Will Smith Targeted By An Anti-Scientologist Group

On Wednesday morning (09/03/08) Anonymous activists picketed outside the New
Village Academy private school in Calabasas, California, which is funded by
the actor and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, who is a devout follower of the
bizarre sci-fi cult.

Protestors - dressed in Guy Fawkes masks - held up placards emblazoned with
the words 'Scientology disconnects families' and 'what church stalks
critics? Scientology'.

Passing children on their way to the nearby Arthur E. Wright Middle School
shouted at several people, believed to be Scientologist investigators, who
were monitoring the protest.

One boy Max, 11, said: "We hate Will Smith". While another John shouted:

"Get the crazy cult school out of Calabasas!"

Spokesperson for Anonymous - who want the Church of Scientology to lose its
tax exemption status in the US - Gareth Cales, who refused to wear a mask,
said: "Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, an admitted Scientologist, have
opened this private school as a front for teaching the L. Ron Hubbard
principles of 'Study Technology, his creation, and the school employs
Scientologists.

"Our goal is to ultimately have the tax exemption status of the Scientology
cult end, and the criminal deeds of Church leader David Miscaviage be
exposed and prosecuted. Under his leadership, Scientology has threatened
people's lives and destroyed careers, they use their lawyers to intimidate
anyone who criticises Scientology."

'Study Technology' is described as: "An educational model developed by L.
Ron Hubbard, study technology focuses on three principles."

Will - who reportedly donated $1 million to the school - has previously
denied he is a member of Scientology.

Earlier this week, Anonymous announced they were planning to stage a silent
protest at the opening of Katie Holmes' new Broadway play 'All My Sons' in
October.

The former 'Dawson's Creek' actress became a Scientologist after marrying
devout follower Tom Cruise in November 2006.