The TikTok trend of “speedrunning” through Scientology churches has reached San Francisco.
Most of the pranksters here have not gotten far in their attempts, according to the church. But one Instagram video (opens in new tab) appears to shows an intruder wandering hallways and staircases before encountering security at the exit.
The social media fad involves people filming themselves as they dash past staff and security guards and try to maneuver their way deep into the confines of a Scientology building. The term “speedrun” emerged from video game culture, referring to players trying to quickly complete a level.
The trend took off in March in Los Angeles. In subsequent shenanigans, participants donned costumes. Imitators have struck in Amsterdam, Paris, and other cities, garnering millions of views on TikTok and Instagram. In New York, a group that barreled into a Scientology building Saturday caused minor injuries to a staff member and damaged property, according to reports (opens in new tab).
Scientology officials said the acts are hate crimes (opens in new tab).
The San Francisco church on Montgomery Street has been targeted. A person on an apparent solo mission records himself making a circuit through the building as he records on a phone and another camera.
“I’m leaving, sir,” he says after an unseen person says “Get out.” A group of security waits for him at the building’s entrance as the video ends.
Subsequent groups of perpetrators have allegedly been unable to get inside the building on the edge of downtown and North Beach, the church said.
Shaky videos posted to TikTok (opens in new tab) on Sunday show a hooded and masked crowd jostling to enter the church but thwarted at the gate. The footage shows them scattering away from the building. The owner of the account did not respond to The Standard’s messages.
It’s unclear when the videos were recorded. A Scientology rep said this was not the only run-in the staff and security team have had with unwanted visitors in San Francisco.
“Over recent days, multiple groups of individuals — many of them teenagers” have tried to “gain entry while filming,” the statement said.
The San Francisco Police Department said officers detained people suspected of attempting to trespass at the church on April 28. One juvenile was cited on suspicion of battery. An employee of the building had suffered an injury, but declined medical attention, the police said.
“Church facilities are designed to welcome parishioners, visitors, and members of the public,” the church said. “Turning them into targets for viral stunts is not journalism, protest, or civic activity. It is trespass, harassment, and disruption of religious spaces.”
The most recent incident may have occurred Monday. A Citizen app post (opens in new tab) at 6:07 p.m. claims police received a report of a person breaking into the San Francisco church.
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Michael is a deputy breaking news editor at The Standard.
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