Costumed Crowd Speedruns Scientology Building: A Viral Social Media Trend
Last Saturday, a peculiar scene unfolded on Hollywood Boulevard as someone dressed as Jesus, along with dozens of costumed individuals, was captured on video forcing open the door of a Scientology building. The Los Angeles Times reports that this group, seen in masks and costumes, engaged in a heated struggle with a security guard before making their way inside. Footage shared on TikTok and Instagram shows the group sprinting up and down the stairs, clashing with security personnel clad in black shirts, and laughing as church members urged them to leave.
The Viral Appeal of the Trend
On their way out, as security approached with fire extinguishers, one of the intruders paused to dance in celebration—a move reminiscent of a taunt from the popular video game Fortnite. For weeks, similar groups have been infiltrating two Scientology properties in Hollywood, testing the limits of how far they can venture before being expelled by church staff. The trend has sparked significant attention online, with participants seemingly relishing the thrill of the chase.
Church officials have condemned these incidents, labeling them as “hate crimes.” After a large group stormed the Ivar Avenue building, which houses an exhibit dedicated to Scientology’s founder L. Ron Hubbard, on Saturday, the church responded by removing exterior door handles from three of its Hollywood Boulevard properties. By Monday afternoon, guards were visibly blocking the entrance to one building.
No Arrests Made, but Concerns Raised
Despite the disruptive nature of these intrusions, no arrests have been made. The Associated Press highlights a joke left on one of the videos: if participants reach the top of the building, they would encounter Tom Cruise. This light-hearted approach to what the church views as serious transgressions underscores the varied public perception of the events.
A commenter on a recent TikTok video questioned the motivation behind these actions, to which another user replied, “because it’s fun.” The trend’s originator, an 18-year-old, revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that his initial video garnered over 100 million views. He noted, “From then on, I pretty much knew that Scientology was like a free gateway to many points of view.”
Digital Recreation and Cultural Impact
The trend has even transcended into digital realms, with Vulture noting the existence of a Roblox recreation based on real video footage. This digital adaptation signifies the broader cultural impact and fascination surrounding the trend, as well as its reach into different media.
The spectacle of costumed individuals racing through Scientology buildings raises questions about the intersection of social media, public perception, and religious boundaries. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how authorities and the Church of Scientology will respond to these unconventional challenges.
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