Young people are storming the Church of Scientology's Hollywood Boulevard headquarters in coordinated "speed run" raids that have captivated social media and drawn the ire of church leadership.
The trend exploded after an 18-year-old content creator posted a video in March showing himself breaching the property. Clips of subsequent raids have racked up millions of views on TikTok, with participants seeking online fame by rushing through the church's facilities. Some viewers have gone further, using footage from the raids to map the building's layout.
On Saturday, the church says dozens of individuals forced their way into its international headquarters, knocking down staff members in the process. At least one employee required medical attention from injuries sustained during the incidents. Los Angeles police have received five trespassing reports, though only two appear linked to the speed-running trend. No arrests have been made.
The church issued a statement Wednesday calling the raids "viral stunts" rather than legitimate protest or journalism. "These are peaceful spaces designed to welcome parishioners, visitors and members of the public," the church wrote. "Turning them into targets for viral stunts is trespass, harassment and disruption of religious facilities."
Church officials said they are "reviewing all available remedies" and have filed reports with law enforcement. Spokesperson David Bloomberg confirmed staff injuries from multiple incidents.
The creator who appears to have started the trend, known online as Swhileyy, has since distanced himself from it. He told the Hollywood Reporter that he does not condone his own actions and never promoted others to replicate them. "I never once in any video or any comment section promoted the idea of running through there," he said.
The raids have also drawn criticism from the church's own detractors. Actress Leah Remini, a prominent Scientology defector, called the trend "unhelpful" on social media. She argued that disruptive stunts only reinforce the church's narrative that the outside world is hostile, potentially strengthening members' commitment to the organization.
"Please focus on exposing the dangers of Scientology, not making a spectacle out of it," Remini wrote.
Author James Rodriguez: "The irony here is sharp: internet kids treating a controversial religious institution like a video game target may actually be doing its recruitment messaging the favor of a lifetime."
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