Lisa McPherson died December 5, 1995. Before that we had started annual pickets in Clearwater in March. We did 2 March pickets, then after finding out about Lisa we switched to the weekend nearest December 5. We had pickets in Clearwater March 1996 (we didn't know about Lisa then), March '97, and then December of '98, '99, and 2000.

There was no big picket in 2001 mainly because of the Permanent Injunction Scientology got that caused many people to worry that Scientology would accuse them of violating it if they came to Clearwater, and then would have to come back to defend themselves.

So now December 2002 is coming up. I haven't heard for sure if anyone is going to organize a picket in Clearwater, but if they do, that's cool. I won't be there because I'm a named party in the injunction.

I'll be in LA. Anyway, we should have an international peaceful protest December 7 (Saturday) in honor of the victims of Scientology.

Picketing during the day, and a candlelight vigil in memory of the victims at night.

A vigil is different from a picket in many respects. It's a memorial event where we hired a bagpiper to play. A minister would say a few words about why we were gathered. We would have candles and a wreath.

After the minister spoke, and the bagpiper played "McPherson's Lament"

we would slowly pass the wreath and blow out our candles. We had no signs (except one with a photo of Lisa) and I think we may have had handouts about Lisa explaining the purpose of the vigil.

Anyway, let's make December 7 an International Memorial Picket Day.

http://www.primenet.com/~cultxpt/demo.htm for more info. on previous events and how we did them.

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