2007 gathering news articles here.

In Ark., Forest Service trying new approach with Rainbow Family

Thursday, June 28, 2007 5:50 PM CDT

FALLSVILLE, Ark. - The U.S. Forest Service has waived its permit requirement and is trying a new approach this year to protect the woods as thousands meet for an annual Rainbow Family gathering in the Ozark National Forest of north Arkansas.



The gathering, with roots in the hippie era, draws thousands from around the country to a national forest site each year to pray for peace and celebrate love. The group traditionally does not comply with the permit requirement and, in years past, has been at loggerheads with the federal agency.

Denise Ottaviano, information officer with an agency team created in 1998 to deal with the gatherings, said Thursday that, rather than require a permit, team members developed a plan to address how to best protect the forest and ensure safety at this year's July 1-7 gathering.

Ottaviano said some Rainbow Family members worked with the agency to come up with the plan, and it has been in place on a trial basis this week as many arrive to set up campsites and outdoor kitchens for the event.

"This is the first time we've tried this approach," she said. "There is no other group that ever tries to use the national forest land that doesn't want to get a permit. Other groups work with us. This is the only group that challenges us to make them get a permit."

The plan includes such detail as distances between campsites and water sources, and sensitive areas to avoid. The Forest Service also has workers who monitor the wildlife for any damage from overexposure to people.

"The Rainbow Family is making an effort to comply with our Forest Service regulations and trying not to make an impact on the land," she said. "For the most part, they are complying and there's not too much confrontation."

About 3,000 people had arrived for the gathering as of Thursday, Newton County Sheriff Keith Slape said. About 50 federal or state wildlife officers and county deputies were patrolling the event. Slape said nearly 30 arrests had been made on various charges, including drugs, alcohol, outstanding warrants, and disorderly conduct.

With a seven-officer force to cover a county of 8,800 residents, the sheriff said his deputies will do what they can to assist federal and state officers at the peak of the gathering around July 4, when he expects about 7,000 people will be camping in the forest.

"Basically we've got a small town there. It's functioning like a small town," the sheriff said.

The sheriff said he had about eight inmates more than his 100-year-old jail could hold Thursday and neighboring Johnson County told him it couldn't help out because the jail there was full, too.

"Our resources (are) diminished," he said. "We didn't have much to start with."

Ottaviano said one concern was the congested traffic on the forest roads. She said the vehicles make it difficult to get in and out of the forest and she urged the public to avoid the site during the gathering.

"It's real muddy. People are getting stuck," she said.

The closest community is Fallsville, about two miles away.

A service of the Associated Press(AP)

 

This is posted on a local bloggers site at http://jeremiasx.wordpress.com/

Rainbow Gathering 2007: Further Commentary
June 28th, 2007 at 4:18 pm

So what do you get when you gather a couple thousand people in the forest for the promotion of world peace? A pretty good time so far, that’s the word from the “regs” attending the “national” gathering of the Rainbow Family of Love and Light.

Other than the usual delays in getting set up for the event which have largely come in the form of undue police harassment and inclement weather, things seem to be going pretty good down there. In my time at the gathering I didn’t witness anything negative happening at all, as a matter of fact. I would have liked to have seen more tarps up by the time a torrential downpour sent my family scrambling for cover to “Kiddie Village.” We DID find shelter and fire and plenty of friendly folks, though. Nice people, indeed.

I suppose it vexes the imaginations of those who sit in a nine-to-five routine to try to comprehend the lifestyle that most of these people lead. Many of them have no permanent residence, they don’t participate in the credit culture (system), and they don’t aspire to be the world’s next millionaire. Some might label that as giving up but sometimes I wonder if it’s not good plain sense. We certainly seem to live in a world gone mad. Why not just drop it all and head for the hills? LOL

Rainbow Family members come from all walks of life and various socio-economic backgrounds, but the one thing I’ve found that they all have is a consensus that peace, not war, is the way to human evolution (seems to make sense, we can’t very well evolve if we’re all dead) and that there is another way of living this time we’ve been given on Earth which I have found to be quite fascinating.

The regs don’t really deal with money that much. They mainly barter, just like in the “good ole days.” But like any person who actually had to haul cartons of eggs down to the general store to get dry goods will tell you, it’s really not all it’s cracked up to be if your main concern is CONVENIENCE. I feel that most folks in this country are obsessed by the concept of convenience, so bartering doesn’t work for most people. It’s just easier all the way around to throw out stuff you bought and don’t like in a yard sale and take the old credit card up to the Wal-Mart and buy new schtuff. Fabulous.

Have there been reports of malfeasance on the part of individuals who have come to the gathering? Sure…about 198 of them (violations), according to the last figures I saw. Are these offenses “serious” or not? I suppose if you think it’s worth the taxpayers money to house hundreds of extra law enforcement officers at a Best Western (roughly 40 miles from the gathering, at the SUV rate of fuel consumption that works out to about twenty bucks a day per vehicle, just for SHUTTLING the LEO’s out there…) to issue a couple hundred tickets for minor drug charges, unlawful parking, on a forest road, and using park services without a permit…do you see what I’m getting at here?

Do we really need to have the Forest Service spending what will certainly be tens of thousands of dollars to prevent these terrible “crimes?” Is that reasonable, or logical in any way? Need I remind you that while they were busy covering this Rainbow event that a campground host at the Buffalo National Forest DIED AND WAS NOT FOUND (IN HIS RV, AT THE CAMPSITE) FOR A WEEK by park officials who were too busy checking if people had “all four wheels fully off the forest service road when they parked.” I haven’t seen this story in the MSM yet. Maybe someone will talk about it.

There have been limited (extremely limited) reports of theft from local businesses, but I’m going to wager they will make their money back and more from the money being pumped in from all sides of this issue. The LEO’s need gas and supplies. So do the Rainbows. Money is being made here in the county…bottom line. Keep in mind, that besides the tourism and forestry industry there is virtually no other “industry” here at all. I’m surprised we didn’t put up a welcome sign at the front gates for these folks. We need their money to boost our economy, undoubtedly.

The Rainbow Family still thrives after nearly 40 years of protest, and hearkens back to the anti-war and counterculture movement of the 60s, of which it is the natural progression…many of you remember those glory days. I don’t. My mother was a hippie, though, and she spoke consistently throughout her life on behalf of the ideals of world peace and brotherly love throughout her life. I say that she was a Rainbow at heart. Perhaps I am as well?

 

Dumb question: Who is Mark Rey?

 

Along, what's the source, please? AP wire?

 

Undersesretary of Agriculture, probably one of several Undersecretaries of Agriculture. Perhaps you should google all over him, and let us know if he has a more complete job title?

 

http://www.fs.fed.us/oonf/ozark/news/documents/news_release_062607.pdf


Contact: Denise Ottaviano, National Incident Management Team-Information Officer 505-259-2290
Attendance Reaches 2,000 at Rainbow Gathering Near Fallsville
Fort Smith, AR (June 26, 2007) – There are now approximately 2,000 people camping on the Big
Piney Ranger District of the Ozark National Forest just north of Fallsville for the Rainbow Family’s National
Gathering. Individuals from all over the country and all walks of life attend the annual event on a different
national forest every year. Their gathering culminates on July 4th with a large prayer circle for peace.
A Forest Service National Incident Management Team (NIMT), in coordination with local Forest
Service personnel, have developed an operating plan for the gathering site that addresses resource impacts,
health and safety issues, and site rehabilitation. Gathering participants are working with the Forest Service to
comply with the terms of the plan and Forest Service resource specialists are monitoring the site daily. A
group of gathering participants usually stays behind to work with the Forest Service on site rehabilitation.
During past gatherings, natural resource violations have occurred as well as numerous criminal acts.
So far this year, 198 violation notices have been issued to Rainbow Gathering participants, mostly for drug
and alcohol related offenses and traffic and vehicle violations. In addition, 22 arrests have been made for
various offenses including drugs, interference with law enforcement officers and outstanding warrants.
Officers from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas State
Police and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are providing valuable assistance to the Forest Service in
patrolling the area in and around the Rainbow Gathering. The Forest Service is committed to providing for
the safety of gathering participants and the public.
#
National Incident Management Team
U.S. Forest Service
Incident Command Post
700 Rogers Avenue
Fort Smith, AR 72901

 

Court set for Family
By JEFF DEZORT, Newton County Times - jeffd@commpub.com
06/29/2007

DEER - James Marcschewski, a federal magistrate from Fort Smith, will set up court in the Deer Work Center later this week to hear criminal cases involving law breakers attending the National Rainbow Family Gathering in the Ozark National Forest east of nearby Fallsville.

DEER - James Marcschewski, a federal magistrate from Fort Smith, will set up court in the Deer Work Center later this week to hear criminal cases involving law breakers attending the National Rainbow Family Gathering in the Ozark National Forest east of nearby Fallsville.
The announcement was made Wednesday morning during a Unified Command Meeting with local law enforcement and community leaders conducted by officials with the U.S.D.A. Forest Service. The meeting was held from 10 - noon in the cafeteria of the Deer public school.
Forest Service personnel with its National Incident Management Team (NIMT) arrived in the county last week as Rainbow Family members started gathering for the Wednesday, July 4, congregation.
Don Palmer, NIMT planning section chief from the Monongahela National Forest in Elkins, W.Va., commented that this is expected to be one of the smallest gatherings in the group's history.
Many of the NIMT members said this is the fourth gathering they have policed. They said their main focus is public safety.
A number of federal and local arrests have already been made as the number of Rainbow Family members arriving in the area continues to climb.
U.S. marshals and attorneys called into the county to assist the NIMT have made arrangements to use the Forest Service's maintenance compound at Deer as a temporary courthouse. The property is fenced to provide security and the office will be converted into a courtroom to be presided over by Magistrate Judge Marcschewski beginning at 1 p.m. Friday. Other sessions already scheduled are for 1 p.m. on Monday, July 2; Tuesday, July 3; and Thursday, July 5. Marshals said federal prisoners are being housed in Fort Smith.
So far, marshals estimate 60 defendants will be processed Friday on all charges. This is being done as a convenience to them as most live in other states.
Newton County Sheriff Keith Slape said his department had made 22 arrests as of Wednesday morning. He said his deputies have seized illegal drugs including LSD and marijuana. Some felony charges have been filed, but most are misdemeanors such as public intoxication. There have been complaints of trespassing and some incidents involving the store at Fallsville. Newton County District Judge Tommy Martin has already held two sessions of district court this week to process the flood of defendants.
Denise Ottaviano, NIMT communications director, said there have been about 230 "violation notices" issued to Rainbow Family members. She said violation notices are citations that don't require incarceration, but do require court appearance.
She also said this morning that there have been about 30 arrests which did require incarceration of some kind.
Slape said defendants can post bond and be released, but many are without money and are being sentenced to perform community service. He said many of the inmates have been at work cleaning around community buildings, cemeteries, Bradley Park in Jasper and along highways.
Lt. Kevin Thomas, chief enforcement officer in Newton County for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, said the agency has sent more personnel into the area to help with enforcement and to help with security during the 10th annual Buffalo National River Elk Festival on Friday and Saturday in downtown Jasper. He noted 26 officers are scheduled to work three 12-hour shifts.
Arkansas State Police Troop I Commander G.B. Harp of Harrison said his troopers are also on alert. He noted, however, that he doesn't have vehicles that can operate in the forest terrain and that they are limited to operating on highways surrounding the area. Troopers will also be assigned to the elk festival.
A Unified Command Incident Summary will be available to communities following the gathering, which will begin to disperse after the July 4 community prayer service.
So far reports have been received of one person suffering from a broken hand, one person was taken to North Arkansas Regional Medical Center for treatment of a copperhead snake bite, one person was treated for a brown recluse spider bite and many more people have complained of ticks, chiggers and poison ivy, officials said.
The Rainbow Gathering reportedly provides its own first aid clinic, but they reportedly are inadequately staffed with trained personnel.
A clearing has been made nearby for a helicopter landing area.
The Forest Service's other concern is the impact so many people will leave on the forest in the way of trash and scarring.
Harrison Daily Times 2007

 

Big Rainbow influx ahead
By JAMES L. WHITE, Times Staff jamesw@commpub.com
06/29/2007

FALLSVILLE - Officials report about 3,000 members of the Rainbow Family of Light had by this morning arrived for the annual gathering, held this year in the Ozark National Forest.

FALLSVILLE - Officials report about 3,000 members of the Rainbow Family of Light had by this morning arrived for the annual gathering, held this year in the Ozark National Forest.
But the gathering isn't really set to begin until Sunday, July 1, so there may be a lot more people coming through the area over the next few days.
U.S. Forest Service information officer Denise Ottaviano said Rainbow Family Gatherings often attract from 10,000 to 25,000 people, but a Family member told the Daily Times that he doesn't expect more than 7,000 for this year's event.
Ottaviano said location for the yearly gathering varies from national parks in the east and west part of the country and attendance is lowest in the east. Arkansas is considered east.
The official gathering is set for July 1-7, with the biggest prayer circle for peace on July 4. That day will see the largest number of people in the forest, but Ottaviano said to expect to see quite a bit of activity in the days leading up to Sunday.
"There's going to be a lot of people coming in this weekend, then on Monday and Tuesday," Ottaviano said.
Following the main prayer circle, Ottaviano said there will most likely be people leaving "in mass quantities" on July 5, which could cause road congestion.
She said some stores could be impacted as well with the mass exodus of individuals who could loiter and panhandle as well.
Some of the Family will remain behind to help with clean up and restoration of the forest, she added.
Rumors of varied illegal Rainbow Family activity have been flying, but Ottaviano said many of those are simply rumors.
It was said that Rainbows went into the store at Fallsville and helped themselves to merchandise without paying.
"That is not true," store owner/operator Toni Lippe told the Daily Times.
Ottaviano said she had visited with store owners along Highway 21 and none of them have reported problems.
Still, Ottaviano said there could be some confrontations with local residents who don't understand the Rainbows.
"It's a very diverse group," Ottaviano said.

Harrison Daily Times 2007

 

I'm out of here - my rides coming and were heading Home. Peace, Love, Namaste to all!!!!

Mark
alongyourpath

 

Best line:
"She said one woman was complaining that she didn't dare carry her customary cooler of beer in her pickup to drink while she was driving because she was afraid of getting stopped. And she could no longer let her 5-year-old daughter ride in the bed of the truck."

Sounds like we are already making a positive impact on the area. Jesus f'ing Christ!

 

check out this local bloggers site at http://jeremiasx.wordpress.com/ Alongyourpath posted one of this local bro's blogs up in post #42 but there is another blog that has his own comments set into this article...quite an entertaining read (and I didn't post it cuz I figure the bro will appreciate the extra hits on his blog site)

 

New article from The Harrison Daily Times:


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3,500 at Rainbow gathering
By JAMES L. WHITE, Times Staff jamesw@commpub.com
07/02/2007



FALLSVILLE - U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officers have set up a roadblock about a mile and a half from Highway 21 on the forest road leading to the main Rainbow Family Gathering due to heavy rain and vehicle traffic, officials said.

And Denise Ottaviano, Forest Service spokesman, said cars are parked all along the three-mile road leading to the Buffal River headwaters back to Highway 21.
As of Sunday, Ottaviano said, an estimated 3,500 peole had arrived at the gathering, but she said this morning she is sure there are more people there now.
"It's nothing but a big mass of vehicles and people on that road," Ottaviano siad.
The roadblock, she said, was necessary to keep emergency traffic lanes open. They have issued passes for vehicles to bring in supplies or to shuttle people to the site to ease congestion.
Heavy weekend rains also have caused problems, most notably muddy conditions. She said a tow truck called in to pull out another stuck vehicle got stuck, too.
"It's just a mess," she said.
She also said there have been "more than one" report of Rainbow Family members getting gas at Clarksville and driving off without paying for it.
The Gathering is scheduled to culminate in a prayer circle for peace on July 4. They also expect a large exodus of people leaving on either July 5 or 6.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

and this one from courier news

http://www.couriernews.com/story.php?ID=15237
Monday, July 2, 2007
Member: Rainbow Family more than 'hippies'

Group strives for peace, love, harmony, common sharing, member says, as ‘family’ gathers this week north of Clarksville; Remote magistrate court set up for gathering visitors By Laura Eppes
Reporter
Contrary to popular belief from area communities, the Rainbow Family of Living Light Gathering is not a big drug party, for hedonism and play. It is a time to reflect on life, spirituality and to pray for peace.
The group is gathering from today to Saturday near Fallsville in Newton County north of Clarksville, with the event culminating Wednesday.
“The Rainbows believe in responsibility for what happens on this earth,” said Rainbow member Summer Breeze. “It is not for everyone. You must be very conscious to what you’re going to in primal areas [such as Fallsville].”
Breeze has been attending Rainbow gatherings for 10 years and now brings along her grandchildren. She said she is somewhat of an outsider because of her beliefs in Jesus Christ, although all religions are represented at gatherings. She said during a council meeting they as a whole figured out there were Jews, Christians, Mormons and American Indians present.
The event brings together all types of people, professionals to hipsters, she said.
Johnson County Sheriff Jimmy Dorney said he spoke with an electrical engineer who would be acting as an EMT during the event. He also said no one should be worried about violence, although there have been some instances of panhandling.
To put rumors to rest, two Clarksville grocery stores confirmed no Rainbow members had been putting their heads under sprinklers in the produce department to contaminate the food and get it out of the trash after the store threw it away. So far, that has not happened.
Dorney said Johnson County is working with Newton County Sheriff’s Department, stepping up patrols in the northern parts of Johnson County and in Newton County, especially on State Highway 21.
“We want the public to know who might be coming into the area,” he said. “We’re just trying to keep the peace in our neck of the woods.”
Denise Ottaviano with the U.S. Forest Service National Incident Management Team said her job is dealing specifically with noncommercial group events and working closely with the communities in which they are held. Her job is to help manage the impact of these types of events whether it be social or environmental. She said sometimes the population at gatherings can be more than the population of the entire county it is held in.
She said she has worked with the Rainbows for four years and while they do practice techniques that are “light on the land” there can still be devastating damage done, from compacted to eroded soil, impact on water, road degradation from heavy use and sanitation issues.
“There are Rainbows who stay behind each year and help rehabilitate the land,” she said. “For the most part, they are very good people.”
One year after a gathering in Colorado, she said there were trails everywhere with bare soil and that a beautiful meadow had been compacted down to bare soil. Before the Rainbows gathered there, it was a beautiful large green grassy meadow and after, it was a mess, she said, and not because of trash left behind. At minimum, she said it could take a few years to rehabilitate the land and in some cases many years.
Ottaviano said this year is “a very odd location” because there is no large meadow. Usually a location is chosen with a large meadow for the giant “ohhhmmmmm” prayer Wednesday. She added the group could not agree on where to hold the event.
One thing about the group that is changing is the age demographics of those who attend. Ottavioano said there are a lot more young people coming out who don’t really understand the purpose of the gathering. She said the older members are very peaceful and respectful.
“[The] young crowd comes out thinking it is a big party. They don’t understand what it is about,” she said. “There is a term the Rainbows created to describe those who don’t contribute to the Rainbow community. Drainbows — [they] drain everyone’s food [and] participate but don’t help.”
Breeze said the Rainbows are all about sharing all things in common. She said there are no written rules, no formal leader or organization. In general, the group stands up for its rights and beliefs. Members are very tribal and search for peace, love, acceptedness and unity.
Asked about drug abuse, Breeze said “yes,” some do smoke marijuana, but it is not something the group condones or promotes. The group actually discourages drug use, she said.
“There are some people who use marijuana as a sacrament,” she said. “ I’ve seen people change drastically, and seen people give up alcohol. Some come not to use but to stop using. I’m about as straight as you can be.”
She said the group helped an alcoholic man detox at a gathering a few years ago, and he has been sober for seven years now.
The gathering has so many different groups of people, there are villages set up for all kinds of various similar interests and causes. Kiddie Village, organized by an American Indian, Philipe, she said, is for all children. She said he is dedicated to keeping the children safe during the event.
There is also A-Camp for those who choose to bring alcohol to the event, but they are usually away from the others because they are drinking.
There is also C.A.L.M. camp or Center for Alternative Living Medicine, Breeze said, where there are registered nurses, emergency medical technicians, firefighters and first responders.
For the big “Ohhhhhhmmmmm” ceremony, Breeze said Wednesday there will be silence from dawn until about noon. Then, all participants at the gathering will hold hands and pray “Ohhhhmmmmmmm,” because it is a universal language, she said. Various adults and volunteers will then gather the children who will parade into the middle of the circle dressed in costumes, each expressing themselves in any way they choose. She said the prayer will get louder and softer, then a silence will come. She said the prayer could last five minutes or five hours, depending on the amount of energy the group is feeling. The children are the ones who break the silence, she said.
“[The children’s parade] signifies the promise for the future,” she said. “Our world needs healing and that’s what we’re about.”
Remote magistrate court set up
The U.S. Forest Service has issued 230 violations to Rainbow Gathering participants, mostly for traffic and vehicle violations and drug and alcohol offenses. In addition, 30 arrests have been made for various offenses including drugs, interference with law enforcement officers and outstanding warrants.
Ordinarily, the violators would have to wait months to have their day in court and many of them are from out-of-state. To give the violators the chance to process their tickets more rapidly, the Forest Service set up a remote U.S. Magistrate Court on June 29 at the Forest Service Center in Deer. U.S. Magistrate Judge James Marschewski for the Western District of Arkansas presided over court proceedings. The government did not seek jail time of the cases heard on June 29.
A total of 34 cases were heard. Most of the people in court chose to plead guilty or no contest and were assessed a fine. Fines ranged from $25 to $150 plus $35 in courts costs. Six trials were held, of which four resulted in a guilty verdict. The judge issued warrants for the 22 people who failed to show up in court.
Additional dates at the remote court site are scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Thursday to process more people who received violation notices.

 

Newton County’s hills chock-full of Rainbows

Counterculture group soaking up the peace

By Tracie Dungan (Contact)

• E-mail story
• Print story
• iPod friendly
The aroma of whole-grain pancakes, infused with nutmeg and almonds, wafts through a Rainbow Family kitchen as campers in this culinary “clan” toil over an outdoor stove top hand-fashioned from mud and stone.

“We’ll need three servers,” calls out Rebecca Johnston De La Garza. “Some of you guys can help serve syrup.”

Web Extra

Audio slideshow from the gathering


The Rainbows, as they’re sometimes called, are about to form a miniature version of their mammoth Fourth of July prayer circle. The blessing of their midday hotcake feast foreshadows the coming spiritual ceremony of their annual North American gathering.

 

hey theres a great slide show in with that audio link al posted,,..

i love it...

 

I see from the first video link that Grandpa Woodstock is in Arkansas... Rock on Grandpa !

 

i found that quote very interesting, especially as it's coming from the Forest Service spokesperson.

 

They had another slide show of midget wrestling. Interesting place.

 

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2007/07/05/ap-state-ar/d8q6tm482.txt

Antibiotics given to 43 after woman hospitalized with meningitis


Friday, July 6, 2007 1:55 AM CDT

FALLSVILLE, Ark. - A case of bacterial meningitis among the several thousand Rainbow Family visitors gathered in the Ozark National Forest prompted health officials to provide preventive doses of antibiotics to 43 people who had been in close contact with the hospitalized woman, authorities said.

Three nurses from the Arkansas Health Department were delayed a day in providing the antibiotics when the area where they visited Tuesday also turned out to be the site of a drug bust, said Denise Ottaviano, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service.

"There was an arrest that was being made, and there were some Rainbows that became disorderly and were interfering with that arrest and it was drawing attention to that area," Ottaviano said. "The nurses then were evacuated. If there is a potentially hostile situation or a dangerous situation, we don't want them to be there at all."

But the nurses returned on Wednesday to administer ciprofloxacin, known as "cipro."

"They were very nice to us the next day," said Dr. Joe Bates, the state agency's deputy health officer and a professor of epidemiology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. "They seemed appreciative."

The hospitalized woman, not identified by authorities, was diagnosed with Neisseria meningitis, an infection of the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord, Bates said.

He said symptoms begin with fever, headache, body aches, weakness and malaise, and if the disease progresses to the brain, it can result in a stiff neck and confusion, and might progress into delirium or coma.

"It generally moves pretty rapidly," he said, with the onset of more serious symptoms coming within 24 hours of the first, milder signs of the illness.

According to Bates, the organism that can infect others is spread from a carrier's throat when that person coughs, speaks, shares utensils or cigarettes, kisses someone, or shares close quarters, such as traveling in the same car or staying in the same room or tent.

"Most people don't carry the bacteria, and of the few who have it, most don't become ill from it," Bates said. "A carrier might spread it or not and might become ill or not, or the person could carry it for weeks before falling ill. It's just the few of the few that get sick."

He said there was nothing in particular that would make a Rainbow gathering a more likely place for the disease to crop up than other human contact.

Forest Service officials estimate that about 5,000 people gathered in the Ozark National Forest this year for the annual Rainbow Family get-together. The gathering, with roots in the hippie era, draws people from around the country to a national forest site each year to pray for peace and celebrate love.

 

Was it at Maine Snirkle afternoon of the 4th? I always miss all the good Gatherings.

 

Please note, nothing in the suit claims that a Gathering is Constitutionaly protected Peaceable Assembly. I believe I've heard the below mentioned "lack of agency relationship" thing expounded upon by Rainbow lawyers before, and if anything, it is the opposite of the 1st Ammedment arguement, i.e. "Thomas Jefferson signed for me", as Greenfeather put it in his '96(?) case. If I understand this correctly, and I need to talk to some folks before I can be certain of this, "lack of agency relationship" means nobody can sign for me, due to the structure , or lack thereof, of RFOLL. IMO. this is more compelling than the 1st Ammendment arguement. I don't think our annual Bacchanalia it what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they said "peaceable assembly".

Sorry for the boldface. Not trying to shout. 'puter seems to think my comments here are part of the headline.


http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/194671/


Rainbow sues over permit

BY MICHELLE BRADFORD

Posted on Tuesday, July 3, 2007

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A member of a counterculture group gathering by the thousands in the woods of Newton County has sued the U. S. Forest Service over a permit requirement the group has been bucking for years.

Tony Nenninger, 49, a longtime Rainbow Family member and a third-year law student at the University of Missouri at Columbia School of Law, sued the U. S. Forest Service on June 25 in U. S. District Court in Harrison.

His suit challenges a Forest Service requirement that a group of 75 or more who gather on Forest Service land for noncommercial use must sign for and obtain a free special use permit.

The suit also claims the Forest Service is conducting illegal traffic “check points” in Newton County and targeting Rainbow gatherers at a rural site near Fallsville.

Nenninger is one of thousands of Rainbows who are in Newton County for the 2007 North American Rainbow Gathering. They’ve been meeting every year around July 4 since 1972 to pray for world peace, discuss issues and demonstrate their views.

The gatherings, which are in a different state each year, are communal and usually last around a month. In Newton County, officials expect up to 10, 000 people.

Nenninger attended his first July 4 gathering in 1985 in the Mark Twain National Forest near his home in Crawford County, Mo., according to his suit.

He claims Rainbows have been harassed by law enforcement during gatherings over the years.

On Thursday, U. S. District Judge Jimm L. Hendren denied Nenninger’s request for an emergency restraining order against the Forest Service and for his request to be declared a pauper for the purpose of paying legal expenses.

Nenninger said in an affidavit that after paying court fees and for gas to drive to the Harrison courthouse to file the 60-page complaint, he has only $ 117 left in his bank account.

The suit asks for monetary damages. It claims Nenninger can’t comply with the permit requirement without abandoning a “central tenet of sincerely held religious beliefs.”

The requirement threatens the “lack of agency relationship” that Nenninger and the Rainbows view as a fundamental and necessary element of religious experience during their gatherings on national forest lands, the suit states.

Forest Service spokesman Denise Ottaviano said Monday she couldn’t comment on the suit. The Rainbows traditionally have refused to sign the permits, claiming they are not an organized group, according to the suit.

Over the years, Nenninger and other Rainbows have met with Forest Service officials to try to develop an alternative manner of regulation besides the permit rule. The suit states there’s been a continuing pattern of confrontation between law enforcement, the Forest Service and Rainbows ever since the Forest Service began enforcing the permit requirement in 1995.

Violating the requirement is punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $ 5, 000.

Rainbows have sued the Forest Service before over the permits and over traffic stops, according to The Associated Press and past newspaper articles.

A call Monday to Forest Service headquarters in Washington D. C. about the outcome and history of those suits wasn’t returned.

In his preliminary ruling Thursday in the case, Hendren wrote that federal appeals courts have rejected arguments similar to Nenninger’s regarding the Forest Service permits and over the traffic check points.

Nenninger claims the Forest Service is selectively targeting Rainbows by stopping their vehicles for prolonged periods along a steep, dangerous twomile gravel road.

The Forest Service said in a news release Monday that it has issued 230 violations to Rainbows, mostly related to traffic and vehicle and drug and alcohol-related offenses. The Forest Service set up a U. S. magistrate court at the Forest Service work center in Deer to handle the cases.