SF Picket Report, Saturday August 5, 2000 It was a sunny and breezy day, perfect for a picket of the San Francisco Scientology Org. I got off to a late start, and was further delayed by a stall on the Bay Bridge. By the time Jour and I arrived at the Org at 12:15, there were already 4 picketers there.

Our new picketers Murdoch and Adam had returned and brought two more with them, Erin and Ryan. This was a most enthusiastic group, with a high energy level, well-equipped with picket signs, and a video camera for those moments when you wish you had one.

Readers may remember that at our last picket a police officer was summoned and Mr. Jeff Quiros of the Org had a complaint about picketers interferring with the functioning of the Stress Test administration.

Indeed, he was quite heated in conversation about this and some other topics. No such events occurred at this picket, in fact the Stress Test Table did not make an appearance, even after we broke for lunch and chat at around 2pm. There was an amusing incident where one of the Scientologists invited our four new picketers to visit inside the Org.

They decided to do so, and those of us who had not been invited or who had no wish to visit, collected their signs to hold for them as it would not be at all seemly to take such items inside the Org. They went in the door and came right back out. It seems that there was some hitch in the proceedings and they were not welcome at that particular time.

Jeff Quiros did come out and take the usual photographs of the usual suspects. I spent most of my time down on the corner where the passing motorists don't have much chance of missing me and my signs, so I didn't really see much of the the interactions between the picketers and the Scientologists. As far as I know, everyone was passably polite. I got the customary honks and thumbs-ups from the passersby, and the funniest comment I heard was from a man who received a flyer, indicated that he had some knowlege of Scientology and expressed his opinion in a heavy foreign accent, "They steal money."

We had a visit from an interested bystander, who spent much time talking with us, and partook of refreshments in the cafe across the street. This visitor had dropped by at a previous picket, and was charming company.

Oh yes, he was also quite nattily attired, in slacks and and impeccable white shirt. I think it does one good to get dressed up for a picket. I myself was a symphony in beige. Beige stretch chinos, wheat and white gingham linen shirt long enough to cover anything that stretch pants make a bit too noticeable, and a cool wheat linen jacket/shirt. Black platform sandals completed the outfit. Jour chose as usual to be a symphony in red, and wore her famous red picketing jammies, accented by the bright yellow strap holding her half-a-sandwich board. The new picketers chose casual dress. Phr arrived stunningly late, wearing his customary stunning black ensemble.

After the refreshments, we went back for another hour of picketing. As I returned I saw Mr. Quiros disappearing around the corner. I'm glad that he was confident enough in our good manners to let others mind the shop and I hope he had a pleasant and relaxing rest-of-the-afternoon.

This just in... one of my smaller neighbors informs me that The Loudmouth came by my house and walked up on my porch and left a flyer about me there. I am assuming that it was one of the customary "Religious Bigot" flyers. I didn't see it. On of my other smaller neighbors saw him put it there and came up and took it away.

Peach

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