Members of an Internet-based group under the blanket pseudonym “Anonymous” rallied outside of nearly every Church of Scientology in the world to protest and spread awareness of the Church’s secret workings. In addition to the vast majority of American states, organized protests appeared even in countries such as Israel, Sweden, Germany, Australia, Switzerland, and Denmark. Keep in mind that this all happened at the same time on the same day (adjusting for time zones), included over 9,000 protestors, and was organized entirely on wiki-style websites and IRC channels without any centralized leadership or hierarchy. Welcome to the future of activism, where thousands of people across the world unite anonymously and simultaneously for a common cause directed by nothing but their own moral compass.

However, according to websites belonging to Anonymous, this is only one phase of its ongoing “war” against the Church of Scientology, with the ultimate goal of destroying the entire organization in its present form. Even before the February 10 protests ended, another worldwide protest was scheduled for March 15, and plans have been put forth to revert current Scientologists, disseminate information and “secret” Scientology documents to the public (including the “South Park” Xenu story—seriously), and even infiltrate the organization by posing as sincere Scientologists.

The Church of Scientology has not issued a direct response to the protests yet, but in a previous press release called Anonymous “cyberterrorists,” and stated that the group has publicly declared to have been largely influenced by “The Communist Manifesto and Mein Kampf.” Touché. I wasn’t aware that terrorist Nazi-Communists believed in peaceful protest.

You might be wondering now, “What has the Church of Scientology done, aside from having a slightly silly set of beliefs, to warrant such malice?” Perhaps it is their disconnection policy, pressuring Scientologists to sever all ties with family and friends who refuse to convert. Perhaps it was Operation Snow White, the single largest intrusion and theft of U.S. government documents in the nation’s history. Perhaps it is the church’s tax-exempt religious status despite previously being classified as founder L. Ron Hubbard’s for-profit business. Perhaps it is because they charge exorbitant amounts of money for auditing sessions that are required to access the Church’s sacred texts. Perhaps it was Operation Freakout, a plan to incarcerate Scientology critic Paulette Cooper on false charges of sending bomb threats to churches. Perhaps it is RTC Chairman David Miscavige’s plan for the “worldwide obliteration of psychiatry.” Or maybe it is because the church claims to be able to “cure” homosexuality and other ailments. Perhaps it is the church’s “Fair Game” policy, which states that enemies of the church “may be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed.” Perhaps it is their implication in the deaths of Lisa McPherson, Heribert Pfaff, Josephus Havenith, Noah Lottick, Elli Perkins, and many more. The list of grievances goes on, and on, and on.