There And Back Again

[SucculentFlower]

--- In ColoradoRainbowFamily@yahoogroups.com, marty heartsong
<martyheartsong@...> wrote:
>
> Hey Pham. It's 2:30 am and I just got back. We won a major battle
today but the war is far from over. They set up a road block Monday
night about 7pm. No one allowed in, even if you already had a
ticket, And anyone coming out was issued one and not allowed back
in. Gigi was doing main gate and when they came in they confiscated
his radio. Within an hour we had about 20 cars and rigs backed up so
some of the people with kitchens in thier rigs started feeding the
pham. Then we started a bonfire and started drumming. A few kids
tried to sneak into the woods to go around the roadblock but there
was leo's hiding in the woods and they were quickly nabbed. the main
force of leo's left about 9pm after giving everyone in A-camp a
ticket and anyone else they could find.They had a generator and
flood lights at the road block but only left 4 leo's behind facing
about 100 hippies who were all in good spirits when I stepped into
the woods to answer nature's call and accidently found
> myself back in the gathering. Word quickly spread of family being
stranded outside the block with no gear ( a lot of us were making
supply runs when we got blocked out and all of our gear was inside)
and in the middle of the night about 30 blankets appeared from
nowhere out side the roadblock (thankyou ninja's). In the morning a
few of our younger family members put on war paint and decided to
try to get the supplies in that had been stranded all night. By then
the morning leo relief crew arrived and there was about 4-6 leo
vehicles and 6 to 8 giddyups( I was still inside the gathering at
the time but got to listen to it unfold via radio). By the time the
youngers got to the block (coming from behind) there was at least
60 -70 of them. And since people had been coming in all night long
there was almost 200 people in front of the blockade. As soon as the
bro's and sisters from inside the gathering arrived the cops started
to freak and started pulling out their guns,
> shotguns and assault rifles, no lie, no tear gas guns, no pepper
spray, machine guns pointed at the family. You wanna know how brave
your family is?? How much this family means to all of us??
approaching loaded pointed machine guns and twitchy trigger fingers
(the leo's were scared) they did the only thing they could do, they
started to "OM" and quickly joined hands and continued to march
towards the roadblock. The pham on the other side of the block
realized what was happening and they started om-ing joined hands and
approached the blockade from the other side. We are lucky no one got
shot. I heard later that the om circle was almost complete when the
giddyups busted through at a gallup and then all the leo vehicles
sped off with there sirens blazing and lights flashing. We could
hear the cheering over the radio's, it was awesome, but only
temporary. All the leo's left for awhile ( I think to lick their
wounds and regroup) But a 1\2 dozen vehicles came back at dusk and
> harrased and few of our elders (they're still trying to find
someone to sign thier damn permit). When I left it seemed like they
set up a smaller roadblock and they were arresting somebody so I got
out without being hassled. But on the drive down to steamboat I
passed three leo's with lights and sirens heading back to the site
(I think I passed a few more that didn't have teir lights on but I
can't be sure. Anyway the seige is still on till someone signs and
so far no one will. Will post more tommorow if I can, it's late,
3:30am got to go to sleep now.........................love &
peace..........sleepy
>

[soaringeagle]

theyre ha been alotta reports of rocks & sicks being thrown at the police & its wonderful to hear its exactly what i'd expect from rainbow, srrounding them with love & open arms & a hearty om
i guess the om was the threat they were talking about?
can you cnfirm that no rocks or sticks were thrown?
people with vidcams bring em!!1 we need documentation

[shaina]

thank you for the news coming from a rainbow and not a reporter

[hippiestead]

Yes, thank you for posting that; They got guns but we've got drums plus the most powerful 'weapons' of all Love & the OM!!!

[SucculentFlower]

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS - Members of the Rainbow Family of Living Light say they are being unfairly targeted by law enforcement officers monitoring their campsite in Big Red Park in North Routt County.

A confrontation between the two sides reached a boiling point Tuesday when Rainbow gatherers allegedly threw sticks and rocks at U.S. Forest Service officers stationed at a checkpoint near the campsite. Rainbow Family members say the officers drew their weapons and threatened to shoot gatherers' pets during the hour-long incident.

"I had a shotgun or AK (semi-automatic weapon) pointed at my chest. (The officers) kept saying, 'We're going to shoot your (expletive) dog.' They made this woman cry - she was shaking," said Lobo, a Rainbow Family member.

"They tried to trample us with their horses, and all we did was have our arms up in peace," he said. "I even pulled my pants down - which was probably indecent exposure - to show them I didn't have anything on me. We're here with love and peace."

Denise Ottaviano, a U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman, confirmed that officers drew their weapons, but she said they did so only because the group was threatening officers and throwing objects at them.

"These officers were surrounded by a hostile group of about 200 people. Some of our officers did take out their guns, but they put them away and left," she said.

The incident began after Forest Service officers began issuing citations to group members for not having a special use permit to camp on the national forest land. Officers also warned people attempting to enter the gathering site that they also would receive citations.

The incident ended when the officers abandoned the checkpoint. Ottaviano said there were no further incidents Tuesday night or Wednesday.

Officers are issuing citations because the Forest Service requires that groups of 75 or more people sign a free special-use permit to camp on forest land.

But Teryani, a Rainbow Family member, said law enforcement officers don't understand that no single person can sign the permit because there are no official event organizers or leaders of the Rainbow Family.

"There is no hierarchy here. There is not one single person here to take responsibility for us. Part of our spiritual commitment to being here is that we are all equal," said Teryani, who like most Rainbow Family members goes by only one name.

"There really is a rationale behind it. It's not just hippy-dippy stuff, or 'Let's screw the cops,'" she said. "We cannot and will not have any one person sign anything for us."

Regardless, Ottaviano said the group members are not above the law and will continue to be cited for any violations.

Kelly, another Rainbow Family member, said the citations are ridiculous.

"I've been here since Saturday, and I've already received three (citations). Look, I'm sick of being harassed. Just because I'm in the middle of the woods with a group of people doesn't mean I don't have a job, that I don't have a family and that I don't contribute to society," she said.

Ottaviano said the Forest Service officers have issued about 100 citations to members since officers started handing out the citations Monday. Officers also have made several arrests, although Ottaviano did not know exactly how many members had been arrested.

GG, a Rainbow Family elder who said he was given the first citation, said he has been "scared" since Monday.

"All they had to do was get a bullhorn and say 'We've got guns.' They shouldn't have pulled out their guns, that's not kosher, man," he said. "They just went haywire."



This story first appeared in the Steamboat Pilot & Today.



Vail Daily, Vail, Colorado

[SucculentFlower]

This letter is a joint effort.Also it contains stuff written from
Monday June 19-Thursday, June 22.



road now blocked in and out, hive disturbed ,food being carried in thru
woods by us from supply trucks,cops also carried in some of our food
for us go figure.need lawyer on site.likely that local law officers
could be friendly
(Thursday. Yesterday a guy said one of the attorneys who does some work
for the Rainbow Family had given him the name of a "friendly local
attorney".)

The roadblock went up Sunday by whinos (only one visible whino camp
so far!!) and the old Bus Village(the original Bus Village didn't
work,too many good large spots farther in). A large Drum Circle formed by the
roadblock. Monday morning the people on the site who were up early
agreed to waken the camp and go to the roadblock after breakfast. It's
about 10 AM and breakfast is being cooked.

The roadblock came down a couple hours ago. It's about 12:30 and Shut
Up And Eat It Kitchen is serving burritos.

The people who put the Circle around the roadblock were the ones who
didn't wait for breakfast.

Very few weaned puppies are available for adoption.

People have been given tickets. Some people have court dates for Friday
the 23rd,same day as a meeting with the locals. The Fudds already had a
(bogus,we weren't there) town meeting. Kelly Crosby, local "gov't"
employee from 04CAL spoke honestly of us,as quoted in the local
"newspaper". The Fudds published the name of one of their overt disinformation
agents again this time.

A Circle was formed around the LEOs. At one point some LEOs pointed
some fancy army guns at the Circle, fingers on triggers. Some Fudds wanted
to shoot. The Fudds said people had hit them with sticks and
stones,which is a lie. The video is going online someplace. No injuries. No
shigella spray like 87NC. Sorry, Madam LaFarge.

We're getting some nice dark cool clouds here. Could rain. Lotsa hacky
sackings,bike ridings,frisbee throwings, etc;

It's about 4:00(Monday) and there is said to be a roadblock at
Columbine.

It's about 5 PM and some people who just came in said there was no
roadblock.

If you're bringing supplies,we seem to be low on produce.

If you had lunch with your attorney and you were advised to plead
guilty would that be spit plea soup?

It's 7:15 PM and 5 LEO vehicles,one a canine unit, just went inbound
past whinos.

8:15 PM 5 LEO cars just went out past whinos.

8:25 PM Roadblock is up on top of first hill outside of whinos.

There is a perfect spot for a full-out Welcome Home kitchen on the flat
top of the knoll on your left right after the bridge. Nice view.

There are birds from giuge cranes and bald eagles down to quite a few
hummingbirds of different kinds. The red-tailed hawks are larger than
they are some places. One just buzzed us. The hummingbirds seem to have
thinned out some in the last 12 days. Maybe they were only pausing
(hummingbirds? pausing?) enroute someplace upnorth waiting for snow to melt.
There's hardly any snow left here. Plenty enough to make ice cream.
There is still snow at the Yoga Camp. Bear droppings were found on site.
Some folks are camping at 9400 feet on the ridge with a glorious view of
snowy mountains. MTV says this is the place to be this summer. The
crick is full of big brookies. Children under 14 can fish legally without a
license if a licensed person is with them.

We are somewhat handicapped by bogarting of connectivity and info.

Great bicycle site. Lotsa osha.

Lotsa family got citations to include Raven, Rob,Badger,Buffalo and
other folks who are normally targeted. Court tomorrow June 23rd.

Summer Breeze approached four times by Leos about signing a permit. I
refused. Not ticketed yet. Spoke to Tim Lynn yesterday. I asked if I
would get a ticket this year. He replied, "Probably."

Summer informed Tim that I am registered as a legal observer. He said
"no matter". Raven signed up as a legal observer with PCU Free Assembly
and got a ticket.

Fire personnel, two resource folks, walked through about two hours ago
about two o clock Friday. Rob, Stone and some CALM people spoke to them
about fire, health and safety.

Heard talk on the radio about a brief fire that burned maybe 20 feet,
was quickly contained. Some family involved in putting out the minor
fire, have volunteered to show the LEOs on giddy up where the fire
occurred for their report. Leos headed back toward Lovin Ovens and tea Kitchen
above there to investigate the fire. Went by way of stream or road
thereby. [Summer Breeze went across road into woods to avoid a ticket.}


Heard about a road block about one half to three quuarter miles from
main trail head.

Information From Rob who spoke to the permit administrator...there is
an existing permit holder so any applications for a permit for this
existing Colorado site will be denied. A question here, why ask us to apply
for a permit then?

Rob Savoye was bum rushed by Leos on the way in June 22, 2006, cited
for no permit and possession of some invisible, microscopic pot on his
car seat found during a search. Rob was informed that he cannot erect his
tower without a permit.

Love, Foxfire
Love, Summer Breeze

[SucculentFlower]

> Howdy family.
>
> I've been on-site for 3 days now. Yes, the forest service is issuing
> tickets for all who drive through. They set up a first "informational"
> road block to let you know that you will be in violation and that it is
> illegal to pass that point. A ways up, there's a second road block
> issuing the tickets. I just got through with kangaroo court today.
> Usual bs...sitting there for 8 hours in the sun, no water provided. A
> lovely episcopal preacher dropped off ice cream for everyone :)
>
> Pleading No Contest gets you a $125 fine and you have to leave the
> gathering w/in 24hrs or you're subject to another ticket, which "the
> judge will not be as lenient on". Some people are pleading Not Guilty
> and either receiving the fine, or a fine plus one year and one day
> restriction from national forest.
>
> There is no local (colorado) forest service presence that I have seen.
>
> The permit is supposedly denied because there are already permits for
> this site by loggers--many trees are marked. Also, the negative press
> and thought that those who broke through the first road block with
> sticks and stone-throwing (still can't get a definitive answer if this
> actually happened),. hurts the approval of this site.
>
> Personally, I'll obey my orders and leave after 24 hrs. I can't risk a
> larger fine or arrest, and have a hard time avoiding leos as I plug in
> to CALM and am also in and out often for work. Hopefully, I'll get to
> come back if road blocks stop ticketing and if there are enough people
> coming through that they are overwhelmed.
>
> The site is very beautiful, although parking is not that great (no
> really big meadow for it). Elevation is around 8800 feet, so it might
> take some getting used to...
>
> Lovin you,
>
> MaryBeth

[soaringeagle]

anyone got a plane & wanna parachute in? or better yet a hot air baloon?
the more we overwhelm the court with tickets the more likely they'll be to take the cases in groups instead of 1 by 1 & just issue a lil bs fine & virtual permission to jusy do what we do
ca ya imagine 8000 cases being heard at this ,makeshift court in a barn?
they dont wannadeal with that kindamess

[WanderingturnupII]

The roadblock went up Sunday by whinos (only one visible whino camp
so far!!)
Whinos? WAAAAH! We broke the law right in front of the cops, and got a ticket for it, and tried to plead "Not Guilty" on the basis of some nutso legal theory, and the magistrate laughed in my face, and now I can't go back to the forest for a year and a day. WAAAAH! HeeHee. Whinos.

Oops, sorry about that. I'm in the Whino's side, really I am. Hot Wind, please give all the whinos a hearty "Fuck You" from me, and has The RV made it yet? Or the Old Man's ashes?

[free2fly]

Can anyone give an estimate of how many are there on site now?

[Gyva02]

out of all the articles I've read 2000 is the largest I've seen printed as of now... any truth to it, I dunno.....


Mike...

[free2fly]

ah ok, thanks!

Yep, 2,000 or more (as of June 22) ... is what its also saying here on one of these FS news articles Im readin at the moment.. http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/mbr/news/2006/rainbow.shtml

[soaringeagle]

fs estimates are always very low, if they say 2000 my guess is 6-8000 ..people do seem to be waiting in the wings to see how things go , or are waiting for the flood in to begin..but we need them home now, just like i need to be home asap..
the flood begins soon as ya get yourself there
by wed i expectthere to be over 10,000 & 15-17 by the 1st
get on home folks..dont worry but the rumors..dont worry bout a thing in fact..the gatherings on & going strong..i had a call from a really good freind on site last night, & its all possitive, the vibes strong & good, the gatherings going wonderfuly, just she thought it should be bigger by now..& i agree since all indications ive felt were that this could be 1 of the biggest, even bigger then cali..so have no fear..& get on home now
let really make this 1 of the biggest & best ever