Gerry Armstrong--Declaration of Gerry Armstrong 08-16-2007

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	Declaration of Gerry Armstrong I, Gerry Armstrong, declare: 1. On July 3, 2007, I received the following e-mail message from a Steve Stransman: -----Original Message----- From: Steve Stransman Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 7:56 PM To: gerry@gerryarmstrong.org Subject: Scientology Film Mr. Armstrong, My name is Steve Stransman and I am a current student at Vancouver Film School in the Film Production program. I am currently developing a documentary film on the Church of Scientology, and I would love to have you involved, as you seem to be one of the more prominent anti-Scientology personalities in the Vancouver area. Your story of how you became involved and your experiences within the church would be extremely helpful to our film. I would love to hear back from you, so if you could reply to this e-mail address we could begin discussions on this topic. Thanks very much for your help. Yours truly, Steve Stransman [e-mail address] 2. On July 3, I sent Mr. Stransman the following e-mail message in reply: -----Original Message----- From: Gerry Armstrong [mailto:gerry@gerryarmstrong.org] Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 8:44 PM To: 'Steve Stransman' Subject: RE: Scientology Film Dear Mr. Stransman: 1 Wow! You folks have a "campus" right across the street from the org. In fact, somewhere I recall a connection between VFS and Scientology. In any case, I'm interested in your project, and could be helpful. Scientology has run ops on me to get me on film or video for various purposes, so you'll have to get past convincing me you're not working for the cult. In case you haven't found it, my wife Caroline Letkeman's site is excellent on a number of Scientology issues: http://www.carolineletkeman.org/sp/ The one Scientology issue I'd like most to see tackled is the organization's "Suppressive Person" doctrine. http://www.suppressiveperson.org/ That would also be an excellent issue for a filmmaker to create an exciting and fruitful interview or exchange with the Scientologists (across Hastings from you). Here are some reports from pickets Caroline and I have done at the Hastings org. http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/50grand/media/pickets/index.html My own site I'm sure you already know about: http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/ There are some videos on a new site Caroline and I are building: http://thewar.xenu.ca/ Let me know your thoughts, or give me a call. Sincerely, Gerry Armstrong #2-46298 Yale Road Chilliwack, B.C. V2P 2P6 604-703-1373 3. Later on July 3, I received the following e-mail message from Mr. Stansman: -----Original Message----- From: Steve Stransman Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 9:25 PM To: Gerry Armstrong Subject: RE: Scientology Film Mr. Armstrong, 2 Thanks for the quick reply. The proximity of the church of scientology to the 400 W. Hastings campus of VFS was certainly a factor in my decision to pursue such a topic. There never has been, however, a relationship between VFS and scientology (as far as I can tell) besides bored students going across the street for the 'free stress tests'. Please tell me what I can do to assure you that I have absolutely NO connection to scientology. The only time I've ever set foot in a scientology-based establishment was very recently when I ventured in to buy a copy of Dianetics for research (although they did not know my status as a VFS student). If you'd like to know more about me or if there's something else about myself you'd like to know I'd be more than happy to fill you in. Now about the film; we are looking to talk about scientology through personal experiences. By making scientology emotional and real, we hope that it will become more than just a news report, and will be that much more effective. As such, this film is very reliant on stories from you and people like you. I have visited your website and I have got a general feel about your (numerous) post-scientology issues (if there is such thing as 'post-scientology'), but I'd like to know more about what inspired you to join scientology in the first place, as well as what your initial experiences there were like, amongst other things. Also if you are aware of other people in the Vancouver area who are ex-scientologists who have stories to share, that would be great as well. Wow this got a bit long winded, sorry. As you can tell this is something I'm very intrigued in, so thank you for reading all the way through. Yours truly, Steve 4. On July 8, I received the following e-mail message from Mr. Stansman: -----Original Message----- From: Steve Stransman Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 1:35 PM To: Gerry Armstrong Subject: RE: Scientology Film Dear Mr. Armstrong, I hope you've recieved my previous e-mail. Today I tried calling the number at the bottom of your e-mail- 604-703-1373- and it gave me a 3 message that the number cannot be completed- is that a typo by any chance? I would very much like to talk to you as soon as possible so that we could begin speaking about the project. Let me know if you have any further questions, Steve. 5. On July 9, I sent Mr. Stransman the following e-mail message in reply: -----Original Message----- From: Gerry Armstrong [mailto:gerry@gerryarmstrong.org] Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 9:39 PM To: 'Steve Stransman' Subject: RE: Scientology Film I live in Chilliwack. You probably have to dial a 1 before the 604 area code. Have you approached the Scientologists for their stories? I've been thinking that's where the action is for the film you described. Call me at any reasonable time. Gerry 6. On July 10, I received an e-mail message from an anonymous source with a link to a thread on an “Ex Scientologist Message Board” http://www.forum.exscn.net/showthread.php?p=14612#post14638 and advising me that someone had made a post to the board stating he or she was doing a documentary, looking for ex-Scientologists willing to go on camera, and had already spoken to me. 7. The complete thread as of this date, entitled “Vancouver ex scientologists” and consisting of 11 posts from July 10 to July 16, 2007, states: Page 1 of 2 1 2 > [ ] 4 #1 10th July 2007, 06:00 AM Cassabilly Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5 Vancouver ex scientologists -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- sorry to put a post about looking for people, however I am doing a documentary about lives of people after leaving the church of scientology. Looking for anyone who would like to be apart of this. I'm looking for anyone who would be willing to share their stories on camera. Thank you for listening. feel free to ask questions Cassabilly [ ] #2 10th July 2007, 06:51 AM Zinjifar Patron Meritorious Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 888 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote: Originally Posted by Cassabilly sorry to put a post about looking for people, however I am doing a documentary about lives of people after leaving the church of scientology. Looking for anyone who would like to be apart of this. I'm looking for anyone who would be willing to share their stories on camera. Thank you for listening. feel free to ask questions You should contact Gerry Armstrong. He's in Chilliwack, but, has spent much time in Vancouver and knows lots of people, as well as having a lot of information himself. gerry@gerryarmstrong.org Zinj Zinjifar [ ] #3 10th July 2007, 10:39 AM 5 Cassabilly Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5 Gerry -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for that. I am already in contact with him but I would like to get more people involved. Any others?? Cassabilly [ ] #4 11th July 2007, 05:11 AM Cassabilly Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5 ex scientologists get to express on film -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Still looking for a friend who will share their experiences good or bad. drop me a line. same information from initial post. just refreshing. Cassabilly [ ] #5 11th July 2007, 05:20 AM tanstaafl Patron Meritorious Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 720 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote: Originally Posted by Cassabilly Still looking for a friend who will share their experiences good or bad. drop me a line. same information from initial post. just refreshing. You may be underwhelmed by the response. This may be partially to do with the fact that the Church will use certain methods to identify individuals who post critical comments on forums such as these. __________________ 6 Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is the best. - F. Zappa tanstaafl [ ] #6 11th July 2007, 05:31 AM Alanzo Silver Meritorious Patron Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Children of the Corn Posts: 1,221 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote: Originally Posted by tanstaafl You may be underwhelmed by the response. This may be partially to do with the fact that the Church will use certain methods to identify individuals who post critical comments on forums such as these. And the best one is to get them in front of a camera. Alanzo [ ] #7 11th July 2007, 07:51 AM Cassabilly Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I want people to ask me questions about who I am and what my school is involved with (film). I as well will not specify my name unless in private messages. I'm trying to expose, knowing the consequences, about what the church does after you leave. This is someones chance, if they feel they can, to speak about what has gone on. My school is Vancouver Film School, I will let you know that, which is acrossed the street from the Scientology building which I can not do research in there. They already dont like that i asked them questions. Cassabilly [ ] 7 #8 11th July 2007, 07:59 AM Zinjifar Patron Meritorious Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 888 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote: Originally Posted by Cassabilly I want people to ask me questions about who I am and what my school is involved with (film). I as well will not specify my name unless in private messages. I'm trying to expose, knowing the consequences, about what the church does after you leave. This is someones chance, if they feel they can, to speak about what has gone on. My school is Vancouver Film School, I will let you know that, which is acrossed the street from the Scientology building which I can not do research in there. They already dont like that i asked them questions. Well, certainly Gerry is your best bet as a contact to others, but, you could also talk to Fluffy here, who's nearby and may be able to help you. Stacy Young also used to live nearby and has plenty of stories, but, most likely won't talk to you. Gerry might be able to help you get in touch. Bear in mind that having a 'school video project' offer you a 'chance' isn't necessarilly the kind of 15-minutes-of-fame someone who's been at the target of the Cult will feel a need to 'jump' at Zinj Zinjifar [ ] #9 13th July 2007, 04:51 PM Cassabilly Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It would be very hard to discuss a subject that was personal and could be held against someone. I have already talked to a couple people who do not feel comfortable with this idea.. believe me, we could have picked any subject in the world. this is a compelling story to tell and we want to be the ones. Although, I'm not boasting just informing that we do have the 8 chance to submit to film festivals if all goes well. This story is still in development and I really appreciate the help you have given me. Cassabilly [ ] #10 13th July 2007, 11:05 PM Alanzo Silver Meritorious Patron Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Children of the Corn Posts: 1,221 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote: Originally Posted by Cassabilly It would be very hard to discuss a subject that was personal and could be held against someone. I have already talked to a couple people who do not feel comfortable with this idea.. believe me, we could have picked any subject in the world. this is a compelling story to tell and we want to be the ones. Although, I'm not boasting just informing that we do have the chance to submit to film festivals if all goes well. This story is still in development and I really appreciate the help you have given me. The way you present yourself here makes a lot of people very nervous. It is clear that you are not very well educated in the subject, and are not really aware of the consequences of what you are asking of people here. That adds up to lots of potential danger for the participants. And no one here wants to see a product from someone who does not know what they are talking about. So while this subject may have some kind of "hipness" to it right now, that's no reason for just anyone to go and make a documentary on it. You have to know what you are doing and what you are getting into. And I don't think you do. Very few people want to take the time and the risk to teach you what you are getting into. Alanzo [ ] 9 Page 1 of 2 1 2 > Page 2 of 2 < 1 2 [ ] #11 16th July 2007, 02:03 AM fluffy Silver Meritorious Patron Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: FluffLand Posts: 1,099 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote: Originally Posted by Cassabilly Thank you for that. I am already in contact with him but I would like to get more people involved. Any others?? Sure. I left CofS after they tried to coerce me into not posting to the internet. I'm not Vancouver area, though, but not too far away- I'm in Seattle. If you want to get in touch with me, that's fine. __________________ "Thank you, not-normal-girl, thank you!"--Maggie Estep www.claireswazey.com fluffy [ ] Page 2 of 2 < 1 2 8. Around July 13, a man who identified himself as Steve Stransman called me and we spoke for some minutes. I mentioned that I’d read what had been posted on the Ex Scientologist Message Board, and he informed me that Cassandra, one of his fellow students at the Vancouver Film School (“VFS”) and a participant in the documentary film project with him, had made the posts. I told Mr. Stransman that since Scientology agents 10 monitor the Ex Scientologist Message Board, cult leaders doubtlessly knew of my involvement in his project. Because Scientology head David Miscavige has been trying in virtually ceaseless intelligence operations and legal chicanery to get me on camera or otherwise entrap me, I engaged Mr. Stransman in significant part to determine if he was an operative for the organization, or in some way being used to get close to me. In case he and his project were legitimate, I warned him that because of Miscavige’s personal and pathological hatred of me Scientology’s leaders would view the VFS project as a major threat, and the interaction with the project would be run from California where Scientology’s headquarters are. I’m sure I answered Mr. Stransman’s questions of me honestly and thoughtfully, as I answer everyone’s questions unless modulated by safety, courtesy or wisdom. In any event, I determined to proceed with Mr. Stransman’s VFS project and agreed to be interviewed and filmed. We talked about where the filming could happen, such as in a VFS studio or while picketing the Scientology organization across the street, which Caroline and I have done a number of times. Mr. Stransman and I discussed meeting before the filming, where this could happen, and we agreed that he and Cassandra would drive to Chilliwack to meet Caroline and me. 9. Mr. Stransman called me over the next several days, let know that the project had become more focused and that their VFS supervisors had approved their outline and given them the go-ahead. We set a time of, I believe it was, 2:00 PM July 28 to meet in Chilliwack, and agreed that they would call when they got close. Throughout this period, I understood that Mr. Stransman and Cassandra had been in contact with Scientology representatives in Vancouver and were working out arrangements to film whoever the organization provided. 11 10. Mr. Stransman called around the agreed on time when he was nearby in Chilliwack, and I instructed him to meet Caroline and me at the city’s public library. For security reasons, Caroline and I do not have people visit in our apartment, other than a small set of family members we know with complete certainty are on our side and trustworthy in Scientology’s war on us. Even with these few family members, we severely restrict visits in our apartment because of our concern that Scientology’s agents have bugged the space. Scientology has a known history of unlawfully bugging its targets’ offices or residences, and also of burglarizing offices and other properties. In my case, Scientology claims to have valid authorizations from the Los Angeles police to wiretap and eavesdrop on me, my attorney, and others associated with us. The Los Angeles Police Chief officially and publicly denounced these “authorizations” as “invalid and unauthorized,” but the Scientology cultists still claim their documents to wiretap and eavesdrop on me are valid and authorized. http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/50grand/legal/police/gates-announcement.html 11. As agreed, Caroline and I met at the Chilliwack Public Library with Mr. Stransman and Cassandra, whose surname I think is Lindberg, along with two other VFS students who were introduced as also part of the project. The project members covered director, producer, camera and sound, I believe, and I also believe that Cassandra was in charge. The six of us talked for something over an hour. All of the students asked questions about my experiences in Scientology, some that I’ve answered many times, and a number of good questions that engaged me and showed me the students all were engaged. They indicated that they found me an acceptable interview subject, and my answers to their questions, although obviously sometimes alarming or scary, were 12 reasoned and grounded in evidence. I told them our apartment doesn’t work for filming, and again I offered to come into Vancouver. Cassandra briefly mentioned her contact with the Scientology representatives, that she had been “grilled” and “bullied” and treated in an unfriendly way. I told her I understood, I was embarrassed for Scientology, and I made sure I didn’t grill her and the others, bully them or be unfriendly. I even signed a VFS release form they brought with them so they or the school would be free to use my part in their documentary as they wished. Cassandra said that it looked like Scientology had dropped out of the project, refusing to have a representative go on camera, a development that necessitated getting approval to continue the project without the organization’s input. I told them I thought that they had a great project with a lot of potential and that they were pretty courageous tackling the Scientology problem. They all appeared to be sober young people who were beginning to understand and confront a dangerous cult, and who were passionate about doing so in their chosen medium. They said they had other ground work to do, and, I think, required another approval on what they had done so far, and they expected to start filming in mid August. 12. On August 6, I believe, I received a call from Cassandra who informed me that the project had the green light and she wanted to schedule a date to film me. She said that they wanted two days, the first to film me running and the second to film the interview. She called the running idea a metaphorical sequence , and I supposed it was, both because for more than twenty-five years Scientology has kept me running, and because I’d managed all those years to stay one step ahead. I’m a competitive long distance trail runner, so I understood the metaphor and I agreed it could perhaps be an unusual and exciting sequence in the film. Cassandra said that their available days were 13 August 11 and 12, or August 15 to 18, and I said August 15 and 16. She indicated that there was still considerable tension or intimidation coming from the Scientology representatives, who had refused to participate in the project, and consequently she didn’t want me to come to Vancouver. I mentioned that since we’d last spoken, Scientology had initiated a new legal attack in California to have me jailed and have warrants issued for my arrest, so the project’s short film could be very timely. She said that they would film the running sequence where I run and the interview in a park in Chilliwack. She asked if I had any print media articles involving Scientology and me, and I said I had some webbed and would send her some links. I also offered to send her links to some running related photos and other materials, and links to some picket photos that might be useful for the project. She said that would be great and gave me her VFS e-mail address. She said they really wanted to film hard copies of media stories on Scientology and me, and I said I had a number, including some in major magazines, and that I would bring them when we met on the 15th. 13. Later on August 6, I sent Cassandra the following e-mail message: -----Original Message----- From: Gerry Armstrong [mailto:gerry@gerryarmstrong.org] Sent: Monday, August 06, 2007 8:57 PM To: [e-mail address] Subject: Links, etc. Let's aim for August 15 and 16, and if you need more then Aug 17. Here's my media page: http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/50grand/media/index.html I have hard copies of some of these things, and will gather them up for the next time we meet. Here's Scientology's motion to reinstate jail sentences against me in California: 14 http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/50grand/legal/a7/mtn-reinstate-sentences- warrant-2007-07-26.html Also picket reports with some photos: http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/50grand/media/pickets.html On the running side of life, this article in Runner's World might be useful: http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/50grand/media/rat/runners-world-1995-02.html And a couple of Boston Marathon shots: http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/50grand/media/rat/boston-marathon.html http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/50grand/media/rat/boston-marathon1.html Any time. Gerry & Caroline 14. On August 12, Cassandra left a voice mail message for me stating: Hi Gerry. This is Cassie Lindberg at the Vancouver Film School. My phone number is [XXX-XXX-XXXX]. I hope to talk to you today. If not, will try back tomorrow. Thanks, bye. I didn’t get this message, however, until August 14. In the meantime, as I had not heard back from Cassandra, I called her and left a message on her voice mail. 15. On August 14, I sent Mr. Stransman the following e-mail message: -----Original Message----- From: Gerry Armstrong [mailto:gerry@gerryarmstrong.org] Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 8:52 AM To: 'Steve Stransman' Subject: Please contact me Hi Steve: Please call and let me know what's up. A week or so ago, Cassandra said you guys were coming to Chilliwack tomorrow, but I've had no contact since then. Hope all is well. Gerry & Caroline 15 16. I continued to assume that the filming was proceeding on August 15, and was washing my trail shoes so they’d look and smell their best during the running sequence and the car ride there and back, when Cassandra called me in the late afternoon on August 14. She told me that they can’t do the project because they would get sued. She said the “church” came over to the school and threatened to sue, and the school cancelled the project. She said the Scientologist she knew who came to the school was a woman named Sherry (sp?) that Cassandra thought was the president. Cassandra said Sherry referred the VFS officials to the “pending court cases” Scientology has with me as the basis for why the organization would sue the school. Cassandra said it all came down to my being involved, that they couldn’t do the project if my name was even mentioned. Cassandra was noticeably upset with the cancellation of her film project, apologetic for however that let me down, and clearly frightened just talking to me on the phone. I didn’t, therefore, question her very much to get the details of exactly what happened, or to clarify some of the things she said that weren’t clear to me. The idea she and the school officials apparently got from Scientology’s representatives was that filming me at all was “against the law.” Cassandra said that all the project members’ instructors at VFS had been involved in the response to Scientology’s threat and the decision to cancel the project, and that they all had looked at my web site, presumably http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/ She said that the decision ultimately was made by David Hauka, the head of the Film Production Department. She said that the decision had been made five days earlier, and that all the project members had been instructed to start a completely new project. She said they’d had to start from scratch, and so had gotten back to me as soon as she possibly could. She said their new project is about why people are 16 spiritual, and doesn’t involve Scientology. I was quite shocked and saddened by what Scientology had done to bully the participants in this creative project, and to bully the school and society in this matter, and I expressed this to Cassandra. I told her my position is that what Scientology did to suppress the project members’ and my basic human rights is precisely why the story they were going to tell should be told. I thanked her and all the project members for being interested in and pursuing my story, and wished them success in their current project and in their careers and lives. I declare under penalty of perjury pursuant to the laws of the Province of British Columbia, the State of California, Canada and the United States that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed this 16th day of August 2007 in Chilliwack, B.C., Canada. ______________________________ Gerry Armstrong

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