Teens have run riot in Brisbane’s CBD after a failed attempt to storm the Church of Scientology building as part of a viral social media trend.
Around 200 teenagers descended on George Street on Saturday afternoon, attempting what’s known as a “Scientology speedrun” – a growing TikTok trend that has the Church of Scientology alleging hate crimes.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Brisbane teens riot after Scientology speedrun attempt
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When the group found the building’s doors locked, chaos erupted on the streets outside.
Shocking footage captured by bystanders shows a police patrol car being used as a makeshift BMX ramp in Brisbane, with other teens jumping on top of the vehicle and even climbing inside.
“Speedrunning is essentially a gaming term. In this particular instance, it’s really about breaking rules and trying to explore and be a bit cheeky,” Bond University video game expert Dr James Birt told 7NEWS.
Teens were spotted near the police cars. Credit: 7NEWSOne used the police car as a BMX ramp. Credit: 7NEWS
The trend involves crowds storming into Scientology buildings and sharing videos online, with participants racing to see how quickly they can enter and exit the premises.
Posts warning of the Brisbane speedrun attempt were uploaded to social media a week ago, which explains why the building’s doors were locked when the group arrived.
“If it was, you know, Catholic Church, it’s probably not going to get the same level of likes and same level of engagement. It really is about that mysterious, almost cultish kind of idea behind that religion,” Birt said.
Other teens got into a police car. Credit: 7NEWSThe Church of Scientology in Brisbane. Credit: 7NEWS
The Church of Scientology has been approached for comment.
Police say no arrests have been made.
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