PRESS RELEASES
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA •
The tally is in—youth in 31 countries participated in the fourth annual International Walk for Human Rights December 10, a project conceived and nurtured for the past four years by singer/songwriter Dustin McGahee, president of Youth for Human Rights Florida.
On the fourth anniversary of the International Walk for Human Rights December 10, Dustin McGahee had every right to be proud. His work to promote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has reached millions in what has become a grassroots movement that circles the globe.
VALENCIA, VENEZUELA •
A human rights art exhibit in December, organized by Scientologist Heidi Fajardo of Valencia, Venezuela, raise awareness of human rights through art
In observance of the 64th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in December, the Venezuela Youth for Human Rights Foundation held an art competition and exhibit. The purpose of the project was to raise awareness of human rights through the arts, and human rights was the theme of the works of art submitted.
TEL AVIV-JAFFA, ISRAEL •
Civic, cultural and religious leaders cooperate in the name of peace at the Center for Scientology in Israel
More than 100 guests representing a broad panorama of civic, community and religious groups filled the Alhambra Auditorium at the Center of Scientology in Tel Aviv-Jaffa December 20 for a forum held in observance of Human Rights Day.
PARIS, FRANCE •
A team of Scientologists took to the streets December 10 in support of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
French Scientologists took heed of the motto the United Nations selected for Human Rights Day—“My voice counts”—and the message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: “Everyone has the right to be heard and to shape the decisions that affect their community.”
CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO •
More than a thousand Scientologists and their guests from across Canada and the U.S. Great Lakes region gathered on February 9, 2013, to celebrate the opening of the new Church of Scientology of Cambridge, Ontario. Joining Church officials for the dedication ceremony were national and provincial dignitaries.
TORONTO, CANADA •
Scientologist Nicole Crellin, Coordinator for United for Human Rights Toronto, organized a Human Rights Day celebration to raise awareness on human rights.
The Toronto chapter of United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights observed International Human Rights Day at an event at the Ontario Science Centre December 5 to increase public awareness of the 30 fundamental rights enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA •
Teams of Australian Scientologists took to the streets December 10 in support of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In cities around Australia, Scientologists mobilized in support of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, Human Rights Day—the 64th anniversary of its adoption by the United Nations General Assembly.
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA •
The Golden Age Theater delivered a special evening of entertainment with a Latin beat.
The Church of Scientology of Orange County hosted a unique presentation January 26—a performance of One Was Stubborn by the Golden Age Theater of Hollywood.
The show featured actor Gino Montesinos, who has guest-starred on CSI:NY, 24 and ER and has appeared in supporting roles in the movies Collateral, Cellular and Bruce Almighty.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA •
Tenth Annual Youth for Human Rights World Educational Tour to visit seven countries to promote human rights
More than 200 people gathered at the pavilion of the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International in Hollywood, California, January 28 to launch the 10th Annual Youth for Human Rights International World Educational Tour.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA •
Young Latino community leaders were empowered to help their community through the Truth About Drugs education and prevention program supported by the Church of Scientology.
The Church of Scientology Inglewood hosted a Truth About Drugs seminar for Latino youths January 26. Organized by Dr. Manuel Tigerino, President of the Latin University of Theology in Inglewood, California, the program was conducted by Rev. Roberto Recillas, Executive Director of I Believe in My Future Initiative (IBF).
MILAN, ITALY •
The Church of Scientology of Milan, Italy, co-hosted its annual human rights concert to raise funds for education in Togo.
The Church of Scientology of Milan and the Association for Human Rights and Tolerance presented their 11th annual human rights benefit concert December 7.
KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN •
The Church of Scientology organized Human Rights Day activities in Kaohsiung to raise human rights awareness.
Scientologists in Kaohsiung organized human rights activities in December in observance of the 64th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The programs were co-sponsored by the Church of Scientology and the Kaohsiung Chapter of Youth for Human Rights.
WASHINGTON, D.C. •
Washington, D.C. Scientologists marked Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service by organizing a daylong project to promote human rights awareness.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is set aside, not as a “day off” but as a day “on” in service to the community, and D.C. Scientologists and friends joined forces to forward Dr. King’s vision of freedom and dignity for all through respect of human rights.
CZECH REPUBLIC •
For the past 10 years, Scientologists in an annual Drug-Free “Cyclorun” have run and bicycled for a drug-free Czech Republic.
For two weeks each summer, volunteers from Scientology Missions in the Czech Republic crisscross the country in the Drug-Free Czech Republic “Cyclorun” to promote drug-free living.
SACRAMENTO, CA •
Scientology helps forge a partnership between religious leaders and law enforcement to combine forces against substance abuse and other pressing community concerns
Religious leaders well know the toll drug abuse exacts on Sacramento families as represented by these statistics:
EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA •
A community services director from Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, is using The Truth About Drugs to help tackle drug abuse in local schools.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON •
Again this year, the Church of Scientology of Seattle served as hub of community drug prevention
2012 was a year of collaborative community efforts to tackle drug abuse throughout Seattle, with drug prevention open houses at the Church of Scientology providing a forum for those involved in drug prevention to network and coordinate action.
Church volunteers conduct drug education lectures and workshops and made Truth About Drugs program available free of charge to community groups, educators, law enforcement, mentors, and parents.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA •
Edith Reuveni, President of the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles, working to make Los Angeles County Drug-Free
For her work to better the community, Edith Reuveni, President of the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles, was honored by Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck as the 2012 Northeast Division Community Police Advisory Board Member of the Year.
MEXICO •
Mexican Scientologists, active in drug prevention for more than 25 years, are gearing up for 2013, creating public- and private-sector alliances through the Truth About Drugs program to raise the bar on drug education.
In 2012, Scientologists joined forces with law enforcement, educational institutions and community leaders in Mexico to make inroads against the scourge of drug abuse and drug-related violence that has claimed the lives of more than 60,000 in the past six years.
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND •
The Church of Scientology and the Mangere Maori Wardens begin 2013 by reaffirming their goal of a drug-free New Zealand
The Church of Scientology and the Mangere Maori Wardens reaffirmed their goals for a drug-free New Zealand and laid plans for the new year at a gathering at the Nga the Whare Waatea Marae—a gathering place for the community where the Maori culture is celebrated through tribal ceremonies, functions and sacred traditions.