Recent actions taken by some Church of Scientology buildings appear to be a direct response to a burgeoning online phenomenon. Reports indicate that door handles have been removed from entrances at certain Scientology facilities, particularly in Hollywood, California, and potentially in Clearwater, Florida. This move follows a surge in viral TikTok videos depicting individuals, often in groups, entering these buildings rapidly, a trend dubbed "speedrunning."
The alterations, including the removal of door handles and the alleged use of chained doors and internal barricades, aim to impede the unauthorized entry characteristic of the speedrun stunts. These stunts, which have garnered millions of views across social media platforms, involve participants pushing through doors and moving quickly through the interior spaces of Scientology sites. The Church of Scientology has not issued a public statement regarding these specific incidents or the alleged security modifications.
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Further complicating the situation, police in Los Angeles have reported at least five trespassing incidents at Scientology properties in Hollywood this year, with all alleged incidents occurring at either the Hubbard exhibit or the church's information center. While the Church of Scientology has reportedly denied wrongdoing in these cases, the trend has drawn attention, with some social media posts suggesting the presence of armed guards outside the Hollywood location and comparisons to human barricades or "Red Rover Defense" tactics by staff.
The speedrunning trend, which gained traction roughly a month ago following a widely shared video of someone entering a Scientology center on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, appears to be fueled by the organization's historical reputation for secrecy. Participants, sometimes referred to as "raiders," have been observed creating hand-drawn maps of the buildings based on video footage. In at least one instance in Clearwater, Florida, a similar stunt reportedly resulted in a felony arrest. Concerns have also been raised regarding potential fire code violations related to the removal of door handles.
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This wave of activity represents a significant escalation in disruptive behavior targeting Scientology establishments. The speedrun phenomenon appears to be treated by its participants as a game-like challenge, akin to video game speedruns, with the objective of advancing as far as possible inside the buildings before being apprehended.
