A staff worker at the West 36th Street Church of Scientology sustained minor injuries after a group of people broke inthrough a locked door on May 2. The incident continues the popular social media trend of “speed running” or rushing into Scientology buildings.
The New York City Police Department responded to a burglary call shortly after 4 p.m., reporting that several people had broken in through a side door and damaged property.
According to the church, the group consisted of about 30 people. Church officials stated that “objects were thrown, and a staff member was physically struck and injured, requiring medical attention.” Another staff member, a 30-year-old male, was injured but not hospitalized.
After the incident, the NYPD said the group fled in “an unknown direction” and that no arrests were made. The church stated that it is working with law enforcement to provide evidence, including videotape footage.
Groups have filmed similar stunts, later posting it to TikTok as part of a wider “speedrunning” trend that started in the Church of Scientology’s Hollywood building.
Typically, “speedrunners” attempt to make it as far into the building as possible, filming as many private rooms as they can before getting kicked out. Many are in costume, with videos featuring a speed runner dressed up as Jesus, Gru and the Minions and others in various outfits.
One runner describes it as “trying to unlock as much as we can of the ‘map’ – is what they call it, to see what they have hidden. Because they keep it very strict in there. You can’t see anything up above. It’s very secret and we want to know what it is all about.” Scientology staff disagree.
“The church welcomes lawful visitors,” the Church of Scientology said in a statement. “It does not welcome mobs forcing entry, damaging property, disrupting religious spaces or endangering people for views.”
The trend was started by 18-year-old influencer Swhileyy in late March, after he posted a video of his run through the Los Angeles Scientology building lobby.
Since then, other groups have repeated the trend at different buildings, causing the recruitment center to close its doors to the public and remove door handles at several of its locations.
The “speedruns,” initially confined to the LA buildings, have even spread internationally, making their way to Scientology buildings in Vancouver and Edinburgh.
The Church of Scientology is notable for its celebrity followers, such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta. However, it has also been subject to litigation in the past over alleged harassment, defamation and surveillance of its adherents.
The church’s secrecy has been subject to public scrutiny in the past, and the new trend of “speedrunning” reflects the latest iteration of criticisms against it.
