cannabisnews.com: Silence Frustrates Police Silence Frustrates Police Posted by FoM on September 03, 2001 at 08:06:15 PT By Lou Mumford, Tribune Staff Writer Source: South Bend Tribune A bizarre standoff continued into a third day Sunday at the Rainbow Farm and campground, with 46-year-old property owner Tom Crosslin giving no indication of turning himself in. Frustrated law enforcement officials said they still were hoping for a peaceful resolution.But the longer Crosslin remained holed up, without even directly talking to authorities, the more it seemed the conclusion might be punctuated by violence. The standoff at the farm/campground at 59896 Pemberton Road, where activities and concerts have revolved around causes like the legalization of marijuana, was still ongoing Sunday night. The farm likely would have been the scene of a similar activity this weekend, but it was shut down in May after Crosslin's arrest on drug charges."We're evaluating the situation, taking it day by day,'' said Cass County Sheriff Joe Underwood at a press conference at a police command center about a mile from the farm. "There is no timetable for Crosslin's capture.''Unlike Friday and Saturday, Underwood said it didn't appear Sunday that either Crosslin or anyone else on the property, perhaps Rolland Rohm, 28, had burned buildings or taken pot shots at aircraft. A WNDU-TV helicopter was struck by at least one shot Friday, and a state police fixed-wing aircraft drew fire again Saturday.Neither the state police plane nor an unidentified civilian aircraft that also was in area Saturday was believed to have been damaged by the shots. But as a precaution, police have notified airports to keep aircraft away from the farm.On Friday, two buildings on the property were burned, apparently intentionally, and another pair of structures were burned to the ground Saturday. Underwood said at the news conference he believed the only significant building still standing is the farmhouse.As for a motive for the arsons, Underwood said in a prepared statement that an anonymous caller told his department shortly after the first fire was reported at 12:15 EDT Friday that Crosslin set the blaze "to ambush law enforcement officers when they arrived in response to the fire.''The sheriff didn't state why the other buildings were burned. However, a supporter of Crosslin, James Parker of Hillsdale, Mich., said he may have set the fires in response to the state's attempt to confiscate his property under the Drug Forfeiture Act.Underwood confirmed papers were filed in May to initiate proceedings to seize Crosslin's property.Parker was among dozens of supporters who turned out Sunday in support of Crosslin. Most gathered at a makeshift campsite at White Temple Road and Michigan 60, about two miles from the campground."I've met Tom Crosslin twice. He's been good to us,'' said Parker, the chairman of the Hillsdale branch of the Libertarian Party. "We support everybody's property rights.''Other supporters echoed Parker's views, mentioning Crosslin's humanitarian activities such as giving Christmas presents and hayrides to children. They said he shouldn't be branded for his views on personal rights."This is about a person's right to do what he wants in his own home, when he's not hurting anybody else,'' said Melody Karr, of Mesick, Mich., sporting a button depicting a red, white and blue marijuana plant and the words, "I'm not a criminal.''Crosslin and Rohm, arrested on drug and firearms charges in May, were both scheduled to appear in Cass County Circuit Court Friday in response to a show-cause petition and a motion to revoke bond for allegedly violating terms of their bonds. When neither showed up, Judge Michael Dodge issued warrants for their arrests.However, friends of Crosslin said the standoff was more a result of the removal of Rohm's 13-year-old son from the farm and campground. Because of the drug charges, the child, who had been living on the farm with Crosslin and his father, was placed in foster care recently.Underwood said a passer-by who's familiar with Crosslin told officers he had been observed Friday walking down the street in camouflage clothing, carrying what appeared to be a weapon. The report led to the filing of an additional felony charge.Also, the sheriff said neighbors of Crosslin told his department that Crosslin had contacted them Friday and advised them to leave the area because "all hell was going to break loose.''Underwood said police have been able to negotiate with Crosslin only through a third party, whom he wouldn't identify. Phone calls to the residence Sunday were met with busy signals."We feel he's frustrated with the system, how things are going with the court action, how things are going with his family,'' the sheriff said. "He hasn't said what he wants. We have no list of demands at this time.''Note: Campground owner refuses to talk to authoritiesStaff writer Lou Mumford: lmumford sbtinfo.comPh: (616) 687-7002 Source: South Bend Tribune (IN)Author: Lou Mumford, Tribune Staff WriterPublished: September 3, 2001Copyright: 2001 South Bend TribuneContact: vop sbtinfo.comWebsite: http://www.southbendtribune.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Rainbow Farm Campgroundhttp://www.rainbowfarmcamp.com/Police Open Negotiations in Campground Standoffhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10793.shtmlVandalia Campground Owner Continues Standoff http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10790.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #19 posted by Skip on September 05, 2001 at 21:55:02 PT: How to demonize any little guy It was too easy to demonize Tom. At the moment of his death (or murder), he was not found guilty of any crime. His property was in the process of being conficated without due process. The government has arranged conveniently to seize anyones property without evidence or conviction for wrong doing. Then, try to get it back. It will costs thousands in attorney fees and in the end, all of us will lose. They are picking off the easy marks first but eventually they will come for you and yours. If we let this happen to Tom today, who will be the target tomorrow?So far we have had demonstrations by the FBI in Idaho, Texas, Oklahoma, and innocent people are being shot dead on their own property. What is wrong with this picture? Exactly who are the bad guys?The FBI is not part of the solution, they are part of the problem. Who will call them to account for their actions? They went free in Idaho, Texas and Oklahoma and that is why they continue doing the same unlawful things. There is no penalty, only more lies and coverups. Originally, the FBI was set up to catch communists. They failed. Now we have Gorbachev living in beautiful downtown San Franciso at the Presidio. So many members of congress are socialists, one can lose count of them. There is a very long list of those who have never read the 2nd amendment nor understand its clarity. They keep trying to get your gun, your property, your liberty and your last dime. The FBI has outlived their usefulness in a big way. Our government has been infiltrated and the FBI still hasn't got a clue. They are too busy calling in tanks and shooting first. They actually believe communism is dead. Get a clue! Lets send them a mirror --- so they identify up close and personal--- a large part of the problem.Farewell, Tom. Dead or alive.....your tax dollars at work. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by Heather on September 05, 2001 at 21:16:51 PT: Mini-Waco? The FBI saga of death continues..... Call for congressional hearing on another FBI murder. OVERKILL. Let me see, is there a pattern here? If the FBI was on the ball, they'd arrest the CIA drug pushers FIRST, but they are too chicken for that..... so the hard drugs keep on rolling.The FBI's militant action broke many articles of our Constitution.What happened to States Rights? Tell me where confiscation of propertyis located or referenced in the U.S. Constitution. It isn't there! These actions at Rainbow are PROHIBITED. Why does the attorney general allow these abuses?FBI - bow your heads-you have no respect for life, liberty or property.Are there no patriots left in government?How many more people will the FB I murder? Coming soon, to your hometown.Why is the local Sheriff allowing feds into domestic areas, that are NOT intheir jurisdiction. They have to get permission. Sheriff's who give permissionalso have blood on their hands. Anybody read the constitution lately?Even if you know your rights, the feds do not uphold the constitution.Does anybody care? Is there a decent lawabiding judge left?The FBI are pantywaists who have no patience in standoffs. Their record is lethal.Their automatic solution is to call in tanks, helicopters and other clowns.The Constitution prohibits them which is why some traitors want to change that document for one more to their liking.The FBI, ATF, CIA and FEMA were created by unlawful Executive Orders.They have moved on to seizing all the land and private property.We do not have a monarchy in this country, all E.O. should be null and void.The President is not a King in America, no matter how many times the U.N. says otherwise.There is not a child in America who doesn't know who isbringing drugs into the country. NAFTA has assuredthat Mexican trucks get a free-pass over the borders.Anyone who grows their own is cutting into global trade.Harlem can thank Bill Clinton for providing "legal" drug connections.We need to challenge all Executive Orders the constitution says theyare all null and void to get our country back. This is the first step, folks.Step two:Getting out of the United Nations.Step three:Repealing NAFTA Step four: Weeding out representatives and senators who show no respect for the oath they took to uphold the constitution.The FBI is putting on a good show of terror upon citizens.There are laws against actions such as those taken in this incident.Please memorize the steps all Americans need to concentrate on toget our country back from the lawless crew who are dragging us into socialism.by military attacks upon citizens; a total disregard of private property and thelist goes on and on. Let these deaths be the last ones.Get out of the U.N; Cancel all Executive Orders until the real prince comes; weed outyour senator or congress rep if they do not uphold the U.S. Constitution. Repeal NAFTA. We want the people at the TOP of the drug chain. Not somelittle guy who smokes pot. What were you thinking? Is there anyone in Americaleft --- who is falling for this scenario? If there is, they are too young to vote.Without the FBI, CIA and ATF, there is NO drug problem in America.NAFTA keeps the borders open to all unless you are a citizen, of course.The United Nations is responsible for the pattern of abuses we are seeingin shutting down public lands and confiscating property. It is responsiblefor all the jobs lost to our own citizens who have been replaced by captivesin third world nations. It is a form of war that works quietly person by personand one plot of land taken at a time under a global banner. All of these illegal and unconstitution actions can be stopped if people would study the constitution and demand that our officals uphold it. This is why it is not taught in schools today. They want to keep you dumb. Pot helps in this effort. So you need to shake yourself out of it andpay attention to what's going on around you. Those bullets were a warning bell.Is anybody out there listening? We need to take these few steps.Today is a good time to start.....Trust me, there isn't time to weep. Wake up!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Rock-N-Roller on September 04, 2001 at 22:43:54 PT Get up, Stand up, Stand up for your right. In order to bring more media attention to this tragedy we need to make a lot of noise. We need the likes of Gary Johnson, and Normal to attend the funerals and deliver the eulogies. We need to have thousands of people attend the services, so many people it overcomes the place, just like the police and firemen do. If this could happen the media cannot completley ignore this. If we get more media attention it can possibly help to educate the ones who need it. E-Mail Gary Johnson's office, and Normal, lets try to get them there. I will make several posts of this comment. Do not be angry or surprised if you see this again. I will post it in other places. Get up, Stand up, Stand up for your right. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by angel fang on September 03, 2001 at 22:27:53 PT U.S. Patriot Assassinated (Where is Connie Chung?) Tom Crosslin reminds me of the American Patriot Patrick Henry who said, "Give me liberty or give me death" (You can follow a link to the statement at http://libertyonline.hypermall.com/henry-liberty.html Americans are losing the right to free speech and the right to bear arms. Prison populations are 6 times greater in the U.S. than other industrialized nations. Now DEATH AFTER DEATH for a drug war gone awry. The secret police, or the S.S. of the U.S. as I call them, are zeroing in and taking their score. Pity America. It is time to organize and act. May your future meetings go well at your next permanent farm. I think I may start a campground and invite G. Gordon Liddy to run his anti-anarchist group as an adjunct facility. Americans are losing the right to free speech and the right to bear arms. Prison populations are 6 times greater in the U.S. than other industrialized nations. The government has ways of pushing people until they go over the line. I pity the poor man who was killed and honor him.Contrary to popular belief, you are guilty until proven innocent if you are a common man in America. Vote Libertarian or Social Democrat. Corporations are whores, governments are their whips, and U.S. unions are the handles to the whips. Welcome to AmeriKa 2001.Now DEATH AFTER DEATH for a drug war gone awry. The secret police, or the S.S. of the U.S. as I call them, are zeroing in and taking their score. Pity America. It is time for a revolution. May your future meetings go well at your next permanent farm. I think I may start a campground and invite G. Gordon Liddy to run his anti-anarchist group as an adjunct facility. Also note that I have heard nothing of the atrocity in my city. News blackouts of this sort of thing are common. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by happy on September 03, 2001 at 21:26:00 PT Protest Before the gunfight I would have taken my whole family down there before the gunfight broke out, for a peaceful protest. No one was told until things got to dangerous.I feel like someone is calling me a coward for not going.Rainbow Farms is heaven to me, was good to me.I had months to prepare for Hemp Aid.I wasn't notified of the protest until it was too dangerous to take a one month old.Well, the FBI shot him dead. Legalize Michigan [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Paul on September 03, 2001 at 15:19:49 PT This posted at RB Farms web site --------------------------------------------------------------------------------September 2, 2001 Rainbow Farm Campground is under siege. We are gathering on private property on the corner of M-60 and White Temple. Please come and show your support for Rainbow Farm.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rainbow Farm Campgrounds 1-877-443-6724 hempme2 aol.comhttp://www.rainbowfarmcampground.com 13 miles west of Three Rivers, Michigan on M-60, follow signs. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------"Rainbow Farm Thanks High Times" Rainbow Farm sends a big thanks out to Steve Hager and High Times Magazine for their generous contribution to the Rainbow Farm legal fund. We also would like to thank you for all of the anonymous donations and everyone that has kept us in their thoughts and prayers through these terrible times. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thank you Toyes All of us at Rainbow Farm love and appreciate you. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------**The Joint Coffeeshop**THE JOINT COFFEESHOP at Rainbow Farm is nowfeaturing entertainment on weekends.Check out this weekends schedule.Click here for DetailsBring your friends on down to hang out at the Joint.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------**MERLE HAGGARD**MERLE HAGGARD was Incredible!!!The Stevens Sisters opened the show (and boy did they)then MERLE HAGGARD and The Strangers kicked it to the next level only like legends can.Show Info.click here. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Amos on September 03, 2001 at 12:35:08 PT Dozens of supporters? Frankly, I'm stunned. I'm stunned at what is not happening.Dozens of supporters?The man welcomed thousands of people onto his property. Where are they? The man is in a throw down with an impossible enemy. It isn't just about him. It's about Michigan. It's about the entire nation. Where are all the fine patriots?A million people standing quietly and peacefully nearby and praying for his victory would surely have some positive effect on the outcome of this horrible matter.Even ten thousand. Ten and twenty thousand people have been known to show up for sporting events and concerts. His life is on the line. The future of this country is at stake here. Isn't it?Where are the hundred thousand Michigan voters who signed the petition to put legalization on the ballot in Michigan? The nation will notice how many supporters he has, or doesn't have. The media will notice how many supporters he does, or doesn't have. The Government will notice how many supporters he has or doesn't have. This could be more important than a nationwide vote. This could be IT! It's time to do something instead of just talk about it.Dozens of supporters? [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Duzt on September 03, 2001 at 11:04:54 PT ekim I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty sure it was New York that ended prohibition. They just said, "screw you gov., we are going to drink and there's nothing you can do about it. Of course you didn't have nazi style police with tanks and hundreds of thousands of people hurded into prisons for commiting no crime. Prohibition was 12 or so years, this war has been going on for a lot longer so it will end much more slowly. I wish you all the best in getting your ballot initiative passed. I hope it can be Michigan that ends this mess. I'm in California and we have worked hard to end it here to. It's getting close, it will happen soon and these people will have to answer to their war crimes. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Bonner on September 03, 2001 at 10:49:42 PT: Rainbow Farm I am truly sorry to hear about this standoff. My daughter and I have been there for the last 5 years. What the Farm tried to do was a good thing. Alot of problems gave way to what is now happening. The best way to show our support is to get the PRA on the 2002 ballot, and show the Goverment that we are takeing a stand. I believe that people are tired of the war on its own citizens, and must be stopped.My heart goes out to the family, and I wish for peace. Thank you Rainbow Farm, and all the people involved, for giveing us all a place for our families to have a good, safe, and clean fun. I wish you all Well, Bonner, thePipemaster Mid Michigan Marijuana Movement [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by ekim on September 03, 2001 at 10:44:54 PT: Which State Ended Alcohol Probititon First Seems like it was MICHIGAN does anyone know for a fact.You can dowload PRA petitions at www.prayes.com if the site goes down, use fulltime phone number 1-989-799-4641 Copy and send to people you know in MI. ask them to sign and pass them on. The PRA office is at 255 N. Center SUITE 1, Saginaw, MI 48603 In Kalamazoo you can get petitions at 124 Lovell.Street [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on September 03, 2001 at 10:36:49 PT Thank you mr.greengenes Thanks mr.greengenes,Keep us posted. I posted this news brief last night and the Feds are going to be getting involved and that is scary. They have been showing the standoff on CNN Headline News almost every half an hour. http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread10793.shtml#5 [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by mr.greengenes on September 03, 2001 at 10:25:32 PT Noontime news update Just watched the WNDU newstime update.Looks like the feds are taking a more active interest. They just brought in a tank and an army helicopter to have on standby. Things could get ugly folks, but at the moment it just looks like a waiting game. Reporting for cannabisnews, Mr. greengenes.Back to you, FOM [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by zenfever on September 03, 2001 at 09:41:51 PT vipassana That's vipassana [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by zenfever on September 03, 2001 at 09:28:33 PT Vipanassa Tom, sit down and go to Vipanassa. Sheriff's, sit down and got ot Vipanassa. FBI. sit down and so to Vipanassa.Peace be with you, now! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by The Offspring on September 03, 2001 at 08:52:06 PT Leave the poor man alone From what I heard about Tom Crosslin is that he is apeaceful man. It is the police fault. If they never raided his place none of this would be happening. I hope everything turns out alright. But with PIGS involved nothing turns out alright. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by The GCW on September 03, 2001 at 08:48:17 PT SWATSTIKA the more it seemed the conclusion might be punctuated by violence. SWATSTIKA is the violence that comes. It sounds like Crosslin has no intentions of living in a prison, which is the only peaceful conclusion, that he be imprisoned for the duration of his life. Prohibition mentality has not offered any other alternatives. I surely am not alone when I wish for God to Come quickly, like right now and straighten this all out. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Patrick on September 03, 2001 at 08:44:33 PT Demands? Funny, that he has no demands. However, the authorities demand his property, his friends 13 year old son, and that he be locked up for growing marijuana. The governemnt is the criminal when it comes to this unholy war on peaceful people. It's no wonder he is armed. It's for his own protection from a tyrannical for profit government hell bent it seems on ruining his life and livelyhood. Something has to give us a reason to stand up and take back our government from neo-nazi narco-squads. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Lou Vee on September 03, 2001 at 08:36:54 PT: Do it for Tom Like everyone else who has ever been there (except a few narcs) I think of Rainbow Farm as a paradise, and I am very troubled that it has become the site of an armed standoff.I wish I could be at the site of the standoff to show my support.Instead, I am doing something just as good - maybe better - I am doubling the number of hours I spend each week petitioning for PRA.There could be no more fitting tribute to Tom Crosslin (and the paradise he created) than to see PRA on the ballot.I urge all others in Michigan to join me. If you are troubled by the closing of Rainbow Farm and the subsequent standoff then show it by doing extra petitioning.If you plan to spend lots of time petitioning in this final month, you can get from George of Wayne County NORML a hands-free sign that is eight feet tall at the top and makes petitioning much easier and more effective. The sign has a large green pot leaf in the middle, and the words "Sign the Petition - Repeal Prohibition" It is a real attention getter in a crowd. It attracts pros and (mostly) repells antis. (Please pardon a father's pride.) [ Post Comment ] Post Comment