John Travolta's Scientology centre is vandalised - just two weeks after it opened

Daily Mail, UK/June 16, 2011

A new Scientology Mission centre which John Travolta helped just two weeks ago has already been vandalized.

The letters 'ANON' were spray painted on the windows of the mission in Ocala, Florida, early Wednesday morning, before the center opened at 1pm.

The blinds were drawn still as passers-by stopped to check out the graffiti.

Anonymous is the name of the internet-based group that has frequently attacked Scientology in the media, often with videos claiming that the organisation is a criminal racket.

John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston live in Ocala and were at the opening of the new Mission on May 29.

The actor broke down in tears while thanking the town for the support given to his family following their 'intense loss' of their son Jett, who passed away in 2009, radaronline.com reports.

Jett died while on a family vacation in The Bahamas.

The death certificate attributed the cause of death to a seizure.

Addressing the crowd of 1,000 people, Travolta said: 'This community protected us and safeguarded us.

'When the chips are down, you know who your friends are. Our friends are right here.'

'So the biggest gift I can give you in return is this mission.'

Kelly Preston walked on stage and gave him a tissue and a hug, according to the Ocala Star Banner newspaper.

The Scientology Mission of Ocala is 4,500 square feet and the restoration was a $500,000 project for the organisation.

Attacking the Anonymous group, a spokesperson for the Church of Scientology said: 'Anonymous is an internet-based criminal organization currently under investigation by the United States Department of Justice, local law enforcement, and law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom and Spain, among others.

'Anonymous has claimed responsibility and is currently under investigation for its attacks on Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, Sony's PlayStation Network, the Church of Scientology, the Spanish government and national police, as well as for crashing the Australian government's websites in response to Australia's attempts to curb the spread of child pornography on the internet.'

He claimed the attacks against the Church of Scientology have included anthrax threats, bomb threats, plus threats to kill, cause arson and kidnap.

The spokesman added: 'These crimes, among others, are currently part of an open hate crimes investigation by the United States Department of Justice.'

Travolta, originially a Roman Catholic, has been a practitioner of Scientology since 1975.

After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, he joined other celebrities in helping with the relief efforts, by flying his Boeing 707 full of supplies, doctors, and Scientologist Volunteer Ministers into the disaster area.

He has credited his family and faith in helping him survive the tragic death of his son, and in moving forward with his film career.

Anonymous has not claimed responsibility for the graffiti.

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