SCIENTOLOGY CONFERENCE, ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER AUG. 25-29 1976

qfrom Henrietta Crampton

On Aug. 26 two Scientologists visited us in our home in an effort, they said, to resolve our differences. They asked me to tell parents who are dissatisfied because their children are in Scientology to contact them directly so they can resolve the problem. They particularly wanted to know if we planned to protest at the conference.

We were told about various law suits Scientology had won in cases against people who had told lies about them. We got their message! After about 5 hours of discourse and several requests by us that they leave, they finally departed.

On Aug. 28 about 10 A.M. I received a call from a woman who said she was Joan Baker of KTTV, Channel 11 (On Target News has assisted our efforts before) She siad she had heard through the L.A. Times that we would protest Scientology and asked for the time so they could cover it. I said 11 A.M. and she requested us to postpone until 3 P.M. I said I would try to contact our people. But Bob C[] had already left and I realized others must have also so I called KTTV to say we could not postpone. No one from KTTV had called me! No Joan Baker works for KTTV! A word to the wise. Know who you are talking to!

After hanging up the phone, I saw the two Scientologists getting out of their car in our driveway. I was not very polite. In fact I told them to leave before I called the police.

On Aug 27 about midnight two different Scientologists were waiting for Bob C[] near his home. They knew his name and that he had recently been in Indonesia. They had even called him on his unlisted number. They learn a few things about us and then attempt to make us fear that they have us under surveillance. This method is used to intimidate people.

We were given special attention at the convention center. They told us whoever had the best sign would receive a free course in Scien- tology as a prize. We had Scientology buddies to walk by us. Actually it made us look stronger. One Scientologist, dresses as a duck, rep- resented the psychiatrists they consider all quacks. Mental illness is a metaphor to Scientologists. According to the ones we talked to, Sci- entology cures mental illness. They hastily put a few signs together (is that why they wanted us to wait until 3 P.M.?) Their signs con- demned Ted Patrick, Volunteer Parents and psychiatrists or said "Parents for Scientology" They brought out a procession of children but our sign "Save Children from Cult Slavery" carried our message. We carried signs with such slogans as "Scientology: Religion or Racket?" "Does Scientology Cure of Procure?" "Don't Criticize Scientology. They May Sue" "Ted Patrick Saved Our Children"

One of the protestors is handicapped by poor eyesight. Her Scientol- ogy 'buddy' kept trying to seperate her from her daughter. At one point she was crowded off the sidewalk and she bumped into a fire plug. She was mocked by "What is the matter, are you blind?" It is difficult not to react to that kind of harassment.

William Willoughby was seen chatting with the Scientologists. He still presents the cult viewpoint. He does not believe, for example, that parents are denied the right to visit their children at the Alamo Foundation. Please, Alamo parents, write to him and tell your experiences when you attempted to visit your children. I told him I could provide the names of parents, but it would be better if you each wrote to him yourself. Send a copy of your letter to his editor as well, if you want to be more effective. William Willoughby, Washington Star, 225 Virginia Ave. S.E. Washington, D.C. 20061. James G. Bellows is the editor. Don't be afraid to express yourself!

Several people asked us "Who is behind you?" They just cannot understand how parents have been able to unite to expose cults. By instinct, parents protect they young at all costs. That is what we are trying to do. By openly showing these cult leaders that we do not fear them, we have taken the offense and that is the best defense.

Richard Alatorre was scheduled to speak, so write to express your opinion to him also. 48th Assembly District, State of California, 5916 Figueroa North, Los Angeles, CA 90042.

We feel, especially with the help Scientology gave us, that our protest was effective.

end Henri's report on the picket

I remember that day well and in that the Holiday season has rolled around it is a time to think of old friends that are deceased as well as those who remain on our card list. Henrietta and Curt Crampton were wonderful people and among the original SP's. I couldn' t hold a candle to the wonderul works they produced . Their home was open to all of us who had lost loved ones to one cult or another. I used to fly down from the Bay area to help her with files and answering letters and the numerous phone calls. Neither one ever lost patience and I marvel at remembering how they kept their cool when one after another sceino spy would come into their lives. Curt greeted them one by one and hoped when they left they were a little better informed as to destructive cultism. Henri usually offered them coffee and a nice lunch. Some left the cult due to the times spent with them . Because of the Cramptons I am able to sit here today as they played a major part on my keeping on keeping on.

Ida Camburn

Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose. Helen Keller (1880 - 1968)