Hey Brothers and Sisters, Just wanted to share that today while checking out the newspaper I saw a huge article about the Rainbows, and how they were helping out the flood victims. In the Dallas Morning News called "After the flood, there were Rainbows" It was written really well with a very positive view on the Rainbow Family, and had a lot of good things to say about the help they were giving to all these people. I too just wanted to say thanks to everybody whose been helping out and extending your love to all people when they need it most. If you have been helping out in any way at all, please share what you've done and what you are doing to help. Thanks everybody.
thanks deadhead, i've been lookin for some press about this here's the story... http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/news/nation/stories/DN-rainbow_23tex.ART.State.Edition1.4270d58.html After the flood, there were Rainbows 'Flower people' feeding hurricane victims, winning over skeptics 12:00 AM CDT on Sunday, October 23, 2005 By ALLEN JOHNSON Jr. / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News SOUTHWESTNEW ORLEANS – It was like two rescue ships passing at noon. Shortly after U.S. Attorney General Al Gonzales announced a crackdown on Hurricane Katrina-related fraud here last week, a small procession of stoic federal agents in dark SUVs glided out of the French Quarter. Led by a wailing police siren, the convoy curved onto a wide boulevard near Washington Square. A conspicuous sign, posted by a group of colorfully dressed campers in the park, beckoned: "Welcome home New Orleans, Community kitchen, free meals." The federal cavalcade pressed on, en route to Mr. Gonzales' scheduled tour of a disaster relief center. Unlike other law enforcement and military personnel, the federal agents in New Orleans passed up a hot meal cooked by the Rainbow Family of a Living Light, a unique disaster response team on the Gulf Coast. A loose-knit network of about 50 long-haired organic apple farmers, medics, midwives and peace activists, members of the Rainbow Family were among the first relief groups to reach hard-hit Waveland, Miss., after Katrina struck on Aug. 29, a police spokesman confirmed. Operating under colored tents in a parking lot across from the Waveland Police Department, the group cooks and serves three hot meals a day to as many as 5,000 people in Waveland. The kitchen in New Orleans, set up about three weeks ago, can serve an estimated 500 people. In Mississippi, the Rainbows are gaining a reputation among law enforcement and county officials for hard work and tenacity. "They have been here pretty much since the beginning," says Lt. Brett Ladner, patrol commander of the Waveland Police Department and a 20-year veteran of law enforcement. "They are flower people, but they are busting their butts," Lt. Ladner says with a chuckle. Various church groups and relief organizations have come and gone, Mr. Ladner says. The Rainbows endure, and their tenure has not been without hardships. "When we pulled into Waveland, there were dead animals in the street," said Felipe Chavez, 67, a long-haired Yaqui native of Arizona and tattooed veteran of the Marine Corps. "There was a big boat right next to the kitchen, and we had to move it." Rainbows proudly note the food they cook is donated, fresh and often organic. Yet, they cringe at any suggestion they are organized, competitive or otherwise structured. "We're not really an organization; we're just people," says Richard Rawski, 49, an organic apple farmer from Wisconsin, wearing a bright yellow T-shirt, purple sweatpants and sandals. The Rainbow Family itself defies easy description. The group has a Web site (www.welcome home.org), but no leaders or spokesman. The Rainbow Web site cautions: "It is a long-standing Rainbow Family consensus that nobody has ever, or ever will, represent the Rainbow Family." However, Rainbows acknowledge some common characteristics: They are pro-environment, accept alternative lifestyles, believe in nonviolence and worship God, whose definition is left open to interpretation. They advocate health and hygiene. Diners are asked to wash their hands in portable foot-pump-operated sinks. The Rainbows encourage peaceful dialogue and communal gatherings. Their tented dining room in Mississippi – dubbed "The Waveland Cafe" – is an example. "It was good to see the police and the firefighters sit down with people from the community," says Mr. Chavez. Since 1972, Rainbow "tribes" around the country have gathered during the first week of July for prayer meetings and fellowship at various national parks. "We try to be the true ideal of a hippie," Mr. Rawski says. That ideal includes freedom from material values and a "9-to-5 job.' " Mr. Chavez rejects any perception that Rainbows practice "free love." "We are not here to fornicate. We are God-loving people," he says. "We are here to serve." Near the entrance to the park, the Louisiana state flag hangs next to a rainbow flag of equal size. They are strung together between two crape myrtles. A kitchen wish list is taped across a tree, near the buffet serving tables. "I'm very impressed by the whole situation here," says Gwendolyn Ciniard, 55, a New Orleans painter who sells her works on Bourbon Street. "I had the chicken and rice and squash and apple. It was good. The pasta I wasn't too happy about." She politely adds that New Orleanians are Epicurean critics, then sighs wearily. "In times like these, it's great to have a little sense of community." MONA REEDER/DMN Nobody speaks for the Rainbows, the Rainbow Web site says, including Twilha Deer, whose pantomime and religious dancing provide entertainment outside her group's dining hall for hurricane victims in Waveland, Miss. The Rainbows are feeding folks in New Orleans as well. Allen Johnson Jr. is a freelance writer based in New Orleans.
THANK YOU ALL OF THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO WERE ABLE TO GET TO THE DEVASTATED SITES. WE HAVE PRAYED FOR YOU, AND YOU ARE BLESSED. FEEDING ANY WHO ARE HUNGRY IS SAINTLY. YOU ARE ALL ANGELS. AND BE CAREFUL, OF THE TOXIC SITES. GOD LOVES YOU ALL. LINDA lindasafley@hotmail.com
Hey brothers and sisters, this made me proud and I hope all involved are proud of themselves. I live in the north of england and am therfore pretty cut off from even the rainbows that are over here. It's wonderful to hear that our family on the other side of the great pond are doing there bit. Peace
what a wonderful thing to see and know about. When even the federal government decided they couldn't help, the Rainbow people did what they do best. Amen to them! To everyone that helped: You are some of the most righteous and wonderful people I've ever heard of. I wish I could join you, or at least hug each and every one of you.
Isolated communities in the south of England represented. The tents below, used as the East Hancock Volunteer Fire Department's firehouse, were donated by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard. We had another one for our CALM supplies. The Union Jack is on another face of the tent.
hey wanderingturnup, i've actually been looking for any press on the waveland cafe... you guys are amazing!
