That is a very satisfactory, humane way of transmitting information. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. This included taking vengeance against. (Robson) suggested blowing me away with a shotgun, Morantz said. But there was a catch: new members had to transfer their assets to the organization. Robson wrote back the mission was accomplished (Garfield-Robson letters). He was said to have coined the phrase "today is the first day of the rest of your life". Was it a wonderful place to be? Synanons purchase of over $200,000 dollars of weapons from a single gun store also brought media attention. he rattlesnake lashed out too quickly for Morantz to react, and its fangs sank into his wrist. The medical board was to establish rules for Synanon but never did. His successful prosecution of Synanon led to an attempt against his life, by means of a rattlesnake. [12], One of the most distinguishing practices of the Synanon community was a therapeutic practice commonly referred to as "The Game." (Eidson v. Robson, Synanon; Synanon memos describing incident). So did Synanon member Steve Simon in his Harvard dissertation (the danger of being a participant observer is that you may be converted). [7][32][33] This incident, along with the press coverage, prompted an investigation by the police and government into Synanon. He remarried, but alcohol did in that marriage, too. Tax issues arose. [16] 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. It is currently active in Germany. One, Richard Marino, said they were handcuffed and beaten, and their heads were shaved. Beatings of opponents, alleged thieves and ex-members ( splittees) occurred across the country. ), 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. Imperial Marines carried an E-11 blaster rifle, a MiniMag shoulder-launched proton torpedo launcher, and multiple thermal . Other journalists who took on Synanon were LA Times reporter Narda Zuchinno and CBSs Connie Chung. Philip K. Dick makes several references to Synanon in his 1977 novel A Scanner Darkly and 1981 novel VALIS. Dederich said freedom to think to a dope addict was like a gun to a baby, and they wash dirty brains. The Department of Justice in the 80s, hiring Morantz and sociologist Richard Offshe as consultants, sued Synanon to remove its tax-free status retroactively for committing a reign of terrorism. He would never bond with kids again, including his own until they became adults. These lawsuits ultimately turned out to be a large part of Synanon's undoing, by giving journalists access to Synanon's own internal documents. He flunked out of Notre Dame for lack of effort and worked for the Mellon family. Before the snake in the mailbox, Dederich, to escape a warrant for his arrest in Washington, D.C. fled to Europe where he returned to alcohol drinking. Those suffering from addictions to illegal drugs were not always welcomed into AA because it was considered that their addiction issues were significantly different from those suffered by alcoholics. At 7 p.m. on Friday the chosen Trippers, around 50 in number, of all ages, were met in the Del Mar lobby by people dressed in long white robes and yellow silk scarves. For the film, see, Synanon's influence in the behavior-modification field. By the late 1970s, he'd formed a small army called the Imperial Marines, which committed dozens of heinous crimes, like mass beatings against defectors, whom Dederich called "splittees." 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. Your IP: It became the format of destructive cults. Most of his remaining time he was segregated in Synanon, as the foundation tried to revert back to early images and goals. Synanon emphasized tough love and a cold turkey approach to rehabilitation for substance abusers. In 1959, Synanon moved from their small storefront to an abandoned armory on the beach. It was alleged[by whom?] Ron Eidson, after a road skirmish, and refusing Dr. Robsons demand for apology, was pistol whipped and hospitalized while shotguns were held on his watching family. 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. (Robert Jay Lifton, Coercive Persuasion, the Psychology of Totalism). Robert Graeme told reporters that upon arriving, the cult's leader threatened him. He had been litigating against the organization, getting children returned to their families, giving information to the media, lobbying against a Synanon bill and fighting to expose its hit squad to law enforcement. He aimed to ensnare patients to remain in Synanon forever, and create a utopian society of his own design. Much of the violence by Synanon had been carried out by a group within Synanon called the "Imperial Marines". He decided to move to Santa Monica and become a beach bum. (Robson letters, crime reports, Synanon memos on each event, Synanon Holy War file, Depostions of ex-Synanon member, Morantz vs. Synanon; IRS vs. Synanon). Convicted, rather than move as condition of probation he chose to go to jail. Synanon expanded an old Trans-Pacific Marconi RCA radio station in Tomales Bay now Marconi Conference Center State Historical Park. (See id. George Orwells l984 had arrived early. 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.". According to court records, the cult formed a militant branch, known as the "Imperial Marines," to inflict violence against opponents of the organization. Synanon fought and lost the action on summary judgment based on their own admissions in their internal records. Dederich was familiar with Waldens Pond and the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson and B. F. Skinner. (Dave Mitchell, The Light on Synanon; Gerstel, Paradise Inc.. Synanon Holy War file memos on beatings, Dr. Doug Robson letters, various police reports). He had outsmarted Synanon and its team of lawyers. Aired: 06/14/2020 TV-14 | 2 years left Season 2 - Episodes 43:49 S2 - E1 Spiritual Warriors 43:49 Marino said: "I thought they were going to kill us.". One just had to surrender to Synanon. The broken joined the attack. Episode 22 of Mannix depicts Synanon members involved with a fictitious 1945 Daily Clarion bombing that killed 14 men. Publicly one was berated (haircut) for misdeeds and this was designed to carom off and affect behavior of those watching. That is the end of that lawyer. (Deposition of Charles Dederich, Morantz vs. Dederich; Morantz vs. Synanon, IRS vs. "One big dysfunctional family: A former member of the Synanon cult recalls the 'alternative lifestyle' that shaped her, for better and worse". Drug users started coming, and the alcoholics objected, and since there was already AA Dederich tossed out the drunks and kept the dope fiends. A members sluring the words symposium and seminar led to name Synanon. A Synanon mob beat Gambini in front of his family. A Grand Jury in Marin County, pushed by Paul Morantz, issued a scathing report in March of 1978 attacking Synanon for its child abuse and for the profits that flowed to Dederich, weapons, threat and also attacking authorities for their lack of oversight. All Rights Reserved. In the 1970s, two men were run off the road near one of their properties. He and his family were represented by Paul Morantz and Ed Martin in a civil suit. to have been involved in several criminal activities, such as the disappearance of Rose Lena Cole in late 1972, or early 1973. 40 years ago, Synanon, a cult with a violent past, moved into Havasu. Synanon lawyer Howard Garfield ordered Marine head Dr. Douglas Robson to collect all Synanon memos describing their violence and transfer them to legal department so attorney client privilege would attach. The Synanon organization also developed a business that sold promotional items. Later the flies (Dederich trained youngsters) took over the attack. . As a condition of probation, he was disallowed from taking part in managing Synanon. (Dederich, Act as If). In 1962 Dederich moved to an empty National Guard building on the beach in Santa Monica. Dederich placed them in a 72 hour game (stew) and harangued them for not seeing his vision. Aids returned with smut obtained from the un-brokens spouses to use. Fluid leaked into his spine causing a near fatal case of spinal meningitis. Outsiders were permitted to attend the "Synanon Game" there as well. [14] The practice has been charactized as a form of attack therapy. In June of l978 Ernestine White, a black grandmother was trying to get her three grand kids out. Hollywood Park: A Memoir, by Mikel Jollett (founder of The Airborne Toxic Event) was published in May 2020 and describes Jollett's life in, and escape from Synanon. The 1950s were a time when incarceration was considered the only cure for drug addiction. [47] Throughout the series, one of the show's hosts, Brace Belden, talks about his childhood experience in a correctional, co-ed private facility called the Monarch School, which has been closed due to allegations of widespread abuse under the watch of its founder, Patrick McKenna, a Synanon disciple. Juveniles in the 70s were often sent to Synanon by juvenile agencies or by courts on juvenile officers recommendation. Children were often recruited from the Synaon schools and trained in military techniques with the growing stockpile of munitions Dederich had purchased. Dederich preached Act as If which meant do not try to reason as to what Synanon asks they do; as thinking got them there, just trust what they were told and act as if it is right. The cops uncover a group of blind followers willing to do anything at their leader's urging, even murder. All three minors were then returned to Ms. White. The cult required mandatory abortions and vasectomies for its members, and married couples would accept new partners selected by Synanon every three years. After litigation over the tax assessment, which in the end it could not pay, Synanon doors finally closed for good in 1991. (Robert J. Lifton, Coercive Persuasion, The Psychology of Totalism; Dr. Edgar Friedman, The Nation 1965, a review of Yablonskis the Tunnel back The author fails to see the inhumanity he observesSynanon is a trade of one addiction for another..one day there will be a Synanon state of Mind more important than the club itself). The imprisonment made Dederich a public martyr. Later on, Synanon acquired a large building that had been the home of the Athens Athletic Club, in Oakland, California, and then transformed it into a residential facility for Synanon's members. A drunken Dederich was arrested on December 2 in Lake Havesu. Paddy Wagons awaited Synanon protesters. He recalled: "Chuck Dederich walked in, and he said 'I'm tired of these guys coming in this place. But he nearly lost his life as a result of his investigation into Synanon. Journal of Humanistic Psychology 18.3 (1978): 320. The Guides, all experienced game players, turned each group from enthusiasm to a depression and defeat, wallowing in its collective shame. A Shepherd led them through candle-lit and incense-burning corridors to a locker room filled with rows of Army cots with name cards. The 1965 Columbia Pictures movie Synanon, directed by Richard Quine, was set at (and filmed in) Synanon; it starred Edmond O'Brien as Chuck Dederich, as well as Chuck Connors, Stella Stevens, Richard Conte, and Eartha Kitt. Brainwashing is powerful enough to cure drug addiction while members remain subject to it. But in fact Robson had failed and the violence memos, including the Garfield-Robson letters were scatter in the Synanon San Franciso warehouse which was opened for copying to the law firm of Lillick, Mchose and Charles (to avoid discovery sanctions) who then found them (Synanon vs. ABC; IRS vs. Synanon). On the wall was a lifesaver called the U.S. He was found passed out on a kitchen floor and was told, Fatso, if you do not go to Alcoholic Anonymous you will die. (Dr. Dan Casriel, So Fair a House, Yablonski, The Tunnel Back: Guy Endore, Synanon; Charles Dederich tapes on history of Synanon.). "Synanon House A Consideration for Its Implications on American Correction". Aids, who did their homework, provided ammunition to the Conductors on each Tripper. During the first stage, members did community and housekeeping labor. Synanon began as a two-year residential program, but Dederich soon concluded that its members could never graduate, because a full recovery was impossible. Lance Kenton was sentenced to a year in prison. We will make the rules. I am quite willing to break some lawyer's legs, and next break his wife's legs, and threaten to cut their child's arm off. California donated a block long building in San Francisco. To recruit needed non addict club members, Dederich created The Trip, forerunner of Werner Erhards est training, which was a combination of group psychotherapy, coercive persuasion, mysticism and old fashion spiritual revival. Teeth were knocked out. 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 imperial marines. (Synanon Holy War file, Robson letters, IRS vs. Synanon). Upon Synanons disobedience, 13 police vehicles surrounded the building and drew their weapons. [9] [43], Straight Life: The Story of Art Pepper includes several chapters (21 - 23) about living at Synanon from 1969 - 1971.[44]. Believed trespassers were taken into the basements of Santa Monica Del Mar building and worked over on directions of Dr. Robson. With its sudden fame, by early 1964 Synanon had also become an alternative community, attracting people with its emphasis on living a self-examined life, as aided by group truth-telling sessions known as the Synanon Game. With its new wealth, they started building its first city in Marin County (Tomales Bay). A . The games turned on one than another. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Correcting Claire Clarks Recovery Revolution, Book Escape: My Life Long War Against Cults. Former Synanon President Jack Hurst spoke out against Synanon and found his home door open and his dog hung. Everyone was to cop-out (confess to past sins). Neighbors complained fearing Synanon would unleash non-recovered addicts into Santa Monica who came from other areas. Dig Deeper Listen: The American Rehab podcast series Read: Reveal's reporting on All Work, No Pay. 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. 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. (Casriel, So Fair a House, Yablonski, The Tunnel Back: Guy Endore, Synanon; Charles Dederich tapes on history of Synanon, Columbia Pictures: Synanon). : todayilearned In September 26, 2022, the TrueAnon podcast also released a 5-part series on the history of Synanon called The Game. Morantz spent six days in a hospital, news of which made national headlines. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. The Story of This Drug Rehab-Turned-Violent Cult Is Wild, Wild Country-Caliber Bizarre . [21] After Synanon's transition into an alternate society in 1968, this program changed to a "lifetime rehabilitation" program, with the premise that drug addicts would never truly be well enough to return to society. Childbirth said Dederich, was no more important than squeezing out a football. Synanon is referred to in Bob Dylan's song "Lenny Bruce", from his album Shot of Love (Bruce "never made it to Synanon"). Both were members of Synanon's 'Imperial Marines,' a security group within the drug and alcohol rehabilition organization. Dederich also created an armed wing within Synanon called the Imperial Marines, and ordered those within the unit to prevent any of the residents from leaving. ), he cut himself off from society, and instead of sending rehabilitated junkies back into the world, they were to stay in Synanon forever. In the summer of 1978 NBC produced a hard hitting news segment on Synanon. Professionals, even those without drug addictions, were invited to join Synanon. (Dederich tape: The Freebies are Over; Arizona vs. Home Place Inc., Morantz archives on Synanon. Newcomers were first interviewed by Synanon leadership to gain entrance into the community. Plus, control freak Dederich wanted even more power. The two other Synanon Imperial Marines, one of whom was Lance Kenton, son of musician Stan Kenton, pleaded no contest to charges of assault and conspiracy to commit murder. Crying, Trippers embraced, feeling euphoria and transcending love. The Imperial Marines was Synanon's private fighting force, trained inside the organization and heavily armed. If you do your best, you cant fail. (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). A reference point for the rest of your life. View our online Press Pack. By 1991 the community had essentially folded. The former compound of a notorious cult in the foothills of northeastern Tulare County will soon be vacation rentals. Though local newspapers and broadcast media covered the case, they were largely silenced by lawsuits from Synanon lawyers charging libel. (Yablonski, The Tunnel Back: Guy Endore, Synanon; Charles Dederich tapes on history of Synanon). While in The Game, members criticized each other, but left as friends and supportive community members. "Synanon: Toward Building a Humanistic Organization". Sternberg, David. When California officials set about revoking Synanons charitable trust status, Dederich declared Synanon a religion in 1974. Several of the famous jazz musicians credited with cure returned to drugs. (Defendant's Statement of Material Facts at 68-74, 108-09.) Read More. Synanon members bought stock in ABC and attended a stock holders meeting, and naming their names, the members, identifying themselves as former members of Murder Incorporated, asked if the board had protection for their wives (Synanon vs. ABC, AP Western Union Telegram; Pat Lynch, NBC segment 3). Originally a nonviolent group, Diedrich created the "Imperial Marines" to maintain orderwithin and outside of the community. Several weeks after NBC began receiving threats, on October 10, 1978, two Synanon members placed a de-rattled rattlesnake in the mailbox of attorney Paul Morantz of Pacific Palisades, California. Click to reveal [27] People who left the organization were at risk of physical violence for being a "splittee"; one ex-member, Phil Ritter, was beaten so severely that his skull was fractured and he subsequently fell into a coma with a near-fatal case of bacterial meningitis.[28][29][30]. 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. He feared that Marines otherwise would have to work with untrained and undisciplined . Recovering alcoholic Charles 'Chuck' Dederich founded Synanon in 1958 to provide substance abuse reform to drug users as well as alcoholics in Santa Monica, California. Many young teenagers who got too close to Synanon property were beaten brutally by Synanon mobs. They are both true. Ultimately, it purchased an arsenal of high-powered weapons, developed its own security force and in an isolated concealed valley across its airfield called Depot Flats, it set up camp to train the Imperial Marines. Synanon Holy War file memos on beating). In 1974 Synanon declared itself a religion and centered on middle-class searching for utopia rather than addict curing. Eventually followers took on the paranoia of its founder, Synanon developed the Imperial Marines and commenced a Holy War against its enemies. . 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. The original name was The Tender Loving Care Club. Children who had been assigned to Synanon began running away, and an "underground railroad" had been created in the area that sought to help them return to their parents. The Marines were led by Dr. Douglas Robson who would eventually flee in fear of arrest and set up practice in Seattle. Morantz had prepared for that. Some cried for their mothers. Fighting to stay awake, defenses wiped away, the unbroken broke and asked for forgiveness. It was a game because one being gamed could turn the game on another. The Trip was so successful that in only its second year the lifestylers business contributed $500,000. It is claimed that Dederich, after taking LSD,[7] Physically Dead. Morantzs name was mentioned in the tape along with threats to get the wives and children of adverse lawyers. 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.
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