cannabisnews.com: Rainbow Family More Than 'Hippies' Rainbow Family More Than 'Hippies' Posted by CN Staff on July 02, 2007 at 15:13:13 PT By Laura Eppes, Reporter Source: Courier Arkansas -- 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 UpThe 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. Note: 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.Source: Courier, The (AR)Author: Laura Eppes, Reporter Published: Monday, July 2, 2007 Copyright: 2005, Russellville Newspapers, IncContact: editor couriernews.comWebsite: http://www.couriernews.com/Related Article & Web Site:Rainbow Familyhttp://welcomehere.org/34 Years of Hippie Camps, Now in Dry Woods http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21956.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #38 posted by whig on July 04, 2007 at 12:38:05 PT Shock rock Some people make a living being obnoxious. His fans want him to be as rude and crude and thoroughly obnoxious as possible.I don't much care for Alice Cooper either. [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by Hope on July 04, 2007 at 07:03:40 PT Nugent is a huge embarrassment as far as I'm concerned, to the NRA, too, as well as Texas, since I think he lives here now.I don't won't to discolor my day by reading anything to do with that extraordinarily unlikable man. I liked his first album, but it all looked downhill from there.He's extraordinarily obnoxious. But I think that's the way he likes it. Just seeing his name is like finding a fly in your soup. [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by FoM on July 04, 2007 at 05:41:30 PT Celaya I'm almost afraid to post this article. He is a Republican and hates anyone who leans towards the left. He loves guns. I have nothing against guns but Nugent really seems to be obsessed with them. He is about the worst representation of the musicians we had back then. He embarrasses me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by Celaya on July 03, 2007 at 21:55:22 PT While we are celebrating hippies......... ...........the Wall Street Journal and Ted Nugent have launched an incredibly vile attack on hippies and the enlightenment of the sixties.I hereby revoke Nugent's status as musician. A real musician cannot think in such a monstrously hateful way. And the Wall Street Journal can take a flying leap.http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n787/a08.html?397 [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by FoM on July 03, 2007 at 20:19:04 PT Hope and Whig That's it! Whig, thank you and have a nice holiday. [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by Hope on July 03, 2007 at 20:08:31 PT The Fourth of July Have a good one...true and fellow patriots. [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by whig on July 03, 2007 at 20:07:31 PT museman #29 But let not a Nebuchadnezzar rise. [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by Hope on July 03, 2007 at 20:04:55 PT Comment 24 FoM Galatians 6:9 King James Version9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by FoM on July 03, 2007 at 19:53:02 PT Happy 4th of July I made this small Neil Young 4th of July page a couple of years ago but I think it still means something. I hope everyone has a great day tomorrow.http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/fourth.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by museman on July 03, 2007 at 19:22:35 PT whig "...and babylon is fallen to us. What shall we do with it then?"Plant many gardens. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by whig on July 03, 2007 at 19:17:25 PT All the rest When cannabis prohibition ends, and as it ends, and as we consume it openly, and teach others to do so, then they learn and know the truth, and babylon is fallen to us. What shall we do with it then? [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by whig on July 03, 2007 at 19:16:03 PT FoM/Museman Cannabis prohibition is ending. It will end faster than you think. [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by FoM on July 03, 2007 at 11:56:57 PT museman The transition will be very hard for many people but we will survive. We are Americans and change is up to us not them. We can be a help or a hindrance. We must drawl that line in the sand. We stand at a crossroad and the wrong path could be devastating for the future. That's my opinion. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by museman on July 03, 2007 at 11:48:51 PT FoM Absolutely. I believe I mentioned in an earlier post that "I don't go in for lost causes." There's no point in trying if you KNOW you can't win, though when backed into a corner, one might come out fighting even if the odds seem insurmountable, that's human nature I think.There has always been a 'Spirit in the air,' it's us that turn away, and have to be brought back into awareness of it.The times are pretty special and historical however. During this time a whole lot of stuff is going to 'sink or swim' and what we decide now collectively is going to impact the future for a thousand years. At least. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by FoM on July 03, 2007 at 11:39:57 PT museman Change is in the air. I just thought of this and it goes like this: we will win if we don't faint. I can't remember where I heard that though. This time we are living in is a transitionary time that was seen only back in the 60s. There really is a Spirit in the air. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by museman on July 03, 2007 at 11:13:02 PT FoM I know and understand what you are saying. I have had most of my 'American pride' destroyed by a handful of carpetbaggers who are in the process of finishing the "Great American Rip-Off" of freedom and personal liberty. I have had my loyalty to the sacred cause of freedom contaminated by the facts and actions of a corrupt society and government, but I once was a very patriotic young man who believed in this country, and what it claims to represent. This land is like no other on the face of this planet. What we have in the forests, and the canyons, the deserts, the plains, and the mountains is simply like no other nation in the world. We have the opportunity to set examples of community, sane use of resource, true embrace of diversity of culture, and truly become leaders of a 'new world' (not a NEW WORLD ORDER). These things have been hijacked and exploited beyond imagining, yet America is so big and vast, that even with all the greed and carelessness in the society of the consuming horde (what we have become) America- the land and it's people -is still beautiful.The destruction must stop however, or even America can die. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by FoM on July 03, 2007 at 11:07:11 PT A 4th of July Video It's called Democracy by Leonard Cohen.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9EmpS6AoR0Lyrics: http://leonardcohenfiles.com/democracy.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by FoM on July 03, 2007 at 10:59:50 PT museman I understand and that right now is my heart's prayer. I want to see our country in better shape then it is now. I want to love being a U.S. Citizen again. It makes me feel like crying these days. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by museman on July 03, 2007 at 10:56:54 PT FoM Though my last post may have answered you, your prayer is your own. Only you know what is truly in your own heart, and if your heart prays for relief from presidential monkeys who have no business being where they are, then go for it. I imagine that there are quite a few with similar prayers. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by museman on July 03, 2007 at 10:53:29 PT further note: prayer for everyone I surely don't want to exclude anyone for lack of a 'voice'. Prayer is at it's best an internal connection, and not contingent on either having functioning vocal equipment, or hearing. All one needs to have to participate is a beating heart. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by FoM on July 03, 2007 at 10:52:43 PT museman One prayer that would mean so much to me would be praying that we get a good president and that he or she is wise and helps our country. Do they prayer at all like that? [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by FoM on July 03, 2007 at 10:48:38 PT museman It will be 1 PM Central Time. I will join in. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by FoM on July 03, 2007 at 10:46:04 PT museman Is Arkansas Central time? I will. I believe there is power in prayer. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by museman on July 03, 2007 at 10:41:51 PT another thing Tomorrow at noon, Arkasas time, thousands of people are going to stand together, join hands and "OM" (not ohhhhmmm) which is an ancient method of prayer, that includes any and all who have a voice, and choose to participate. You don't have to know the proper ritual, or the proper words, it's all about intent. The prayer is ostensibly about peace, or notably 'the end of war' but anybody's contribution of good-lovin'-vibes -anywhere in the world is encouraged and welcome. Pray with us tomorrow on the day that this nation of 'stupid white men' has made as a symbol of war and death and destruction (calling it about 'independance and liberty') and add your spiritual weight to the desire for peace. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on July 03, 2007 at 10:35:39 PT museman Some of us might need to join in on our harps or acoustic guitars but we'll be there and flying high! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by museman on July 03, 2007 at 10:32:18 PT FoM- whig FoM, Thanks for finding this positive report. After over 30 years of ignorance and propaganda, it is good to see.One thing I'd like to note though is the playdown of LEO harrassment and some of the tactics being used by the BLM and fed LEOs to literally mess with people. This year their big thing was driving around the perimeter with their PA systems blasting out "Bad Boys" at decibels some one would get arrested for -if it weren't the cops doing it-.Another thing about the Colorado '06 gathering; the BLM sold the entire site to lumber companies, who (I don't know if they've done it yet, but they were planning to do it last year at the same time of the gathering which got the big money grabbin' earth rapers upset) were going to clear cut the site. That could literally leave a mess.I wish I could have gone this year, but my pension is getting smaller while prices rise.Whig, having a 'tribal gathering' for the cnewsers would be a great idea, but take a real good look at the precedents. Having a 'celebratory' gathering at the end of prohibition is a great idea, but (and I don't want to focus on the pessimism) at the rate it is going, there would probably be substantially less of us due to age and attrition. I mean if I'd gotten together with all my friends way back when, and said, 'Lets have a big gathering when pot is legalized' - if they hadn't laughed at my 'joke' and took me seriously, I'm afraid there would be more memorium than sharing of the moment.If we have to wait for sanity to come to this crazy situation as an excuse to get together, it might never happen. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on July 03, 2007 at 06:49:55 PT Sinsemilla Jones Thank you for the reminder. I checked and it will be on at 3 am in our area but on the 9th it will be on at a reasonable hour so I will watch it then. I'm looking forward to seeing it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Sinsemilla Jones on July 03, 2007 at 02:06:01 PT OT: Reminder - Standing Silent Nation tonight Standing Silent Nation premieres on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 on PBS, as part of the 20th anniversary season of PBS’s groundbreaking P.O.V. series. Check local listings. The Battle Over Hemp on an Indian Reservation [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on July 02, 2007 at 17:45:57 PT A Comment About The Article We have a last years Rainbow Gathering article and the land was in bad shape because of the drought. It wasn't green it was brown and dry.34 Years of Hippie Camps, Now in Tinder-Dry Woods http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21956.shtml Excerpt from above article: 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. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by charmed quark on July 02, 2007 at 17:36:16 PT Newton County! My old stomping ground. Wish I was there now.-an old arkie [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by mayan on July 02, 2007 at 17:04:37 PT Sicko An Awesome First Night for "Sicko": http://rense.com/general77/sicko.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by mayan on July 02, 2007 at 16:33:09 PT RevRayGreen You mean you went to Ron Paul's tax rally? Great! Wish I could've made it.Go figure...Bush commutes Libby prison sentence: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/cia_leak_trial [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on July 02, 2007 at 16:25:39 PT whig What a wonderful thought! That would be great. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by whig on July 02, 2007 at 16:10:29 PT FoM When this is all over and cannabis is legal we have to plan a gathering of our own tribe I think. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on July 02, 2007 at 15:53:46 PT RevRayGreen I would feel very comfortable at a Rainbow Gathering. They remind me of mostly mellow kind people. I'd love to see pictures. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by RevRayGreen on July 02, 2007 at 15:49:47 PT I was there Saturday, and yes there was at least 1000+ there,compared to the other 6. Maybe I'll show up in a video or picture taken there, I had on a t-shirt that said 'NO BONG HITS 4 BUSH'(back:BongHits4Jesus) [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by mayan on July 02, 2007 at 15:44:32 PT RED ZONE Bush's (un)approval rating is threatening to destroy the entire republican party (save Ron Paul). The beast is in a corner...Bush Approval: Raw Poll Data http://www.pollkatz.homestead.com/files/approval-data_files/zzzmainGRAPHICS_14808_image001.gif [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by mayan on July 02, 2007 at 15:28:00 PT Prejudice 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.”Yeah, wouldn't want them "dirty hippies" to infect the local populace with freedom of thought.In other news, the Ron Paul Revolution is in full swing...Downplayed! … Ron Paul’s Tax Rally Outdraws Iowa Tax Forum: http://www.freemarketnews.com/WorldNews.asp?nid=44956Ron Paul in Iowa: Clip 1: Announcements http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-1paXu2IN0The fascists are very afraid, and plotting right now...Feds Gear Up For Summer Of All Fearmongering - "Spectacular" summer attacks expected as emergency alert drills invade TV, radio: http://infowars.com/articles/terror/uk_car_bomb_feds_gear_up_for_fearmongering.htmTHE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Over the line: Two judges quit Project Censored to protest 9/11 story: http://www.illinoistimes.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A66219-11 VICTIM FAMILIES BATTLING FOR JUSTICE: http://www.americanfreepress.net/html/9-11_victim_families.htmlFreeway Blogging For Truth on CBS News: http://youtube.com/watch?v=uX0hhRxy_fgA Letter Of Support From Dr. David Leifer, Senior Lecturer in Architecture, University of Sydney: http://911blogger.com/node/9736Emergency Anti-War Convention, Philadelphia, July 4th -- Call to All Activists - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20070701111100783 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment