The Clash Continues Over Emily Armstrong
Chrissie Carnell Bixler, wife of the Mars Volta musician and accuser of Masterson, responds to the group's new singer: «If you remain silent you have no right to fill the role of Chester Bennington»
“Dear Emily, if you do not speak out against the cult you are part of that is implicated in human and child trafficking, the cult you are silently allowing to commit those crimes, then you have no right to fill the role of Chester Bennington .”
Thus begins the open letter addressed to Emily Armstrong, the new singer of Linkin Park . The author is Chrissie Carnell Bixler, wife of Cedric Bixler-Zavala of the Mars Volta and one of the accusers of actor Danny Masterson, a member of Scientology (the cult mentioned in the letter) convicted of rape last year. Both Masterson, the victims, the Bixlers, and Armstrong are members or have been members of the Church of Scientology.
In an old social comment that resurfaced after Armstrong's announcement that he was joining Linkin Park , the Mars Volta singer accused the singer of having supported Masterson in court. Indifferent to the rape allegations, which later led to a conviction , Scientology members reportedly rallied around the actor, going so far as to intimidate the victims.
After the story resurfaced and the spotlight was on Linkin Park, Armstrong responded on Instagram that it was true that she “went to one of the first hearings” in court, but only “as an observer.” She later realized “that I shouldn’t have done it. I always try to see the good in people and I was mistaken with him. I haven’t spoken to him since. Unthinkable details emerged and he was found guilty. I’m writing this as clearly as possible: I do not condone abuse and violence against women and I stand in solidarity with the victims.”
This stance is evidently not enough for Chrissie Carnell Bixler, who would like Armstrong to speak out strongly against Scientology and the climate of fear, if not terror, created by the cult. “I don’t give a shit if you’re friends with a serial rapist,” Chrissie Carnell Bixler wrote on Instagram stories. “I don’t give a shit if you lied in your Instagram “apology.” I care that you participated in the intimidation of a woman at the trial with your cult mates. I care that you didn’t say you’re part of a child and human trafficking cult that covers up the abuse and rape of children and adults,” that is, Scientology.
"I don't care," Carnell Bixler continues, "that your parents work in the OSA (Office of Special Affairs) of the Scientology cult that ordered the attacks on me and my family, killing my dogs in an inhuman and evil world. I don't care that they attacked my sisters who survived" the violence.
Armstrong, she concludes, should take a stand against Scientology. She doesn't do it "not out of fear, but because you're one of them. Linkin Park, shame on you. Fuck you."
In another Instagram story, Chrissie Bixler quotes Mirriam Francis, who she calls a victim of Scientology. The woman says she was friends with Emily Armstrong, of whom she offers a beautiful portrait as a child, and asks some questions: "You say you feel close to the victims, but do you have any idea how the victims of Danny Masterson's crimes felt that day ( in court, ed. )? Do you have any idea what it feels like to be a rape victim with people close to you who you thought were your friends turning against you, disparaging you, trying to silence you, threatening you, harassing you, lying about themselves and closing ranks to defend your rapist? How does it feel to be surrounded by those people inside the courthouse?"
The point: “I would like to know if you are still in Scientology.” And then: “Emily, you have a chance. You have a voice. Many of us never have. I hope you will use your power to do something good.”