Thousands of Scientologists chanted and marched by candlelight Friday night in downtown Clearwater in a surprise demonstration against the city Police Department and the St. Petersburg Times.

Friday's activities included dueling candlelight vigils and dueling news conferences, with church members on one side and a group of about 25 anti-Scientology protesters on the other.

They accused Clearwater police of helping the anti-Scientology protesters and thereby violating the rights of Scientologists. They said they were preparing to take legal action against the police to protect their civil rights.