I attended the 2025 National Gathering in Missouri and while I had a good time I was concerned about the size of the crowd. It was estimated at just over 1,000 attendees, small for a national gathering. Other ones I've been to reached as many as 13,000. I've mulled over what the causes could be. I'm sure police harassment plays a part, they were constantly patrolling through in their cars and on foot. Shouts of "Six Up!" were common. I can't see it as a sign of the times, the Rainbow Family represents counter culture, and these days with Trump in office the counter culture is huge and strong. Any ideas on what could be causing the decline in attendance?
The Rainbow has had its own ups and downs over the years, and the national gathering was busted in California. However, my Rainbow Warrior poetry is the shot in the arm the Rainbow needs. It is the first scientific evidence that language itself is self-organizing, as is everything in existence.
