For attendees, the upcoming Rainbow Family Reunion in the Plumas National Forest is an opportunity to celebrate community, peace, love and healing.
But authorities in this sparsely populated corner of California have other words for the matter: unpermitted, disruptive and potentially destructive.
That's why the thousands of people expected to camp as part of the early July event can expect to have some company this year. The Plumas County Sheriff's Office warns attendees that “there will be a substantial law enforcement presence” to “enforce a zero-tolerance policy toward any illegal activity or behavior that threatens public safety or our natural resources.”
Members of a management team assembled by the U.S. Forest Service have already begun enforcing parking restrictions that prohibit people from leaving their vehicles more than one car length from the road, an agency spokesperson confirmed. to The Times.
Despite the pushback, members of the Rainbow Family, many of whom have gathered from across the country for the celebration for decades, say they are not changing their plans. Between 2,000 and 8,000 people are expected to camp at the site during the celebration, which will run from July 1 to 7.
“It's a community,” said Adam Buxbaum, 36, who has been attending since he was a baby. “We go there on paper, and it's the truth, to pray for peace on the 4th of July. That's main, but secondly, we go there to spend time with all our dearest friends and family once a year.”
Members of the Rainbow Family arrive at the Routt National Forest north of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, on July 1, 2006.
(Ed Andrieski/Associated Press)
Each year, the U.S. Forest Service draws attention to the event, noting that Rainbow Gathering refuses to obtain a special use permit, which the agency says is required for groups of 75 people or more. Authorities have also said attendees engage in public nudity, drink alcohol excessively and use drugs.
Some people go without clothes, Buxbaum acknowledged, although he said it's “a really strange thing to accuse people of doing it maliciously.” He said nudity is prohibited in children's play areas and alcohol has always been discouraged.
And marijuana? Some people walk over the grass while others participate, she said.
“We believe in letting people express themselves as long as they don't harm their neighbors,” he said. “The Rainbow Gathering is the legacy of the original hippies.”
Attendees have been known to set up extensive infrastructure for the experience, with welcome tents, camping areas, outdoor kitchens, and areas dedicated to medical needs.
Authorities have warned residents of Plumas County, a region of about 19,000 people in northeastern California near where the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range meet, to expect traffic congestion and delays as more people arrive at the zone.
“We urge Rainbow Family Gathering organizers and participants to respect our community, residents and local businesses. “Any illegal activity that causes harm or harm will result in appropriate law enforcement action,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote in a statement Wednesday.
Hilary Markin, spokesperson for the Forest Service's incident management team, said the agency's top priorities are ensuring the health and safety of participants and protecting natural resources.
“We have a large incident taking place in a general forest area where there are critical resources that we want to make sure are protected,” he said.
Buxbaum, whose meeting nickname is “Finch,” calls the movement “one of the oldest acts of civil disobedience.” Rainbow Gatherings date back to 1972, when the first one was held in Colorado. Since then, every year, people have converged on different areas, but always outdoors.
Although Buxbaum is dismayed by the constant police presence, it hasn't diminished his desire to attend.
But attendance has been declining. In the past, it was normal for 20,000 people to camp. This year, he said, he will be surprised if they reach 10,000.
“Many people have permanently stopped attending meetings because they are tired of being searched and harassed every year,” Buxbaum said.
