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Non-Scientologists Live on L Ron Hubbard Way?
At Wednesday's LA City Council meeting, non-Scientologist and resident of L Ron Hubbard Way, Sammi Franklin, and free speech advocate Lisa Derrick stood in the chambers at city hall to explain what it's like to live on a street closed down every weekend of the year.
As in past years, the Church of Scientology requested that the weekly event be considered a special event by the city in order to close the public street, which was called Berendo until 1996, and sidewalks every weekend. Think of their request like a farmers market asking a street be closed every Sunday morning. For any street closure to go through, a councilmember must sponsor a motion that will go up for approval by the council.
It's such a standard type of motion, every week, a variety of special events are passed with little public comment or opposition (block parties, weekend festivals, etc). But on Friday, the Scientology motion was continued to be discussed further on Tuesday, which will be aired live on Channel 35 or the internet.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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