When we invited guests to the evening program, we would have to warn them about the unfriendly people outside our house. This was at the height of legalized conservatorships, kidnappings, and the court case involving the "Faithful Five." "Oh, they just don’t like our community and our lifestyle, and they don’t want anyone coming over," we would say to guests. The scene outside 1169 Washington Street (an Francisco) was like a wild circus. Picketers with big signs would be circling like vultures on the sidewalk, waiting for us to try to get people inside safely.
They would most often succeed in at least getting a flyer in the hands of guests, who would be a bit confused and alarmed by this screaming mob. We also had a band of "regulars" who would appear at crucial witnessing moments. They could be counted on to come up with the most inflammatory things to say! We always witnessed in pairs those days, so with a little luck (and lots of spiritual intervention) one of us would be able to draw the "nego" off, although they were pretty good at figuring out who was being witnessed to! Despite all this, people came in droves, people were sincerely moved, and so many, many people joined. I remember occasions when over 100 guests would attend weekend workshop at Boonville.
From 40 Years in America, p. 212.