synanon imperial marines

Much of the violence by Synanon had been carried out by a group within Synanon called the "Imperial Marines". As a condition of probation, he was disallowed from taking part in managing Synanon. Dederich said: At the end of this rainbow, there will be a pot of gold. Returning to. Synanon is a US-founded social organization created by Charles E. "Chuck" Dederich Sr. in 1958 in Santa Monica, California, United States. But, a Synanon mob brutally beat Gambini in front of his family, Morantz writes. Remain forever and they could build a Utopian world designed by Dederich. The Foundation had the wire, an internal broadcasting system that played 24 hours with repeated talk of getting the enemies. It can also make dangerous criminals out of good people, also subject to it. Soon, Synanon owned properties across America; at Tomales Bay, it had a fleet of ships, and at the Badger property hundreds of motorbikes and trucks, not to mention an airstrip and a private plane. Childbirth said Dederich, was no more important than squeezing out a football. Synanon Imperial Marines. [25] Initially Synanon did not support violence; Dederich later changed the rules to allow for violence in order to maintain control. Six weeks later, the Los Angeles Police Department performed a search of the ranch in Badger that found a recorded speech by Dederich in which he said, "We're not going to mess with the old-time, turn-the-other-cheek religious postures Our religious posture is: Don't mess with us. It was a game because one being gamed could turn the game on another. In not too long of a time, Synanon commenced training the Imperial Marines in Depot Flats in the Badger Mountains and then attacked over 40 people (some attacks were before Marines trainedDederich, New Religious Posture, Dont Fuck with Synanon. Synanon began as a two-year residential program, but Dederich soon concluded that its members could never graduate, because a full recovery was impossible. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Did Synanon betray me an wound me? They are both true. Dederich bought and sold real estate. A horrifying newsreel from 1978 shows a frightened young woman telling a reporter that she fled after being punched and beaten as a child, and she saw many other kids being assaulted. Following its broadcast, executives of the network and its corporate chairman received hundreds of threats from Synanon members and supporters, including letters that said, Your actions place you in legal and physical peril and We are going to teach you a lesson you will never forget.. On October 10, 1978, Morantz was bitten by a rattlesnake which had been placed in his Pacific Palisades home mailbox by two members of the Synanon Imperial Marines, Lance Kenton and Joe Musico. Lance Kenton was sentenced to a year in prison. The Imperial Marines had caught and caged rattlesnakes in training (Wendall Stamps, Imperial Marine diary) and the snake was from Visalia (expert testimony, People vs. Dederich). While his associates went to jail, Dederich received probation because his doctors claimed that due to ill health he would most likely die in prison. Ex-Synanon members heard from members inside Synanon, that they had Morantzs address and that he was next, While Morantz was meeting with the California terrorist unit and LAPDID (intelligence) for protection on October 10, 2008, Synanon Marines Joe Musico and Lance Kenton, son of band leader Stan Kenton, as part of conspiracy with Dederich and other top officials, placed a 4-foot rattle snake sans rattles in Morantzs mailbox. The 'marines' retaliated by clubbing him over the head. Each person stripped and put on white robes. [17][18], The film director George Lucas needed a large group of people with shaved heads for the filming of his movie THX 1138 and hired some of his extras from Synanon. One was four months pregnant. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. [14] Upon their arrival, those newcomers were forced to quit using drugs cold turkey, going through withdrawal for the first few days in the program. A search of the vehicle turned up a fingerprint that matched one of Dederich's so-called "Imperial Marines," a no-nonsense security detail unafraid to employ violence should the moment call for it . This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. On Oct. 10, 1978, Morantz was bitten by a rattlesnake left in his Pacific Palisades home mailbox by two members of the Synanon Imperial Marines. Originally established as a drug rehabilitation program, by the early 1960s, Synanon became an alternative community centered on group truth-telling sessions that came to be known as the "Synanon Game," a form of attack therapy. The game was a session during which one member would talk about themselves and then endure intense criticism by their peers. Dederich designed an efficient program of individual emotional breakdowns followed by a mass group euphoria all designed to re-educate individuals into the Synanon II philosophy and lifestyle. (Robson card, Morantz memorandum). More than 80 people had been attacked by Synanon, Morantz said. He wasn't wearing his contact lenses, so wandered over to inspect the "mystery" object, assuming it was a scarf. Two members of a Synanon security force known as the "Imperial Marines," Lance Kenton and. (People vs. Dederich; Arrest report on Charles Dederich; IRS vs. Synanon). It is also referred to in the song "Opening Doors" from Stephen Sondheim's musical Merrily We Roll Along, which mentions it as a hypothetical song title in a satirical revue of the 1960s. It went from the first ever no doctor involved self help drug rehab (Synanon I), to a building of a new society in Synanon cities to lead the world into the 21st Century (Synanon II), to becoming a self-claimed religion (Synanon III). At eight a.m. Monday hand in hand the Trippers went down the corridor toward the sounds of band music. Julie Moncharsh recalled: "One boy, who was mentally retarded, was physically beaten because he did not do the 20 push-ups he was assigned. I really do want an ear in a glass of alcohol on my desk. Some laughed, others howled and sobbed. He got a job at Hughes Tools. In the summer of 1978 NBC produced a hard hitting news segment on Synanon. (Robson) suggested blowing me away with a shotgun, Morantz said. Did Synanon save my life? TIL In 1978, a dangerous cult called Synanon tried to murder an opponent by placing an de-rattled rattlesnake in his mailbox. (Dave Mitchell, The Light on Synanon; Gerstel, Paradise Inc.. Synanon Holy War file memos on beatings, Dr. Doug Robson letters, various police reports). [7][32][33] This incident, along with the press coverage, prompted an investigation by the police and government into Synanon. Inside were Synanon members and Imperial Marines Joe Musico and Lance Kenton, and they were held on suspicion of involvement in the rattlesnake attack. Taxation issues also arose. [15], Control over members occurred through the "Game". The New York psychiatrist Daniel Casriel M.D. Everyone was to cop-out (confess to past sins). His successful prosecution of Synanon led to an attempt against his life, by means of a rattlesnake. Members were to confess in games and no secrets were allowed. George Orwells l984 had arrived early. It would grow to become a well-funded utopian society throughout the late '60s and early '70s, before declaring itself a religion in 1974. . Trade players like stocks: https://codes.jockmkt.com/?utm_campaign=BAWS-A9EE Come%20join%20Jock%20MKT.%20Use%20my%20referral%20link:%20https://codes.jockmkt.. All thought the experience was beautiful. Yes. Read More. Children were often recruited from the Synaon schools and trained in military techniques with the growing stockpile of munitions Dederich had purchased. Synanon leaders and members have been linked with a large number of beatings and other acts of physical violence, and some have been convicted. Physically Dead. Morantzs name was mentioned in the tape along with threats to get the wives and children of adverse lawyers. If you do your best, you cant fail. (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). It was first offered to the selected few as an honor, but the entire population was eventually targeted. Synanon.) Morantz had successfully brought suit on behalf of a woman abducted by Synanon, winning a $300,000 judgment, obtained release of children, gave information to the press and lobbied (defeating) another Synanon bill written by Herschel Rosenthal. At the same time Pacific Palisades attorney Paul Morantz won a $300,000 judgment against the group on allegations that it had kidnapped, imprisoned and attempted to brainwash a woman on the verge of a psychotic break. (Berkeley Gazette l978, Mitchell, Light on Synanon). (Reynolds memo, People vs. Dederich; IRS vs. Synanon). Dederich would elsewhere declare that if you kept people up long enough you can make them believe anything (Deposition of Charles Dederich, Morantz vs Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon. Synanon is mentioned in Joan Didion's 1979 essay The White Album. Now in a ballroom the Trippers were surrounded by hundreds of cheering, clapping Synanites. [5] Outside of The Game, members were required to act civilly to each other. The snake bit Morantz but did not kill him. One just had to surrender to Synanon. (Marin Grand Jury Report on Synanon l978). (Eidson v. Robson, Synanon; Synanon memos describing incident). They are draining lifes blood from us and expecting us to play by their silly rules. After the rattlesnake incident, Mary Robson, wife of Imperial Marine leader Dr. Douglas Robson, went to a neighbor of Paul Morantzs mother and left her card so Morantz would know Synanon knew where his mother was. CEDU's schools used the confrontation model of Synanon. Mitchell developed a deep throat in the Sheriff department, Art Disterheft. ), On March 20, 1978, a former member of Synanon, Tom Cardineau was severely beaten (for being an alleged spy) while tied to a post during his honeymoon when he took his bride to show her where he had once lived on the Walker Creek Ranch. Social scientists flocked to see for themselves, while Hollywood came out with the film Synanon in 1965, starring Edmond O'Brien as Charles and Eartha Kitt as Betty. That is a very satisfactory, humane way of transmitting information. Eventually, on September 21, 2008 the Marines tried to murder ex-member Phil Ritter, who was trying to get his child out and had gone to the authorities complaining of forced vasectomies in Synanon, by clubbing him over the head (Berkely Gazette September 1978; Mitchell, the Light on Synanon). (Dederich, Act as If). In 1962 Dederich moved to an empty National Guard building on the beach in Santa Monica. Yet the Imperial Marines were named officially Her Majestys Imperial Marines, and she was often at their training and spoke of a militant Synanon (Wendell Stamps Imperial Marine diary). He received an. A big shot would advise the Trippers they were not really chosen as an honor, but each was really selected because each was a resister, thinking he or she knew better the direction Synanon should go, part of the dummies that hold Synanon back. Maybe, Dederich said, one day we will just put dingbats like you against the wall and wash them off and bring them back into the human race. (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). By 1991 the community had essentially folded. She has not been seen or heard from since. Some rolled up on the floor in fetal positions. "They are draining life's blood from us, and expecting us to play by their silly rules. One, Richard Marino, said they were handcuffed and beaten, and their heads were shaved. After winning a $300,000 judgment against Synanon, a once respected drug rehab group that had devolved into a paranoid, paramilitary cult, the ice under his feet got even thinner. When all were exhausted Dederich returned and offered forgiveness for surrender. Outsiders were permitted to attend the "Synanon Game" there as well. While he was in a rush one day, he arrived home, "put my Synanon evidence books on the kitchen counter", when he noticed "something dark and elongated through the grill of my mail chute". Those who went to jail for Synanon were treated as heroes. [23] Morantz had successfully brought suit on behalf of people who were being held against their will by Synanon. Six weeks later the Los Angeles Police Department performed a search of the ranch in Badger that turned up a recorded speech by Dederich in which he said, Were not going to mess with the old-time, turn-the-other-cheek religious postures our religious posture is: Dont mess with us. The school was headed by Al Bauman, who believed in an innovative philosophy and aimed to teach children in the same manner to think differently. decided to create his own program to respond to their needs. Synanon A Los Angeles lawyer is attacked by a poisonous rattlesnake leading police to a bizarre cult veiled as a drug and alcohol rehab facility. The group attracted thousands of drug addicts and eventually accepted juvenile delinquents who were ordered by the courts to receive Synanon's services - for a fee of course. The group is featured in the 2021 book Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by American linguist Amanda Montell. (Robert Jay Lifton, Coercive Persuasion, the Psychology of Totalism). They weren't welcomed. Click to reveal The tax assessment due to the violence conspiracy led the properties to be confiscated and/or sold. [42], The author, journalist and activist Maia Szalavitz claims to chart the influence of Synanon in other programs including Phoenix House, Straight, Incorporated and Boot Camps in addition to those mentioned above. This included taking vengeance against former Synanon members. Dederich placed them in a 72 hour game (stew) and harangued them for not seeing his vision. The name was chosen when a member slurred the words "Symposium" and "Seminar." One of its early cardinal rules was "no violence" or threat of same. He flunked out of Notre Dame for lack of effort and worked for the Mellon family. It became the format of destructive cults. The Synanon organization also developed a business that sold promotional items. Synanon evicted by tossing people and belongings out of apartments (even off a roof). Synanon, is the first ever self help-no doctors- drug rehabilitation program, founded by Charles "Chuck" Dederich Sr. (1913-1997) in 1958 in Santa Monica, California. According to court records, the cult formed a militant branch, known as the "Imperial Marines," to inflict violence against opponents of the organization. [34][35] Dederich died on 28 February 1997, at age 83, after a series of strokes; the cause of death was cardiorespiratory failure. As a rule, Synanon wasn't a violent place while my dad was there, but over time, Dederich grew crueler and more deranged. (Tony Lang, Synanon). (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Everyone bonded. In 1974 Synanon declared itself a religion and centered on middle-class searching for utopia rather than addict curing. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Teeth were knocked out. Episode 22 of Mannix depicts Synanon members involved with a fictitious 1945 Daily Clarion bombing that killed 14 men. After complaints about child abuse attracted attention in the press and visits from the police, Dederich ordered followers in 1976 to stop having kids, saying: I think children are a very bad investment.". Aids returned with smut obtained from the un-brokens spouses to use. [41], Father William B. O'Brien, the founder of New York's Daytop Village, included Synanon's group encounters and confrontational approach in his research into addiction treatment methods. Simon, not heeding what he wrote, later went to prison for destroying evidence unfavorable to Synanon (People vs. Simon). Remarkably, the authorities refused to intercede. [clarification needed] Synanon moved to create schooling for members, and Dederich wanted members to mentally change in order to improve society on the outside. In 1974 Synanon declared itself a religion and centered on middle-class searching for utopia rather than addict curing. Baby among 6 festival-goers sliced to death by glass-encrusted kite strings, BBC1's live FA Cup coverage hit by porn noises from mobile hidden by prankster, Three major energy suppliers paying you to turn off appliances tonight, Putin to make very important announcement on Ukraine war today', News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. (Deposition of Paul Morantz, Morantz vs. Synanon; People vs. Dederich; IRS vs. Synanon. (Synanon vs. KGO, Los Angeles Times archives, CBS News archives)/ Law suits brought by Morantz, and ones by Synanon against ABC and Time Magazine ultimately turned out to be Synanons undoing, giving through legal investigation journalists access to some internal documents on violence. The Marin County Supervisors, including Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein did not want to take a public position against Synanon as it was a constituent. [14] 81.169.224.1 Brainwashing is powerful enough to cure drug addiction while members remain subject to it. We will make the rules. Neighbors complained fearing Synanon would unleash non-recovered addicts into Santa Monica who came from other areas. There was The Witching Hour which featured a Ouija Board to be operated by Witches, two women in black and white robes. (Dederich, The Graduate Question). In 1967, Synanon purchased the Club Casa del Mar, a large beachside hotel in Santa Monica, as its headquarters and a dormitory for those undergoing treatment for drug addiction. Former Synanon President Jack Hurst spoke out against Synanon and found his home door open and his dog hung. Life Magazine did a 14 page photo spread, which a Congressman called the Miracle on the Beach, and Columbia Pictures made a movie Synanon, starring Edmond OBrien, Chuck Conners and Stella Stevens. Synanon mobs attacked teenagers and youngsters who got too close to the property. Synanon fought and lost the action on summary judgment based on their own admissions in their internal records. During the second stage, members worked outside of the community but still resided within the community. He is considered an expert on these subjects. Unsurprisingly, abused kids began running away, helped by an 'underground railroad', led by neighboring rancher Alvin Gambonini, who tried to reunite them with their parents. These changes led Synanon to its then certain fate. Women removed all makeup and jewelry, a symbolic stripping of past selves. [12] Before the incident, Synanon investigator Chris Reynolds wrote a memo on Morantz, giving his home address to Synanon legal department. But Synanon still remains the Granddaddy of all drug rehabs, the failure that launched an industry, its failure teaching us more than whatever its success had (Richard Ofshe, The Failure that spurned an Industry). The games turned on one than another. Upon Synanons disobedience, 13 police vehicles surrounded the building and drew their weapons. Publicly one was berated (haircut) for misdeeds and this was designed to carom off and affect behavior of those watching. Because there was no hierarchy in The Game, members could freely criticize Synanon's highest leadership, who would then take member concerns into consideration when deciding policy. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Finally, during the third stage, members both worked and lived outside of the community, but still attended regular meetings. Its members believed in Synanon enemies and encroachment of spies, created their own words (synanese), sought isolation from outside contaminants and committed to its destiny. (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). Dederich was arrested while drunk on December 2, 1978. Synanon purchased in 1967 the Club Casa del Mar, a large beach side 1926 hotel in Santa Monica (during WW II it was a military headquarters), and used it as a center and dormitory for drug treatment and business operations. Copyright Paul Morantz. This article is about the organization. They would adopt the Synanon family, said the board, or the fifth circle in Dantes hell, where tormented souls are terrorized and torn, awaited them. Dederich was arrested for operating in Santa Monica without a health license and out of zone. In another terrifying experience, a former junkie wanted to visit the cult, but he took a personal security man, Jack Harding, in case things turned nasty. Joe Musico proposed to the Board that at its June 26 meeting it reconsider the idea of an additional Synanon National Guard and place him in charge of training it. These lawsuits ultimately turned out to be a large part of Synanon's undoing, by giving journalists access to Synanon's own internal documents. And there was no way that its leader was going to share any of that with the taxman. The imprisonment made Dederich a public martyr. Members were taught that if caught on a violent mission to go to jail and to not blame Synanon. The Associate Press did a study of Synanons efforts to discourage the press (AP Study on Synanon Retraction Program). The Trippers, many of whom had been awake for 65 or more hours, were hugged and cheered. Imperial Marines carried an E-11 blaster rifle, a MiniMag shoulder-launched proton torpedo launcher, and multiple thermal . (West Magazine, l967, Morantz archives on Synanon) Subsequently, Synanon acquired a large industrial building in Oakland, California, transforming it into a residential facility for its members, outsiders were permitted to attend the Game there as well. ", Los Angeles police officer Richard Grotsley holds the rattlesnake that bit attorney Paul Morantz. For a shower, a hose ran through a window (Casriel, So Fair a House, Yablonski, The Tunnel Back: Guy Endore, Synanon; Charles Dederich tapes on history of Synanon). Curing dope fiends was what they wanted. The 1984 TV movie Attack on Fear, directed by Mel Damski, written by T.S. Males were forced in games to have vasectomies performed by Synanon doctors, and a few pregnant women were even required to have an abortion. Later the flies (Dederich trained youngsters) took over the attack. A Los Angeles District Attorney search warrant led to a discovery of an audio tape wherein Dederich bragged of beatings that had occurred, the Imperial Marine training, and said one day the message would be delivered to everyone Dont mess with Synanon. To keep people in, he posted and announced as a warning all reports of anyone who left and returned to drugs. Members were brainwashed, tortured mentally and barred from leaving the communityescaped members were subject to beatings. Dederich concluded in l967 that the program was not a success, and ended the concept of graduation. Without continued peer pressure, most ex-addicts reverted on leaving, as did the Korean prisoners of War (giving up Communism) in 90-days. Through a telehone call to Paul Morantz by the Marin County council, the Supervisors requested Morantz lobby to defeat the bill which was in its last committee for vote. This became a successful enterprise that for a time generated roughly $10 million per year.[13]. Yes! On the wall was a lifesaver called the U.S. The psychotic leader of Synanon, Charles Dederich, features in a new series of Oxygens Deadly Cults which examines how this tyrant wielded so much deadly power over his many besotted followers. Dederich became an AA favorite speaker and went to an AA meeting every day. Synanon disbanded in 1991[6] due to members being convicted of criminal activities (including attempted murder) and retroactive loss of its tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) due to financial misdeeds, destruction of evidence, and terrorism. He decided to move to Santa Monica and become a beach bum. Dederich officially declared it a Holy War. (Dederich letter to Mike Garrett, Synanon Holy War file, 1978 Board minutes of SynanonJady Dederich, Morantz vs Synanon, IRS vs. Synanon. Fluid leaked into his spine causing a near fatal case of spinal meningitis. Believed trespassers were taken into the basements of Santa Monica Del Mar building and worked over on directions of Dr. Robson. The concept of "lifetime rehabilitation" did not agree with therapeutic norms, and it was alleged[by whom?] Dederich called it an insight producing experience. (Deposition of Charles Dederich, Morantz vs. Dederich; Morantz vs. Synanon, IRS vs. By BRANDON MESSICK Bmessick@havasunews.com Dec 9, 2018 Updated Aug 21, 2022 2 Stay Informed.. In mid-1978, the NBC Nightly News produced a news segment on the controversies surrounding Synanon. Paddy Wagons awaited Synanon protesters. Paul Robert Morantz (born August 16, 1945) is an American attorney and investigative journalist. Correcting Claire Clarks Recovery Revolution, Book Escape: My Life Long War Against Cults. (Defendant's Statement of Material Facts at 68-74, 108-09.) Its a feeling of closeness to each other we are after, the death of the ego. The concept of lifetime rehabilitation did not agree with therapeutic norms, and eventually in l977 attorney Paul Morantz would bring to the Health Depts attention that the group was running an unauthorized medical clinic and taking in people with medical needs Synanon had no license to treat. The couple claimed that the wife had been held captive by Synanon and that during her stay, leaders at Synanon had attempted to brainwash her. It is claimed that Dederich, after taking LSD,[7] Dederich and Yablonsky acknowledged that the system was brainwashing (thought reform) as described by Dr. Robert Jay Lifton in Coercive PersuasionThe psychology of Totalism (Yablonski, The Tunnel Back). [26] Over 80 violent acts were committed, including mass beatings that hospitalized teenagers and ranchers who were beaten in front of their families. to have been involved in several criminal activities, such as the disappearance of Rose Lena Cole in late 1972, or early 1973. Violence was then permitted upon them, breaking for first time Synanons non violent rule. Children were struck across the face, knocked down, otherwise punished and then gamed. Soon the OK on violence would spread to splitees, suspected thieves and perceived spies and enemies. he rattlesnake lashed out too quickly for Morantz to react, and its fangs sank into his wrist. Learn: American Rehab resources Many young teenagers who got too close to Synanon property were beaten brutally by Synanon mobs.