Brooks Gibbs and Mark Bunker save Pinellas County from a blunder favoring Scientology

Activists intervened to prevent a county board decision that would have benefited the controversial church

Mar. 27, 2026 at 6:55pm

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Tuesday's meeting of the Pinellas County Board of Commissioners in Florida was the site of unexpected drama regarding Scientology's influence in the area. Activists Brooks Gibbs and Mark Bunker stepped in to prevent the board from making a decision that would have favored the controversial church.

Why it matters

Scientology has long sought to expand its foothold in Clearwater, Florida, which is home to the church's spiritual headquarters. This incident highlights the ongoing battle between the church and local residents and officials who are concerned about Scientology's growing presence and influence in the community.

The details

The details of what exactly transpired at the county board meeting are still emerging, but it appears that the commissioners were poised to make a decision that would have benefited Scientology in some way. Gibbs and Bunker, two well-known anti-Scientology activists, intervened and were able to sway the board to reconsider their position, preventing the decision from going through.

  • The Pinellas County Board of Commissioners meeting took place on Tuesday, March 26, 2026.

The players

Brooks Gibbs

A longtime activist who has been outspoken in his opposition to Scientology's influence in the Clearwater area.

Mark Bunker

Another prominent anti-Scientology activist who has been involved in efforts to limit the church's expansion in Pinellas County.

Pinellas County Board of Commissioners

The governing body of Pinellas County, Florida, which includes the city of Clearwater, home to Scientology's spiritual headquarters.

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What they’re saying

“We must remain vigilant in our efforts to prevent Scientology from gaining further influence in our community.”

— Brooks Gibbs, Anti-Scientology activist

“This was a close call, but we were able to stop the board from making a decision that would have benefited Scientology. We'll continue to fight against their expansion in Clearwater.”

— Mark Bunker, Anti-Scientology activist

What’s next

The Pinellas County Board of Commissioners will likely revisit the issue at a future meeting, and Gibbs, Bunker, and other activists will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for policies that limit Scientology's influence in the area.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing battle between Scientology and local residents and officials in Clearwater, Florida, as the controversial church seeks to expand its presence and influence in the community. The actions of activists like Gibbs and Bunker demonstrate the importance of vigilance and community engagement in pushing back against Scientology's efforts to gain a stronger foothold in the region.