cannabisnews.com: Standoff Near Vandalia
Standoff Near Vandalia
Posted by FoM on September 01, 2001 at 09:34:35 PT
By Jim Meenan, Tribune Staff Writer
Source: South Bend Tribune
Tom Crosslin had a court date he apparently just didn't want to keep Friday. The 47-year-old owner of Rainbow Farm Campground was charged last May on criminal counts of manufacturing marijuana, maintaining a drug house and felony firearms following a two-year investigation into claims of illegal drug activities on his 34-acre property. And Rainbow Farm had been shut down twice this year by authorities, including for Labor Day weekend, through a civil suit claiming alleged drug use at the campground's gatherings constituted violation of Michigan's Public Nuisance Abatement Act.
On Friday, Crosslin was facing a $150,000 bond revocation hearing in Cass County District Court because police believed he had violated terms of his bond and was involved in illegal drug activities.But he failed to show up in Cassopolis. And the Cass County Sheriff's Department received a fire call about the property at 59896 Pemberton Road about 12:15 p.m. EDT, Sheriff Joseph Underwood said.The caller told authorities that the property owner didn't want anyone on his property.Police immediately discovered it was Rainbow Farm Campground, and that it was Tom Crosslin.Crosslin or someone on the premises, burned a couple buildings at Rainbow Farm to the ground Friday afternoon, the sheriff said. And Crosslin or someone there fired off 20 rounds of ammunition, hitting a helicopter operated by WNDU-TV, Channel 16, South Bend.No one was injured. And no other neighboring structures were harmed Friday at the campground, located near Kirk Lake in Newberg Township northeast of Vandalia.But six nearby residences were evacuated as a precautionary measure, and Crosslin and several others remained holed up on Rainbow Farm late Friday night.Crosslin's mother and brother sought to talk him into surrendering to authorities Friday evening, but that apparently failed, said Sgt. Doug Westrick of the Cass County Sheriff's Department."I assume he's upset about the court hearing," Underwood said. "Everything's a concern right now."Underwood's assumption was the same many shared as they awaited what they hoped would be a peaceful resolution to the armed standoff.His sister arrived about 9 p.m. EDT, but was unable to talk to him police said, because Crosslin advised them if anyone drove toward the farm after dark he would shoot."I can't talk to him. ... (But I do know) he was very angry with the government, and the way they have done things," said Shirley DeWeese, of Elkhart."I just hope he remains cool and calm; he just wants to be left alone. He doesn't want all the violence. ... We're hoping and praying for the best."Crosslin's nephew, John DeWeese, 24, of Elkhart, arrived on the scene Friday before dusk to show support for his uncle."They need to leave him alone," he said of Crosslin, adding that his uncle was "peaceful."One of John's friends, Johnny Muday, of Elkhart, was among those who drove out with him."He will come out when he's ready," Muday said of Crosslin. "I just think he wants to have a graceful exit. ... He's trying to buy time."Crosslin had reportedly told neighbors to leave their residences, noting that there would be "problems out there this weekend," Underwood said.Police had difficulty establishing contact with Crosslin, who was armed, police said.While Crosslin was only talking to a select few Friday, his Rainbow Farm Campground Web site at: http://www.rainbowfarmcamp.com -- said its share for him: "The Labor Day Weekend Camp-out has been called off. Bad government has intervened, once again, and closed Rainbow Farm Campground."Rainbow Farm had been shut down in May just before Hemp Aid 2001, a Memorial Day weekend event drawing hundreds to the campground and extolling the virtues of legalizing marijuana.Crosslin was among five people arrested in May by Michigan State Police, the Cass County Sheriff's Department and the Southwest Michigan Enforcement Team (SWET) in conjunction with the Cass County prosecutor's office after a two-year probe into illegal drug activity at Rainbow Farm.Others charged last May included Michael Royal, 37, of Defiance, Ohio; Aaron Brown, 22, of Allegan, Mich.; Andrew Rasmussen, 20, of Bay City, Mich.; James Schmidt, 29, of Lake Zurich, Ill.; and Rolland Rohm, of Vandalia. They were all charged on illegal drug-related counts.There were reports Friday that people were seen carrying guns on the campground property.However, police managed to touch base with Crosslin through a third party at 5 p.m. EDT, but it was a short-lived contact. Crosslin's mother and brother talked with him about a couple hours later without success in getting him to surrender.Authorities weren't taking any chances, blocking off Pemberton Road, nearby Black Street and any roads leading to Rainbow Farm, Westrick said. As far as the neighbors go, "we advised against" going to their homes, but it was an individual's decision.Mac Nelson of Jimtown has been out to Rainbow Farm about two dozen times, having camped out there. He came up from Indiana to support Crosslin, his family and friends."It's out of character for him," Nelson said of Crosslin.Note: Rainbow Farm owner upset with proceedings.Related Article: TV News Helicopter Hit by Gunfire By Jim Meenan and Gwen O'Brien, Tribune Staff Writer A helicopter operated by WNDU-TV, Channel 16, South Bend, apparently came too close for comfort at an armed standoff in Vandalia on Friday.As NewsChopper 16 approached Rainbow Farm Campground on Friday afternoon to check out an apparent fire, it came under fire from gunshots, authorities said.Rainbow Farm Campground owner Tom Crosslin or someone else on the site fired off 20 rounds of ammunition, hitting the helicopter.The WNDU-TV helicopter was following up a Cass County Sheriff's Department report about a fire at 59896 Pemberton Road about 12:15 p.m. EDT, Sheriff Joseph Underwood said. A caller told authorities that the property owner didn't want anyone on his property.The station had sent a photographer, Eric Walton, and a pilot, Rich Voght, to survey the scene."Police called the station and told us that rounds were being fired at our helicopter," said Ellen Crooke, WNDU-TV News Director. "We pulled back several miles and continued to take pictures."About 45 minutes later the pilot landed at South Bend Regional Airport to refuel and he discovered a hole in the helicopter's horizontal stabilizer. There were no injuries to either the pilot or photographer."We called police before we went to the scene, like we always do, to tell them we were going to fly over and to make sure it was safe. They told us it was," said Crooke. "I think they (police) thought this was just a fire."Crooke said authorities told her they will forward this particular shooting incident to the Federal Bureau of Investigation because they said it is a federal offense to shoot at aircraft.The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating the incident, authorities said.The helicopter was patched up, and put back into operation on Friday night to help photograph high school football games, WNDU-TV officials said. About Rainbow Farm Rainbow Farm Campground advertises itself as "an alternative campground and concert arena." The 34-acre campground at 59896 Pemberton Road near Kirk Lake in Newberg Township northeast of Vandalia operates the campground, The Joint Coffee Bar, The Rainbow Farm General Store and Hemp Gift Store & Smoke World. Its two biggest weekends before this year were events conducted at Memorial and Labor days, with event organizers extolling the virtues of legalizing marijuana. However, family members said owner Tom Crosslin's literature sought to prohibit illegal drug usage at the site. For more info, visit its Web site at: http://www.rainbowfarmcampground.comStaff writer Jim Meenan: jmeenan sbtinfo.com -- (616) 687-7005Staff writer Gwen O'Brien: gobrien sbtinfo.com -- (219) 235-6333Newshawk: Mr.greengenesSource: South Bend Tribune (IN)Published: September 1, 2001Copyright: 2001 South Bend TribuneContact: vop sbtinfo.comWebsite: http://www.southbendtribune.com/Related Article & Web Site:Rainbow Farm Campgroundhttp://www.rainbowfarmcamp.com/News Copter Hit by Bullets in Standoffhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10781.shtmlRainbow Farms Raided for Drugs http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9664.shtml
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Comment #14 posted by Lehder on September 02, 2001 at 09:49:01 PT
somewhere, someday....
Probably not today, not this time, but sometime, when the mood and the location are just right, I predict there will be far more than thirty campers on location at one of these WACO events. They will show up to let the government know that it just ain't gonna happen. Crosslin will not be imprisoned for thirty years. The property will not be forfeit. I am wondering - will the government defy the campers? Would it defy 3,000 campers? 30,000? 300,000? Would it kill them? Who knows? It might.---------According to [Chalmers]Johnson, the process ofrevolution is then the following: Change in values or environment or both creates a disequilibration between them. Homeostatic devices, including incremental adjustment and structural change policies, fail to reinstate synchronization; or the elite may resist making the required changes. Power deflation occurs, which means the elite must rely increasingly on force to maintain order. Loss of authority follows, which means that the elite's use of force is seen as illegitimate, and the threat of sanctions becomes the means of regulating society. Personal tensions are heightened. Latent interests associated with the superordinate-subordinate divisions in society polarize into manifest interest groups supporting or opposing the status quo. The development of a revolutionary ideology overcomes the conflict retarding effects of multiple role playing and polarizes society into two groups: one seeking to maintain the status quo, and one seeking to overthrow it. The process just described leads to a situation ripe for revolution. There is a manifest cleavage in society between supporters and opponents of the status quo. This situation is characterized as follows: The final sufficient cause of revolution is a trigger event ("accelerator") that deprives the elite of force (e.g., mutiny by a military division) or proves to the revolutionaries that they stand a chance of success (e.g., ashow of weakness by the elite, such as inability to stop a demonstration).copied from:http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/CIP.CHAP8.HTM
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Comment #13 posted by mr.greengenes on September 01, 2001 at 21:47:56 PT
Updated story from WNDU
11:oo P.M. and the siege continuesStandoff continues; Area surrounded by police and protestorsLast Updated: 09/01/2001 07:35 pm Vandalia, MI - A standoff in Vandalia continues as Tom Crosslin still refuses to give himself up regardless that police say they now have a arrest warrant for his arrest. Authorities came to Rainbow Farms in Vandalia around noon Friday to investigate a fire. That's when the trouble started. Police said on Friday, the live-in farm owner and operator Tom Crosslin had set fire to two buildings on his property and may have been responsible for firing gun shots. Saturday, police said they are no longer certain Crosslin is behind the fire or the shooting because there are a number of other people on the farm. Crosslin was supposed to be in court on Friday for drug related warrants but police say he didn’t show. If he is found guilty, all 30 acres will be forfeited. Police say they now have a warrant for Crosslin’s arrest. Crosslin’s Attorney talksDori Leo, Crosslin’s attorney is the only person to have spoken with him outside of the campground area. “This is his home here at Rainbow Farms and he has no intention of leaving it. He doesn’t intend to hurt anyone. He basically, at this point, just wants to be left alone. Tom Crosslin is on the property and he has every intention of staying there for the duration,” said Leo. Police have had no contactPolice have very little information about what Crosslin wants. They believe that Friday’s fires may have resulted in cutting the power and phone lines to the campground. “We’d certainly like to have some dialogue with him directly, but at this time we’ll take what we can get,” said Cass County Sheriff, Joe Underwood. ProtestersOutside Rainbow Farms, friends and supporters of Crosslin have been making their voices heard. Since late Friday night, a group of as many as 30 people have camped out near the farm, holding signs reading "Free Tom," and passing out Rainbow Farms t-shirts. Protestors say that Tom Crosslin is trying to make a point that he won't give up his property without a fight. “We want Tom to know that we’re here, we’re going to support him, we’re going to support the movement, and we’re going to support freedom in America,” said one protestor. “I want the community to know that it’s not a compound. It’s not a place where kids come to went dope. It’s where family went to get together and have a camp. It was a campground. Exactly what they said it was in the beginning and exactly what it still is now,” said Darrel Stanford. Rainbow Farms will continue somewhereThe group of protestors has said Rainbow Farms will continue no matter what. It won’t matter if it’s this location of another. They also say they will continue to camp out until the situation is resolved. Crosslin's attorney said that Crosslin intends to release a statement soon. More info on standoff and Rainbow Farms ">http://www.wndu.com/news/082001/news_9513.php>
http://www.wndu.com/news/092001/news_9522.php
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Comment #12 posted by rabblerouser on September 01, 2001 at 21:06:48 PT
GOV
"We've got to protect our phony baloney jobs" 'harumph 'harumph' 'harumph'
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Comment #11 posted by like on September 01, 2001 at 17:07:48 PT
pure frustration
"they've got the guns, but we've got the numbers,gonna win, yeah, we're taking over... come on!"-the doorsthe government does not listen, unless the words confirm and repeat the authorities basic point of view. The government does not even acknowlege any opposing viewpoint unless the voice is too loud to be ignored. The government does not act to accomodate the opposing viewpoint into it's policies unless inaction risks the destruction of the government itself, and even then it will try to bend the view so as to change the basic structure of power as little as possible. Radical action is painted as being un-american, irresponsible and unrealistic. Any 'big' change is met with as much resistance as possible. The government is never at the spearhead for change unless the change means more power to the authorities.Never, ever, is the government first to consider decentralization, more individual freedoms, less oversight over the media, etc. The authorites always protect their interests FIRST, making sure to maintain the APPEARANCE of a government for the people, but not to reflect the will of the people unless that will has first been reduced to a mere reflection of the government's position. The government will only act on behalf of the 'people' when it becomes impossible to maintain public ignorance on a given policy.This is what I have learned from the sunny and fluffy war on drugs. The priority numero uno of the ruling class in America is to maintain power, and to keep things as constant and predictible as possible. But the more the spoon-fed bull$*** piles up, the more it becomes clear that the time of half-measures, appearances of solutions over real actions, and the charade a system that pretends to serve the people instead of use them, is coming to an end. hooray! the future is gonna be intense...
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Comment #10 posted by mr.greengenes on September 01, 2001 at 16:35:28 PT
Rainbow update
The footage of the fires burning on CNN was probably file footage from the Channel 16 helicopter that was shot at. I don't have cable, so I can't say for sure. The fires would probably have burned out by today. I just watched the 6o'clock and it looks like he's still holed up inside with an unknown number of other people. The reporters were saying that the police aren't sure if Tom was the one who shot the helicopter and set the fires because there are other people involved. They also said he is facing thirty years in prison and forfieture of the property. I noticed that while the reporters were talking, the police were bringing in a boat and two jet skis, I don't know what they intend to do with those. They also interviewed his lawyer and said that he will be sending out a letter explaining what his intentions are. They said he is planning on staying in for the duration, however long it takes. People interviewed said he just wants to stay in his home and be left alone.Reporting for cannibasnews.com, this has been Mr. Greengenes.
http://www.wndu.com
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on September 01, 2001 at 14:28:26 PT
Finally on CNN News
I finally just saw about the standoff on CNN. They showed the fires burning and mentioned the RainbowFarm. I hope they stay on this. That means they have a crew at the site now.PS: Thanks Richard that was kind of you. You know I'm very proud to be associated with Mapinc. You all are the best in my book!
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Comment #8 posted by Richard Lake on September 01, 2001 at 13:53:29 PT:
Getting the news out?
I think you are misreading the link. The dates are the datean item is published, not the date posted. Of course notmany stories are yet processed that were published today.But a total of 39 have been posted since midnight Pacific time.Three of our volunteer editors are out of town, so we areprobably not going to meet the average 7 hour from hawked toposted average of the last 33 days this weekend, but thevolunteer editors on duty are pushing as fast as they can.Labor day weekend is a labor of love for us.Several more volunteers are going through editor trainingright now and should be helping within a few days.RichardWe do have this story up athttp://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01.n1611.a11.htmlThanks to Martha and www.cannabisnews.com a DrugSense hostedwebsite
DrugNews
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Comment #7 posted by The GCW on September 01, 2001 at 13:23:28 PT
Richard Lake...
You mentioned a MAP connection. MAP is not getting out their usual news on their site at: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/index.htm In the last 24 hours they have barely gotten any news out.+ I hope all ends safe for the guy holed up... This is going to help insure that the Michigan election over medical cannabis use will pass, like everywhere else.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on September 01, 2001 at 12:42:16 PT
This is so sad
I hope and pray this works out without anyone getting hurt. People are snapping. People are weary of a war on a plant. It is just a plant. People shouldn't die fighting against laws that are just down right unjust. The aggression isn't coming from the use of Cannabis but from frustration. I'm sure they'll try to blame Marijuana but it just isn't so.
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Comment #5 posted by Happy on September 01, 2001 at 12:13:29 PT:
The Rewards of Activism:
I went to a few Hemp Aids at Rainbow farms, and I can see why he'd rather standoff then live in a world without it. I pray for his welfare, for all of ours.Rainbow Farms was America as our founding fathers intended it, virtually no crime, no hate, no panic, no danger. My family, my daughter, cried when it shut down for memorial day. This man is defending freedom. I don't condone violence or endangerment or murder, either of him or those persecuting him, but he is fighting for freedom.I hope this resolves peacefully, and with no more violence.Is the drug war worth the risk of life, and this angering of the public? Tens of thousands of people went to rainbowfarms. Millions, in michigan, have heard about it. Millions more will now. Do they want the drug war and WACO to be so related with another standoff?Please forward this article to all your press contacts, politicians.Rev. Happy
The Universal Life Church Forum
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Comment #4 posted by stealthenforcer on September 01, 2001 at 12:01:02 PT
America will move forward
the US of A is dying
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Comment #3 posted by Richard Lake on September 01, 2001 at 11:55:53 PT:
Rainbow Farm
Martha, this makes me sad today. The folks at the rainbow farm really had things going for them. I know them all. However, when you have something that clearly is a target, one of the best places for cannabis users to visit in the U.S. (according to High Times - and I was there when Steve figured that out) you do not have a grow operation in your basement.I understand my friend Doug who ran their website left a month before the raid in May, knowing that they were heading for big problems. For that I am glad.For a long time the picture on my small MAP home page was of me speaking at one of the events at the farm. I first met Nora from November (a MAP board member) at the farm. We even had a drugsense chat from the farmhouse, in the very basement where there was later to be this grow operation.I did express my opinion of why this was all happening in a letter published in their local newspaper last may, which is at http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n947/a10.htmlRichard
The Media Awareness Project
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Comment #2 posted by Duzt on September 01, 2001 at 10:42:24 PT
A true hero............
I find it interesting that not one major news agency is reporting this. CNN, ABCNews, Salon.com; not even a mention. They must be busy making up a story to try to portray him as a dangerous gun toting, drug dealing lunatic. This guy is a hero, and a true American; we can all learn something from him. Maybe people will see how peaceful and compassionate this man is and that he has thousands if not hundreds of thousands of supporters and has never harmed anyone. The police are theives and criminals. They steal peoples properties, cars and lives to finance their evil mission. We all need to start standing up for our rights and stop being afraid of these idiots that are hell bent on the destruction of innocent people's lives.
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Comment #1 posted by E. Johnson on September 01, 2001 at 09:49:09 PT
We could change our name to the USSRA
United Soviet Socialist Republic of America
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