Museums feel misled over march

St. Petersburg Times, Florida/April 7, 2007

St. Petersburg -- Just weeks after opening their first facility in St. Petersburg, Scientologists have irked two of the city’s most respected institutions - the Holocaust and Dali museums.

Representatives of both museums say they were misled when asked to support a human rights march but not told that the organizers are a rights advocacy group affiliated with the Church of Scientology.

The Florida Holocaust Museum has withdrawn its sponsorship of the Human Rights Walkathon, which is scheduled for today in Straub Park.

The event is organized by “Youth for Human Rights,” a local subgroup of International Youth for Human Rights, which is part of the Church of Scientology.

The Dali Museum was also concerned that organizers were not forthcoming about the event’s ties to Scientology. But it decided to remain a sponsor.