Resurfaced claims about Xavier Becerra’s ties to, and reward for, the controversial Church of Scientology are fueling renewed criticism because the gubernatorial candidate positive aspects momentum within the race to grow to be California’s subsequent governor.
The web erupted with criticism of Becerra after Yashar Ali, a Democratic political influencer, responded to a clip praising Becerra by writing, “Xavier Becerra, the person who protected Scientology for years?”
“The person who was so trusted by David Miscavige that he would reference him in non-public conversations as somebody to succeed in out to when the group wanted one thing?” he added on X.
Ali was referencing Becerra’s alleged shut connection to Miscavige, the second chief of the Church of Scientology, who has confronted widespread allegations of human trafficking, pressured labor, bodily abuse of subordinates, and baby abuse.
Critics and defectors have described a tradition of concern inside the group, whereas authorized battles have accused Miscavige of evading service.
Whereas Ali helped spark the dialog surrounding Scientology and Becerra, one other journalist, Tony Ortega, a former Village Voice editor turned unbiased journalist, shared particulars of the previous Well being and Human Providers secretary’s interactions with and opinions about Scientology.
In 1997, Becerra, whereas serving within the Home of Representatives, urged colleagues to vote for a decision defending Scientologists in Germany, stating, “Lots of my constituents,” he famous, “are members of non secular minority teams just like the Church of Scientology,” and so they “deserve this safety.”
In 2000, he spoke on the grand opening of the headquarters for ABLE, a Scientology-affiliated group, praising the group by saying, “You revive Hollywood… you kindle the spirit and dedication of these of us who… have a possibility to work with ABLE to make life higher.”
Becerra additionally attended a star-studded gala on the Scientology Hollywood Celeb Centre in 2003 in his official capability as a U.S. consultant.
This renewed scrutiny comes as Becerra continues to surge within the polls.
New Vegas betting odds closely favor the previous Biden cupboard member in California’s crowded governor’s race — and it’s not even shut. A latest Emerson ballot additionally positioned him on the high of the sphere, with 19% of voters saying they have been more likely to vote for him.
The Becerra camp defended his actions and described what they known as a troubling sample of the Church of Scientology’s deceiving and abusive nature in the direction of its personal members, together with the manipulation of an elected official.
“The Church of Scientology is dealing with the reckoning it deserves for many years of deception, abuse, and coercion,” Becerra marketing campaign spokesperson Jonathan Underland informed the San Francisco Normal. “It’s dishonest to use what we all know at present to selections made within the Nineteen Nineties and early 2000s, earlier than the reality was public report. Within the years since, public figures and elected officers like Becerra have rightly chosen to disengage. And in terms of this explicit group, Becerra will do what he has at all times finished: go after highly effective establishments that prey on Californians.”
The Church of Scientology is a worldwide motion based within the Fifties by science-fiction author L. Ron Hubbard. It combines religious teachings with self-help practices, together with “auditing,” a type of counseling utilized by members. The church has confronted many years of scrutiny and controversy however continues to function worldwide, with headquarters in Los Angeles.
Its best-known members embrace Tom Cruise, John Travolta, and Elisabeth Moss, whereas former members reminiscent of Leah Remini, Lisa Marie Presley, and Jason Lee have publicly left or criticized the group.
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