For attendees, the upcoming Rainbow Family Reunion in Plumas National Forest is an opportunity to celebrate community, peace, love and healing.
But authorities in this sparsely populated corner of California have a different word for the incident: impermissible, disruptive and potentially destructive.
That’s why the thousands of people expected to camp out at the early July event expect to have some company this year. The Plummer County Sheriff’s Office warned attendees that “there will be a large law enforcement presence” and that it has a “zero tolerance policy for any illegal activity or behavior that threatens public safety or natural resources.”
A U.S. Forest Service spokesman confirmed to The Times that members of a management team formed by the U.S. Forest Service have begun enforcing parking restrictions that prohibit people from parking more than one car from the road.
Despite the boycott, members of the Rainbow Family – many of whom have gathered from across the country for decades to celebrate – say they won’t change their plans. The celebrations will take place from July 1 to 7, with 2,000 to 8,000 people expected to camp at the site.
“It’s a community,” said Adam Buxbaum, 36, who has been a part of the community since he was a baby. “We go there on paper – and this is the truth – to pray for peace on the Fourth of July. That’s first and foremost, but secondly, we go there every year to spend time with all our dearest friends and family.
On July 1, 2006, members of the Rainbow Family arrived in Root National Forest, north of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
(Ed Andreski/AP)
Each year, the U.S. Forest Service calls attention to the event, noting that the Rainbow Gathering was denied a special use permit, which the agency says groups of 75 or more must obtain. Authorities also said participants engaged in public nudity, excessive drinking and drug use.
Buxbaum acknowledged that some people did not wear clothes, although he said it was “really weird to accuse people of acting maliciously.” He said nudity was prohibited around children’s play areas and alcohol consumption had been discouraged.
And the pot? He said some were passing on the grass while others were participating.
“We believe that as long as people don’t harm their neighbors, they should be allowed to express themselves,” he said. “The Rainbow Party is a legacy of the original hippies.”
Attendees are known to have built extensive infrastructure for the experience – including welcome tents, camping areas, outdoor kitchens and areas dedicated to medical needs.
Officials are warning Plumas County residents to expect traffic congestion and delays as more people arrive in the area. There are approximately 19,000 people in the area.
“We urge Rainbow House Party organizers and attendees to respect our community, residents and local businesses. Any illegal activity that causes harm or damage will result in appropriate law enforcement action,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote in a statement Wednesday .
Hillary Makin, a spokesperson for the Forest Service’s incident management team, said the agency’s top priority is ensuring the health and safety of participants and protecting natural resources.
“We have a major incident in a normally forested area and we want to make sure that important resources there are protected,” she said.
Buxbaum, who went by the party nickname “Finch,” called the movement “one of the longest-running acts of civil disobedience.” The Rainbow Gathering dates back to 1972, when the first Rainbow Gathering was held in Colorado. Every year since, people have gathered in different areas – but always outdoors.
Although Buchsbaum was frustrated by the continued presence of police, it did not diminish his desire to attend the event.
But attendance has been declining. In past years, 20,000 people typically camped. He said he would be surprised if it reaches 10,000 this year.
“A lot of people have stopped attending parties permanently because they’re tired of being raided and harassed every year,” Buxbaum said.
