Miscavige blackmailed him,

or both.

https://www.gofundme.com/reconnectingfamily

Might want to poon the authors of these articles, too -

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friend...riticizing-scientologys-disconnection-policy/

https://www.rawstory.com/2016/03/ad...illboard-near-churchs-hollywood-headquarters/

http://pagesix.com/2016/03/09/this-billboard-is-really-going-to-piss-off-scientologists/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...to-put-up-giant-billboard-over-Church-HQ.html

http://www.inquisitr.com/2881798/to...s-church-members-to-contact-estranged-family/

https://www.gofundme.com/reconnectingfamily

Here's a novel idea.....don't fucking publicize where the billboard will be put up.

I was a bit surprised that the guy decided to publicize that through Ortega. Dumb choice.

FWIW, Phil Jones addressed the issue as follows:

http://tonyortega.org/2016/03/15/re...s-disconnection-billboard/#comment-2571893120

* * * * * BEGIN QUOTATION * * * * *

Sid (Phil Jones) • 5 hours ago

I know some have wondered about announcing this billboard ahead of time. One reason was to raise money as we couldn't afford it ourselves. Once we had the money I didn't think it right to just go silent. If someone donates money to a cause and then hears nothing it just doesn't look good in my mind. Also, I wanted this to have a big impact and putting the word out could bring more press and bigger crowd to the event. And one last thing, we don't want to be silent. Scientology has tried to make us silent for too long. We want to shout from the rooftops. And if they shut us down we will shout louder. At some point the kids might hear us.

* * * * * END QUOTATION * * * * *

Nonetheless, I suspect he may change his strategy -- if there are any billboard companies left.

Whether playing chess or fighting a war, you don't tell your opponent what your next move is going to be.

https://www.gofundme.com/reconnectingfamily

Did Church of Scientology block anti-Scientology billboard?

Page Six: Did church block anti-Scientology billboard?

http://pagesix.com/2016/03/16/church-blocking-anti-scientology-billboard/

* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *

The Church of Scientology is under fire again for using its wealth to allegedly silence former members.

Page Six reported last week that husband and wife Phil and Willie Jones, who left the church, raised more than $10,000 for an LA billboard criticizing Scientology.

Several former members helped the couple after Tony Ortega posted their story on his Scientology blog. But after the spouses struck a deal with Regency Outdoor Advertising to put up their ad a block from church leader David Miscavige’s office on Tuesday, they said Regency abruptly pulled the plug.

“Everything was in place and then bam! We were shut down,” Phil said. He added, “[A Regency sales rep] called to let me know that it had come down from the owner, but she wasn’t told why. She originally had three calls from Scientology’s media company, who wanted to buy all of their inventory. They are a huge media buyer and apparently wanted to block it through the end of July.”

The Jones’ adult children “disconnected” from them after they left the church. The couple wants to spread awareness about the church’s practices.

* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *

Scientology at Comic Con: An attempt at a minor intervention, as told by Phil Jones

By Phil Jones, The Underground Bunker, March 28, 2016

It’s been a few years since we’ve seen or heard from our daughter Emily. This has been agony for both Willie and me. There has been no chance for us even to get a message to her. Then, recently we found out that Emily was going to be at Comic Con in Salt Lake City. A friend very kindly offered to go and pass along a note to Emily.

Our friend went to Comic Con to deliver the message. When they observed Emily in the booth, they noted that John Goodwin, her husband, wouldn’t let her wander more than two feet away from him at any time. They felt he was very controlling of her and that she didn’t look happy at all. They said more than once how unhappy Emily looked and how controlled by her husband she was even before our friend approached her. Emily got married last year sometime. We weren’t even told and only heard through the grapevine that she was married.

After our friend waited a while, Emily finally left the booth and went out into the aisle. Our friend approached her and asked if she was Emily. “Yes,” she said. Our friend handed her the note and said, “This is from your parents.” The look on Emily’s face was shock and dismay, but she did take the note. She then turned to give the note to her husband, too afraid to open it. Our friend then left right away before any of the men from the booth could come out and confront them. They weren’t sure if Emily opened or read the note or not.

I hear this and it just makes me sad. I hear that our kids are suffering abuse and feel so helpless. This is the reason we fight this disconnection practice by Scientology. It’s not just the disconnection issue but the abuse that goes on that our kids, and so many others are subjected to. And it is abuse.

— Phil Jones

http://tonyortega.org/2016/03/28/sc...t-a-minor-intervention-as-told-by-phil-jones/

I just found this nice piece by Jeffrey Augustine where he argues that blocking the Jones' billboard is a violation of their rights, and should be reported to the IRS. He includes a link back to his instructions for filling out an IRS form 13909.

Looks like he posted it 2 weeks ago, right after Regency Outdoor's Brian Kennedy reneged on the contract. I'll be filling out my own 13909 as soon as I have time to sit down and dig through the links in this thread to find all the info I need...

Regency Outdoor Advertising Gives in to Scientology Intimidation

Kennedy’s capitulation to the Scientology cult aside, the real issue is if the Church of Scientology engaged in violations of public policy by spending tax exempt dollars in a conspiracy designed to deprive the Jones’ of their civil rights, particularly Freedom of Speech.
<snip>
The Church has now twice succeeded in destroying the free speech of the Jones. This is a clear violation of public policy and needs to be reported to the IRS Exempt Organizations. Churches are not given tax exemption in order to engage in a systematic conspiracy to destroy the free speech of others.
Please send in a form 13909 to the IRS. Instructions and the form are here. The offending entity is:


Church of Scientology International – EIN 59-2153393
6331 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 1100
Hollywood, CA 90028


The specific violation alleged is that the Church of Scientology International is spending tax-exempt monies in a conspiracy designed to deprive Phil and Willie Jones of their rights to free speech and freedom of expression. The specific allegation should cite:

More here -

http://scientologymoneyproject.com/...rtising-gives-in-to-scientology-intimidation/

The Billboard is UP!

Just announced at Tony Ortega's Bunker -

http://tonyortega.org/2016/04/04/th...-disconnection-policy-on-view-in-los-angeles/

UPDATE: Here’s what Phil just sent us about the billboard:

Well, we finally did it. After Scientology shot down our first 2 attempts we now have a billboard up. This billboard belongs to the hundreds of people who so generously donated their time and money to this project. It also represents the thousands of families affected by the abuse of Scientology’s practice of disconnection. For all their talk of improving family relations Scientology has, at least with my wife and me, attempted to stop us at every turn from seeing our children. In addition to firewalling our desire to see our kids they have actively worked to poison the kids’ attitude against us. And I’ve heard similar stories from many other families who have encountered the enforced disconnection from their loved ones in Scientology.

We chose this current location for the billboard because it gets 244,601 views (+18) per week, which is about a million views per month. That’s a lot of people seeing our message. That as well as the amazing media coverage we’ve had so far.

The little disclaimer on the lower left with my name on it was something the billboard company required.

I know that some will want more Sea Org and staff to get eyes on, but there are few billboards that are in direct view of the highly closeted Sea Org members available. This billboard is the broadside. For getting the message of the “Call Me” billboard directly to the staff we have other projects we’re working on to accomplish that. Stay tuned. We aren’t done yet.

We hope this billboard inspires hope. There are children, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents, and friends who want to see their loved ones again. Our voices together will break down the barrier Scientology has put up. Believe me, there is hope. We will break through.

On Wednesday at 10am we will be doing an official launch. I hope some of you can come down and meet us there. We’ll be at 1710 Glendale Blvd, Echo Park, CA 90026 and the billboard is right across the street.

http://tonyortega.org/2016/04/04/th...-disconnection-policy-on-view-in-los-angeles/

Billboard against Scientology disconnection is located at 1631 Glendale Blvd., in Echo Park, Los Angeles, CA.

Having driven down Glendale Blvd. hundreds of times, I can tell you that it is a very congested area during weekdays. It's right next to Chinatown. I'm not sure how many clams drive that way, though.

From Phil Jones on Tony's blog.

http://tonyortega.org/2016/04/04/th...cy-on-view-in-los-angeles/#comment-2606160653

* * * * BEGIN QUOTATION * * * *

Sid (Phil Jones) Eivol Ekdal • 3 hours ago

This billboard is bigger than the original ones we had contracted to do and therefore more expensive. We have it for one month now and will either work to get an addition month or find another location we can put one up. We continue the fight.

* * * * * END QUOTATION * * * * *

HT - http://www.forum.exscn.net/showthre...od-Boulevard&p=1094010&viewfull=1#post1094010

Page Six: Anti-Scientology billboard finally up in Los Angeles.

http://pagesix.com/2016/04/04/anti-scientology-billboard-finally-up-in-los-angeles/

* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *

Anti-Scientology billboard finally up in Los Angeles

By Carlos Greer April 4, 2016 | 9:55pm

Former Scientology members Phil and Willie Jones’ anti-church billboards finally went up Monday morning in LA, after two outdoor-ad companies allegedly booked, then canceled the ads due to pressure from the church.

Lamar Advertising put up one sign in Echo Park and is cutting nearby trees for greater visibility, says Scientology blogger Tony Ortega. The Joneses plan a “dedication ceremony” on Wednesday.

Their ad criticizing Scientology’s alleged practice of “disconnection” from family members reads, “To my loved one in Scientology .?.?. Call me.”


* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *

Anyone who feels like sending poons - all these authors except pagesix.

2007 NW/SE traffic on Glendale Blvd. as measured at the nearby corner of Glendale and Berkeley.

See:

http://navigatela.lacity.org/navigatela/

http://navigatela.lacity.org/dot/traffic_data/automatic_counts/GLENDALE.BERKELEY.070627-AUTO.pdf

Echo Park Billboard Calls For End Of ‘Scientology Disconnection’

CBS Los Angeles: Echo Park Billboard Calls For End Of ‘Scientology Disconnection’

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2016...ientology-disconnection/#.VwQxyhA-v3Q.twitter

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LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) – A billboard that went up in Echo Park Monday is asking members of the Church of Scientology to reconnect with their estranged loved ones.

“To my loved ones in Scientology … call me,” the billboard says.

The billboard is in an effort to call attention to the church’s policy of disconnection, in which church members sever ties from non-church members.

It was paid for by a GoFundMe crowdfunding effort spearheaded by Las Vegas couple Phil and Willie Jones that raised $13,000.

They were previously Scientologists but left the church. Their children are still employees of the Church’s Sea Org, which meager wages and comes with a billion-year commitment.

* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *

https://twitter.com/LeahRemini/status/717472589157765120

Controversial Billboard Goes Up In Echo Park: To My Loved One In Scientology, Call Me

A very good, succinct article that summarizes not only the history of the billboard, but the underlying issues. Read it all.

LAist: Controversial Billboard Goes Up In Echo Park: 'To My Loved One In Scientology... Call Me'

http://laist.com/2016/04/05/scientology_billboard_echo_park.php

* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *

A billboard telling Church of Scientology members to call their estranged loved ones has gone up in Echo Park. The sign takes aim at the Church's controversial policy of disconnection, but there's a sorrowful personal story behind it.

Las Vegas couple Phil and Willie Jones left the Church, but their grown children are still employees for the Church's Sea Org, which requires long hours, little pay and a billion year contract, according to The Underground Bunker. Because their parents left the Church and have become outspoken critics, they have been required to cut off all ties from their parents or in Church terminology "disconnect." The couple created a website discussing the policy.

Scientology describes disconnection as a necessary way to deal with someone who is "antagonistic to Scientology or its tenets" and impedes a member's spiritual progress. L. Ron Hubbard said:

"It is much like trying to deal with a criminal. If he will not handle, the society resorts to the only other solution: It ‘disconnects’ the criminal from the society. In other words, they remove the guy from society and put him in a prison because he won’t handle his problem or otherwise cease to commit criminal acts against others."

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CBS billboards is one of the companies that refused to post the sign.

CBS LA VIDEO: Echo Park Billboard Asks Scientologists To Reconnect With Estranged Loved Ones

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/show...gists-to-reconnect-with-estranged-loved-ones/

Echo Park Billboard Asks Scientologists To Reconnect With Estranged Loved Ones

A billboard that went up in Echo Park Monday is asking members of the Church of Scientology to reconnect with their estranged loved ones. Jeff Nguyen reports.

Patheos: There’s Finally a Billboard Up in Los Angeles Criticizing Scientology’s “Disconnection” Policy

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friend...riticizing-scientologys-disconnection-policy/

Parents buy Echo Park billboard to reach children in Church of Scientology.

ABC News 7: Parents buy Echo Park billboard to reach children in Church of Scientology

http://abc7.com/news/parents-buys-e...ch-children-in-church-of-scientology/1278396/

Video at link.

* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *

Parents buy Echo Park billboard to reach children in Church of Scientology

By Melissa MacBride

Updated 28 mins ago

ECHO PARK, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A mom and dad with two children in the Church of Scientology paid for a giant billboard posted in Echo Park in an effort to reach out to their son and daughter.

After decades, Willie and Phil Jones left the church and now haven't spoken to their daughter Emily or their son Mike in two years.

They've been disconnected, which is what Scientologists call their choice to cut off communication with people outside the church. Mike and Emily Jones are Scientologists. Emily Jones' parents said she also works for the upper management of the church.

"We know what the conditioning is and what goes on there. It is a form of hypnosis. We've experienced it, we went through it. We were in that mindset for years," Phil Jones said.

Willie and Phil Jones decided to reach out to their children through a billboard after they raised enough money to keep it on display for one month.

The billboard was posted on busy Glendale Boulevard and it's estimated that 1 million people will see it.

It reads, "To my loved one in Scientology... call me."

The parents said they decided to post the billboard after conventional methods for reaching their children failed.

"Calling every week, showing up at the doorstep of the church and we've been flat out told we're not welcomed," Willie Jones said.


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YouTube video: Echo Park Billboard Asks Scientologists To Reconnect With Estranged Loved Ones.

From CBS in Los Angeles.

The ABC Los Angeles news video is now on Yahoo.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/parents-buy-echo-park-billboard-064212953.html

Billboard takes aim at Scientology in their backyard.

KSNV News 3 Las Vegas: Billboard takes aim at Scientology in their backyard

http://news3lv.com/news/local/scientology-04-05-2016

Video at link.

* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *

LAS VEGAS (KSNV News3LV) — For two Las Vegas parents, a billboard could be their last chance at seeing their kids one more time.

Phil and Willie Jones are former Scientologists who left the controversial religion four years ago. They tell News 3 that since they left, the family they have who still practice have "disconnected".

Disconnection is a practice where people in the church shun the people who leave.

The Joneses haven't seen their two adult children in three years. They heard about their daughter's wedding through Facebook. Every week they say they make attempts to reach out to the kids who now live in Los Angeles and work for the church through their "SeaOrg" program.

So far, the Joneses claim the church has not allowed any communication. That's when they had an idea. Like a message in a bottle, they planned on sending out a note in the desperate hope their loved ones would see it.

After a Go Fund Me account that raised more than $10K in 48 hours they set it up. A billboard now looms over the busy traffic in Los Angeles' Echo Park neighborhood with the message "To my loved one in Scientology. call me."

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heatin' up!
Pass the marshmallows!

NBC LA Video: Billboard Takes Aim at Church of Scientology.

Video at link.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/on-air...entology-Billboard_Los-Angeles-374755341.html

Billboard Takes Aim at Church of Scientology

A billboard in Echo Park has a personal message behind it. Adrian Arambulo reports for Today in LA on Wednesday April 6, 2016.

Woo-hoo! Pretty much on the 'awesome' side of the scale imho, good on them, Streisand Effect in 3... 2... 1...

Parents buy billboard in Echo Park to reach children in Scientology


ECHO PARK, Calif. (FOX 11) - This billboard is quickly becoming controversial, and it's about to get even more so with what's happening in a dedication ceremony with an official ribbon cutting to unveil the billboard.
This is 1710 Glendale Boulevard in Echo Park. Two people from Las Vegas are responsible for it - parents Phil and Willie Jones. They dropped out of the Church Of Scientology a while ago, but their adult children - a daughter and a son, are still active members and the Jones' say they have been forbidden to have any communication with their children, Emily and Mike.

More here, with Video - http://www.foxla.com/news/local-news/118154537-story
That makes it a Grand Slam - TV news coverage from all 4 major networks' LA news outlets - CBS, NBC, ABC, and FOX.

Anti-Scientology Billboard Begs Estranged Kids to Call Home | Curbed LA

By the time the ad is taken down, it is estimated that more than a million people will have seen it.

http://la.curbed.com/2016/4/6/11380774/echo-park-billboard-scientology

Parents Use Billboard in Echo Park in Attempt to Reach Out to Children in Scientology | KTLA

http://ktla.com/2016/04/06/parents-...empt-to-reach-out-to-children-in-scientology/