Do citizens have a legal right to peacefully protest in front of organizations that they disagree with?

The 'Church' of Scientology says that we don't. They have filed a criminal charge of 'harassment' against Gregg Housh, a local participant in masked 'Anonymous' protests near their 448 Beacon Street facility. Housh was just one of many particpants in these events, but Scientology singled him out for prosecution because he signed the paperwork applying for a protest permit at Boston City Hall.

Housh will be arraigned tomorrow in Boston Municipal Court. Read more about the case at Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, or watch Housh and Scientology's lawyer go at it on the April 24 edition of WGBH's Greater Boston.

The internet phenomenon known as 'Anonymous' will conduct its third monthly protest against the 'Church' of Scientology this Saturday, April 12.

This month's event is called Operation Reconnect, focusing on Scientology's policy of forcibly "disconnecting" family members who leave the organization from those who remain in it.

Steve Garfield was there on Beacon Street, took photos (such as the above) and shot videos:

... It was cold and rainy with temperatures in the 30's. The group of protesters I saw there looked like a cross between an Improv Everywhere and and Halloween party crowd. ...

BOSTON – Local members of the Church of Scientology, a religion well-known for its stance against mind altering drugs, brought their Drug Free Marshals program to children around the innercity on Tuesday, June 26th, as part of the Church’s international movement to forward the United Nations’ International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking www.un.org/NewLinks/drugs

Adam Reilly wonders how BostonNow came to do a puff piece on Scientology tutoring in Roxbury (part 1 of a 2-part series, apparently).

It was a fantastic moment when the Boston Scientology Ministers realized that they had just received this donation to continue their weekly distribution of The Way to Happiness - A Common Sense Guide to A Happier, More Successful Life Booklet. The Volunteer Ministers and local business owners distribute this booklet throughout the neighborhoods of Boston. It is just one of the many public services of the Ministry.

Mark says he was amazed last week to see what good business Scientologists were doing at tables at the Porter Square T stop. He finally sprang into action:

... My anger at the Scientologists, shown in a couple of brief exchanges between errands, surprised me. It first came up when I saw some guy signing a receipt, probably for his starter copy of "Dianetics," and urged him, "Please don't do this." Immediately three of the recruiters started coming at me from around the table, making soothing sounds and asking me if I was feeling any stress.

They asked me if I'd considered Scientology and I scoffed at joining a made-up, superexpensive religion that kept people in line with lawyers and secret police. (I have this crazy belief that the best religions don't cost a lot of money or terrorize people who want to quit.) ...