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 | German government officials continue to ostrasize Scientologists, most recently by singling out companies owned by Scientologists with a special "S" designation in computer records — in essence, an electronic version of the Star of David German Jews were forced to wear in the 1940s. | |
Some have accused Germany of maintaining a wall of intolerance that stayed in place long after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1990. The second “wall” was breached in July by a spirited protest march in Frankfurt.
Members of German churches of Scientology were joined by leaders of other religions both within and outside the country—as well as scholars, human rights advocates, international celebrities and concerned individuals, nearly 2,000 in all. “The government and the media have both proven they cannot be trusted to tell the truth,” said Sabine Weber, spokesperson for the Church of Scientology in Germany. “So, we decided to take our story to the streets and talk to people directly. It was a tremendous success.”
Among those present to express support was Dr. Gabriele Yonan, noted religious scholar from the University of Berlin. Yonan helped lead the march under the national flags of the 17 countries represented.
Addressing the crowd outside the Alte Oper opera house where the march ended, Yonan said that her reunified nation should be setting an example for Eastern Europe and Russia; instead, the government acts in violation of its Constitution.
Introducing a proposed “Bill of Religious Rights,” Dr. Yonan said the German government should “apply its laws equally... guaranteeing all citizens’ freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and the right to practice the religion of their choice.”
Other leading figures in the demonstration were internationally acclaimed entertainer Isaac Hayes and jazz great Chick Corea. Hayes told the crowd how he had marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1960s and was proud to again stand up for freedom and equality. “If one group loses the right to religious freedom, it will be lost for all,” he said.
Support for the Frankfurt march poured in from around the world. Actress Anne Archer, who helped lead the march, relayed a personal message from John Travolta who said “government persecution of Scientologists and other religions in Germany has gone too far.” Kirstie Alley, in a message read by Hayes, encouraged scholars and experts to continue to condemn human rights violations until the German government “displays basic religious and civil rights for all citizens in Germany.”
Kelly Preston said, “A society that is as evolved and innovative as Germany should be ashamed of this intolerant behavior.”
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