Sandy Springs police arrested a man on Wednesday after he allegedly took part in a viral social media trend targeting the Church of Scientology.
Twenty-year-old Jackson Sensing and several unidentified males arrived at the Church of Scientology on Roswell Road on April 29 to participate in the “Scientology speedrunning” challenge, according to police.
The online trend features social media users entering Scientology facilities and recording themselves running through the building until they are confronted or escorted out by security.
Sandy Springs police charged Sensing with disorderly conduct.
What are the effects of the Scientology speedrunning challenge?
The online phenomenon originated earlier this year on TikTok, and has since sparked several copycat incidents worldwide, garnering attention from law enforcement and news outlets.
One notable case occurred on May 3 in Vancouver, where 300 youths attempted to storm the city’s downtown Scientology location in the hopes of social media attention, according to Vancouver City News.
Founded in the 1950s by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, the church is built upon the concept of spiritual betterment. The religion has gained attention for its celebrity members, such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta. Critics and some former members have also accused the church of abusive practices.
Scientology spokesperson David Bloomberg told the Associated Press that a staff member was injured during one of the incidents and required medical attention.
“These are peaceful spaces designed to welcome parishioners, visitors and members of the public,” Bloomberg said in a statement. “Turning them into targets for viral stunts is not journalism, protest or civic activity. It is trespass, harassment and disruption of religious facilities.”
Sandy Springs Police warned social media users of the severity of participating in the growing trend.
“While some social media challenges may appear harmless online, unlawfully entering private property can lead to criminal charges and create unnecessary safety concerns for everyone involved,” the department wrote in a Thursday Facebook media post.
Officials say an investigation is underway to identify the other participants in the April 29 video.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
