St. and on Boston Common last weekend. A member-shown in a mask from graphic-novel-turned-film V for Vendetta-talks with Boston Police supervising the event.

Steve Klise/Beacon staff

Members of the Internet-based organization Anonymous, whose affiliates wear masks in order to avoid identification by Scientologists during rallies, turned out on Boston Common last Saturday to protest the Church of Scientology. Anonymous derives its name and ideology from the online image boards on which it first organized. On the boards, username registration is not required and individuals are free to voice their opinions without revealing their identities. The protest, dubbed “Operation Reconnect” by its organizers, aimed to raise awareness of the Church’s practice of disconnecting Scientologists from family and friends who find fault with the religion’s policies.