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| Critics of Scientology say they plan another theatrical protest against the church - this time targeting its intelligence division. The anti-Scientology group known as Anonymous says its July 12 "Spy vs. Sci" demonstration will be held in "cities all around the world," according to a press release. Anonymous members - who include former Scientologists - are focusing on alleged "abuses" of the church's intelligence agency, known as the Office of Special Affairs (OSA), says the release. It asks, "Why does something that describes itself as a religion need an intelligence agency that aggressively persecutes critics?" According to the group, the OSA is charged with administering "justice and punishment" for the controversial faith, whose members include Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley. The group charges that critics are "targeted, harassed, threatened and intimidated in an attempt to silence or punish them." "Most Scientologists are unaware of the functions of the OSA and accept what their leaders tell them about it," says the release. "However, there is a growing body of evidence that OSA agents operate to attack perceived enemies by using infiltration, bribery, burglary and blackmail, in addition to threats, intimidation, assaults and worse." Due to fear of reprisals, Anonymous members are reluctant to give their names. One organizer, who goes by the nom de guerre of "93," tells us the church has sent warning letters to "our more public members" calling them "'terrorists.' They're attempting to stamp out our constitutional right to free speech." Scientology critic Mark Ebner charges that "armed private detectives hired by Scientology have invaded peaceful rallies." A spokeswoman for the church didn't return an e-mail seeking comment. Last month in London, Sydney, Toronto and New York, Anonymous sponsored a pirate-theme protest that parodied Scientology's private navy, the Sea Org. Or, as the demonstrators, called it, "Sea Aaargh." According to 93, protesters at the "Spy vs. Sci" rally will don costumes of characters like Austin Powers, James Bond and Modesty Blaise. What about that actor who starred in the "Mission: Impossible" movies? "Nobody wants to be Tom Cruise," she says. SIDE DISH Lindsay Lohan's father, Michael, says he's as eager as anyone to find out if she has a half-sister she didn't know about. As you may have heard, Michael had a romance in the mid-'90s with a Texas woman, Kristi Kaufmann, while he was separated from Lindsay's mom, Dina. Kaufmann tells OK! magazine that Michael has shirked his responsibilities to her 13-year-old daughter, Ashley. "We were in love," she tells OK! "One morning, he told me to pack my things - we were going to run off together. I waited, but he never showed up." Michael denies he left Kristi in the lurch, and says he only recently found out about Ashley. He tells us that he took a DNA test yesterday morning. "I'll have the result within two weeks, and I'll clear this matter up," he says. "(Kristi) makes this claim of a year-long love affair, which is totally false. If the DNA results are negative, we plan on filing a defamation suit." . . . Wait in line? As if! Jill Zarin and Ramona Singer of "The Real Housewives of New York" cut in front of other party guests who were patiently waiting to be checked in at a Hamptons bash at The Estate. A spywitness says Singer even declared, "I'm a celebrity! I was invited to take pictures!" Well, it's better than "Don't you know who I am?" . . . Food fight! Rihanna was extra sweet at Manhattan's Guest House when pals decided to wipe pieces of a $400 cake on her. The crooner - who was celebrating her "Good Girl Gone Bad" album rerelease - jokingly returned the favor. . . . Comic Sarah Silverman is helping bring "The Match Game" back to TV, but insiders tell us she appeared on the pilot as a favor and has no plans to join the series as a regular. Said a source: "She's a massive fan of the original show and friends with the producer of this new pilot, so she wanted to help out." . . . Ahh, the breakfast of champions! R&B superstars Boyz II Men ordered 25 Egg McMuffins from McDonald's before their recent performance on "Good Morning America." . . . Which singing ex-husband of an A-list actress would rather have people think he's gay than admit that he cheated on her with a groupie? SURVEILLANCE Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, enjoyed a 2 1/2-hour dinner over the weekend at Spiaggia in Chicago, where the couple also have their annual Valentine's Day meal. Spies say the presidential candidate and the missus gnoshed on an eight-course tasting menu sans vino, but a martini glass or two were spotted on the table. . . . Molly Sims lounged by the pool at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach looking "drop-dead gorgeous" and sipping a Belvedere martini. . . . Paris Hilton's ex-boy-toy, Greek shipping heir Stavros Niarchos, was seen at the Hpnotiq Cinema Series screening of "Stranger Than Fiction" at the Surf Lodge in Montauk. . . . A bushy-bearded Joshua "Pacey" Jackson was seen strolling in SoHo, talking on his cell. With Sean Evans and Shallon Lester. Edited by Lance D. Debler. (Got a hot tip? Send confidential e-mail to rushmolloy@nydailynews.com) (c) 2008 New York Daily News Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc. |
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