FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For further information Contact: Karin Pouw (323) 960-3500 October 25, 1999
THOUSANDS ATTEND RALLY CELEBRATING END OF EUROPEAN MARATHON FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ANNOUNCEMENT MADE: CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY MOVES INTO NEW BUILDING
Hamburg is the finishing line Monday for
the world's record run for religious freedom,
a 4,500 kilometer Marathon which started in Athens July 22HAMBURG, MONDAY: Thousands attended the end of the 1999 European Marathon for Human Rights here today, 13 weeks after a symbolic “Torch of Freedom” was lit in Athens, Greece — the country where the Marathon was born — and carried through seven countries to Hamburg. Six ultra-marathoners — two women and four men — ran in relays a distance of more than 4,500 kilometers.
Upon their arrival at the Gerhard Hauptmann Platz, the athletes told the large crowd that their spectacular run is to make a stand for religious freedom and to increase public awareness for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They quoted the founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, who wrote that “Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.”
The conclusion of the Marathon was also the occasion for the unveiling by the President of the Church of Scientology in Hamburg, Gisela Hackenjos, of a new home for the Church of Scientology in the heart of the city. A grand opening will be held November 27 in the new premises, located only a couple of hundred meters from Hamburg City Hall.
The 3,000 square meter, five-story building, owned by a real estate company, is far larger than the Church's existing residence in Hamburg and provides excellent facilities for expansion, fully enabling the Church to minister to all its parishioners. Said Ms. Hackenjos, “The new building represents both a commitment for the future and the steadfast desire of Scientologists to help the continually growing number of individuals who seek the spiritual freedom available through Scientology study and religious counseling.”
The premises are designed to emphasize visibility and openness. The copper and glass-walled reception reflects the natural beauty of Hamburg and offers passersby a view into the Church. Visitors will be able to learn about the Scientology religion in the ground-floor facilities provided for introductory reading of religious books, films or lectures, or just speaking with staff who are always on hand to answer questions and provide information.
Just off the reception area is a lounge where officials, scholars, religious leaders and other dignitaries will be made welcome. A chapel will house the Sunday services, christenings, weddings and other ecclesiastical ceremonies and congregational services.
After the announcement, more than 20 representatives of religious organizations, human rights experts and celebrities joined in urging the German state and federal governments to take action against religious discrimination, and open a dialogue with religious minorities. Speakers called for an end to the legacy of discrimination from the Kohl era, including declarations that make employment conditional on non-membership of a religious minority, surveillance of minority religious members and tagging of their names in labor office computers.
American actress and Scientologist Anne Archer, star of Fatal Attraction, Clear and Present Danger and other movies, urged the German government to take part in dialogue with religious minorities in Germany. She expressed concern that government officials were spending million of DMs on advocating and enforcing regulations to discriminate against German citizens based solely on their religious beliefs. Four days ago, Ms. Archer spoke at a press conference at which U.S. Congressman and Senators announced the first-ever Joint Resolution in both Houses of the U.S. Congress criticizing the German government for religious discrimination.
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