A mob of rowdy teens stormed a Big Apple Scientology church Saturday afternoon, trashing the property and injuring a security guard amid a nation-wide rash of similar viral social media stunts, police and sources said.<\/p>\n
About 50 unruly youths barreled through a locked side door of the Church of Scientology of New York \u2014 which sits just off Times Square on West 46th Street \u2014 at around 4:24 p.m., damaging the premises while parishioners and visitors were attending a seminar, according to cops, police sources and the church. <\/p>\n
They also kicked a 30-year-old man believed to be a security guard, who was walloped in the leg and sustained minor injuries. The rampaging teens \u2014 whose act resembled part of the \u201cspeed running\u201d trend that has seen similar acts at Scientology locations in Los Angeles \u2014 also hurled a racial slur at another staffer, the church said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome online have referred to these incidents as \u2018speed running.\u2019 In reality, they involve organized trespasses into religious and public information facilities for social media attention,\u201d The Church of Scientology International, based in Los Angeles, said in a statement to The Post.<\/p>\n
About 50 unruly teens barreled through the side door of the Church of Scientology of New York at 227 West 46th Street Saturday afternoon. Google Maps<\/p>\n
\u201cA group of individuals forced their way into the Church of Scientology New York, broke a locked door to gain entry, and rushed into the building,\u201d the church added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe disruption endangered staff, parishioners and visitors, including individuals attending a seminar at the time. This was not a peaceful visit or lawful protested. It was a coordinated act involving forced entry, property damage, and physical aggression inside a house of worship.\u201d<\/p>\n
The rabble-rousers later fled the building in all directions, police said.<\/p>\n
No arrests have been made as the investigation continues. <\/p>\n
The rowdy mob damaged the premises and kicked a 30-year-old man believed to be a security guard. Google Maps<\/p>\n
The Midtown incident mirrors the bizarre new TikTok trend dubbed \u201cScientology speed running\u201d<\/a> \u2014 which uses a video game term to describe groups of thrill-seeking influencers and troublemakers filming themselves charging into properties owned or tied to the Church of Scientology since early April.<\/p>\n The reckless social media craze, erupting across Los Angeles<\/a>, has sparked security fears for the church, which teaches followers that humans are immortal spiritual beings called \u201cthetans\u201d with limitless power.<\/p>\n The Midtown incident comes amid a bizarre new TikTok trend \u2014 dubbed \u201cScientology speed running.\u201d @versacericka\/TikTok<\/p>\n The reckless social media craze shows thrill-seeking influencers charging into properties owned or tied to the Church of Scientology. @versacericka\/TikTok<\/p>\n