Thanks to the Free Assembly Project for putting up court documents on their website. This specific excerpt is from a Hearing Transcript, 5 July '07 near the Annual Gathering in Arkansas with this comment: (NOTE: The accuracy of this official transcript is under review, yet to be determined.) The answers (A) are from from Gene Smithson. The questions (Q) are from Don E Wirtshafter.
Q Is there any ongoing training that officers receive in
19
1 crowd control?
2 A Every year we are -- we are going to be recertified in it.
3 Q Uh-huh.
4 A Yeah.
5 Q And what do you have to do to get recertified in crowd
6 control?
7 A You have to complete the course that the park police
8 requires you to complete. That's as per our agency's direction
9 we follow in accordance with their policies.
10 Q Is there anyone receiving training as part of their
11 participation in the National Incident Management Team?
12 A Every officer on the team.
13 Q They are receiving training credits for being out here this
14 week?
15 A Every officer on the team.
16 Q Can you describe a little bit about the training that
17 officers are receiving while they are here at the Rainbow
18 gathering?
19 A Basically they have received training in formations and how
20 to protect themselves, how to dissipate crowds, how to deal with
21 crowds.
22 Q And so there are trainers present here?
23 A Not today.
24 Q But present trainers at the national incident here at the
25 Rainbow gathering?
20
1 A Well, they have been here; yes.
2 Q And so the officer that stopped me, he would have also been
3 receiving training in these matters at the same time that he was
4 doing this traffic check point?
5 A If it was one of the officers assigned to my team, yes.
6 Q Thank you. Have we got those other stop check points yet?
Friday, December 11, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Thanksgiving Council 2009 Notes for Gathering 2010
'Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts.' - William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
Thanksgiving Council
Rainbow Noon
November 28, 2009
Hedgesville, West Virginia
Approx. 30 individuals
Om Circle
Feather is passed and individuals make introductions and Heartsong.
-----------------------------------------------------
Council on Bank and Mailbox:
Discussion on concern about transparency and accountability of bank. Consensus: NY Rainbow will hold the bank and setup a PayPal account for Gathering 2010 until Spring Council
NY Rainbow Post Office Box will be used for Postal Mail concerning Gathering 2010 until Spring Council A Banking Council comprised of three experienced individuals from the
NYC/NJ area, Bob from the Ovens, Joanee and Rick Purpleboy will handle the off-season bank and Gathering Mail until Spring Council. Other individuals can be added as advisers and/or observers. Green Energy sent by Postal Mail will be transferred via NY Rainbow's account to
the Rainbow Gathering PayPal account.
------------------------------------------------------
Scout Rendezvous Date:
Discussion on date and location of Scout Rendezvous addressed the large area consensed upon, on the land, at Vision Council in New Mexico, comprising the states of New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee and the logistics of this scouting effort. Council rejected suggestions of abridging or eliminating certain states from being scouted.
Consensus: Scout Rendezvous will be April 1, 2010 at the southern end of that range of states at a location consensed upon by individuals involved in scouting.
Council expressed it's confidence in the individuals scouting and it's trust in their judgment. Council also called for greater participation in scouting by individuals in those states consensed
upon. Individuals interested in exploring the forest can leave contact info on the following lightline: 908-I-Gather (442-8437).
-------------------------------------------------------
Spring Council Date:
Discussion on concerns about "seed camp" and "holding camp" involved speculation that an early "holding camp" could bring negative energy to the local areas ahead of the gathering. This raises social and environmental questions for the upcoming gathering. In addition, with such a possible broad range of sites, over 1000 miles end to end, there is a concern that a large holding camp in one region may draw energies away from better sites in another region. Also expressed was the need for a timely site announcement to accommodate for long distance travel plans.
Consensus: Spring Council June 4 - 6, 2010 at a location to be determined by consensus of individuals involved in scouting.
--------------------------------------------------------
Rainbow Press Crew:
The Council suggested that the individuals calling themselves the "Rainbow Press Crew" revise their identity. There is a key problem with the name: Calling it "Rainbow" Press Crew implies that it is connected to or an ongoing function of the (alleged) "Rainbow Family" as an organized group entity, and this compromises the gatherings. "Rainbow Legaliaison" was abolished in 1994 for the same reason. It was understood that this media initiative comes from a voluntary collective or affinity group that is independent, operating 'in the world' and outside the gatherings.
While the council cannot make any consensus or interfere with such efforts, it was the general sense of those present that the name should be changed to reflect this reality, and protect rainbow' from complicity. It was agreed to acknowledge and encourage this media initiative in the record, and to state these concerns... and a few participants agreed to follow up and communicate privately with the proponents, toward a workable solution. Council definitely wants the media to see all the peace, love, cooperation and heartfelt commitment going on at the gathering, to see the beautiful children, hear the singing, smell the food cooking and feel the good intentions. Support was expressed for individuals to continue countering incorrect reports about the Gathering by sending out their own reports.
--------------------------------------------------------
Other Discussions:
Since 2004 individuals have tried to negotiate a solution to the Forest Service Non-Commercial Group Use Permit requirements, but the "permit accommodation" largely failed: It did nothing to control law enforcement harassment of a peaceful public assembly, and still locked in the "Rainbow Family, et al." as a fictional 'group' party in the Operating Plans. Now the Forest Service again requires a signed permit, with official notice and meetings far in advance. There were no Forest Service Representatives present at Thanksgiving Council. Recent administrative changes in the Department of Agriculture and the Forest Service include a new Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, a new Under Secretary, Harris Sherman, replacing Mark Rey, as well as at the Forest Service, Tom Tidwell, Forest Service Chief and David Ferrell, Director of Law Enforcement DC Office. The hope was expressed that with these changes will come an extra effort, by all involved, to communicate and 'Walk, as well as Talk, the Path to
Peace' and mutual respect.
Also last January William "Doubting" Thomas of Peace Park, inveterate vigiler in front of the White House for 27 years, passed away. He was a pioneer in 1st Amendment policy & law, did important work as a Rainbow "Legaliaison" volunteer 1987-93, and with PCU_FAP (Free Assembly Project) for a few years thereafter. At the Memorial ceremony last March, his partner Ellen Thomas got a consensus among concerned folks in attendance to convey his 'Rainbow' research & legal files to a concerned individual.
---------------------------------------------------------
Council adjourns.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
'Strive to serve the welfare of the world; by devotion to selfless work one attains the supreme goal of life. Do your work with the welfare of others always in mind.' - Bhagavad Gita 3:19-20
Send all Postal Mail to:
Rainbow Gathering 2010
c/o NY Rainbow
P.O. Box 1554
New York, NY 10009
Checks or Money Orders should be written out to New York Rainbow with a memo saying 'gathering 2010' on the check. Contact by E-mail.
PayPal:
Send Green Energy using PayPal to gathering2010@nyrainbow.org and please use the 'Personal' option menu to name the transaction. Go to PayPal Help - How to send money for the link or for instructions.
'Treat the earth well, It was not given to you by your parents, It was loaned to you by your children.' - Native American Proverb
WE LOVE YOU!
Thanksgiving Council
Rainbow Noon
November 28, 2009
Hedgesville, West Virginia
Approx. 30 individuals
Om Circle
Feather is passed and individuals make introductions and Heartsong.
-----------------------------------------------------
Council on Bank and Mailbox:
Discussion on concern about transparency and accountability of bank. Consensus: NY Rainbow will hold the bank and setup a PayPal account for Gathering 2010 until Spring Council
NY Rainbow Post Office Box will be used for Postal Mail concerning Gathering 2010 until Spring Council A Banking Council comprised of three experienced individuals from the
NYC/NJ area, Bob from the Ovens, Joanee and Rick Purpleboy will handle the off-season bank and Gathering Mail until Spring Council. Other individuals can be added as advisers and/or observers. Green Energy sent by Postal Mail will be transferred via NY Rainbow's account to
the Rainbow Gathering PayPal account.
------------------------------------------------------
Scout Rendezvous Date:
Discussion on date and location of Scout Rendezvous addressed the large area consensed upon, on the land, at Vision Council in New Mexico, comprising the states of New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee and the logistics of this scouting effort. Council rejected suggestions of abridging or eliminating certain states from being scouted.
Consensus: Scout Rendezvous will be April 1, 2010 at the southern end of that range of states at a location consensed upon by individuals involved in scouting.
Council expressed it's confidence in the individuals scouting and it's trust in their judgment. Council also called for greater participation in scouting by individuals in those states consensed
upon. Individuals interested in exploring the forest can leave contact info on the following lightline: 908-I-Gather (442-8437).
-------------------------------------------------------
Spring Council Date:
Discussion on concerns about "seed camp" and "holding camp" involved speculation that an early "holding camp" could bring negative energy to the local areas ahead of the gathering. This raises social and environmental questions for the upcoming gathering. In addition, with such a possible broad range of sites, over 1000 miles end to end, there is a concern that a large holding camp in one region may draw energies away from better sites in another region. Also expressed was the need for a timely site announcement to accommodate for long distance travel plans.
Consensus: Spring Council June 4 - 6, 2010 at a location to be determined by consensus of individuals involved in scouting.
--------------------------------------------------------
Rainbow Press Crew:
The Council suggested that the individuals calling themselves the "Rainbow Press Crew" revise their identity. There is a key problem with the name: Calling it "Rainbow" Press Crew implies that it is connected to or an ongoing function of the (alleged) "Rainbow Family" as an organized group entity, and this compromises the gatherings. "Rainbow Legaliaison" was abolished in 1994 for the same reason. It was understood that this media initiative comes from a voluntary collective or affinity group that is independent, operating 'in the world' and outside the gatherings.
While the council cannot make any consensus or interfere with such efforts, it was the general sense of those present that the name should be changed to reflect this reality, and protect rainbow' from complicity. It was agreed to acknowledge and encourage this media initiative in the record, and to state these concerns... and a few participants agreed to follow up and communicate privately with the proponents, toward a workable solution. Council definitely wants the media to see all the peace, love, cooperation and heartfelt commitment going on at the gathering, to see the beautiful children, hear the singing, smell the food cooking and feel the good intentions. Support was expressed for individuals to continue countering incorrect reports about the Gathering by sending out their own reports.
--------------------------------------------------------
Other Discussions:
Since 2004 individuals have tried to negotiate a solution to the Forest Service Non-Commercial Group Use Permit requirements, but the "permit accommodation" largely failed: It did nothing to control law enforcement harassment of a peaceful public assembly, and still locked in the "Rainbow Family, et al." as a fictional 'group' party in the Operating Plans. Now the Forest Service again requires a signed permit, with official notice and meetings far in advance. There were no Forest Service Representatives present at Thanksgiving Council. Recent administrative changes in the Department of Agriculture and the Forest Service include a new Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, a new Under Secretary, Harris Sherman, replacing Mark Rey, as well as at the Forest Service, Tom Tidwell, Forest Service Chief and David Ferrell, Director of Law Enforcement DC Office. The hope was expressed that with these changes will come an extra effort, by all involved, to communicate and 'Walk, as well as Talk, the Path to
Peace' and mutual respect.
Also last January William "Doubting" Thomas of Peace Park, inveterate vigiler in front of the White House for 27 years, passed away. He was a pioneer in 1st Amendment policy & law, did important work as a Rainbow "Legaliaison" volunteer 1987-93, and with PCU_FAP (Free Assembly Project) for a few years thereafter. At the Memorial ceremony last March, his partner Ellen Thomas got a consensus among concerned folks in attendance to convey his 'Rainbow' research & legal files to a concerned individual.
---------------------------------------------------------
Council adjourns.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
'Strive to serve the welfare of the world; by devotion to selfless work one attains the supreme goal of life. Do your work with the welfare of others always in mind.' - Bhagavad Gita 3:19-20
Send all Postal Mail to:
Rainbow Gathering 2010
c/o NY Rainbow
P.O. Box 1554
New York, NY 10009
Checks or Money Orders should be written out to New York Rainbow with a memo saying 'gathering 2010' on the check. Contact by E-mail.
PayPal:
Send Green Energy using PayPal to gathering2010@nyrainbow.org and please use the 'Personal' option menu to name the transaction. Go to PayPal Help - How to send money for the link or for instructions.
'Treat the earth well, It was not given to you by your parents, It was loaned to you by your children.' - Native American Proverb
WE LOVE YOU!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Thanksgiving Council Information
THANKSGIVING COUNCIL is at
132 Titmouse Lane
Hedgesville, WV
In the West Virginia panhandle near Maryland & Virginia State lines.
Thursday, November 26 - Sunday, November 29
All friends and family are invited.
Come council on the 2010 Annual Gathering Of The Tribes.
There will be a Thanksgiving dinner so please bring food for the feast and food to share for the entire weekend.
Bring all things good:
Bedding, tents, tarps, a towel, a cup, a bowl, a spoon, a flashlight, lawn chairs and personal necessities. There will be limited indoor sleeping and cold nights so be prepared to camp out - bring your tent.
This is a private home, please do not arrive earlier than Wednesday afternoon.
DIRECTIONS:
From Interstate 81 take West Virigina Exit 16. Go west on Route 9 approximately 4 miles. At the traffic light in Hedgesville, WV stay on Rt 9 and go 9.1 miles. Make a right on Michael Chapel Road and drive 1/2 mile. At the crest of the hill turn left onto Titmouse Lane, go to the second house on the right - 132 Titmouse Lane. Phone number 304-258-0179.
WE LOVE YOU!
132 Titmouse Lane
Hedgesville, WV
In the West Virginia panhandle near Maryland & Virginia State lines.
Thursday, November 26 - Sunday, November 29
All friends and family are invited.
Come council on the 2010 Annual Gathering Of The Tribes.
There will be a Thanksgiving dinner so please bring food for the feast and food to share for the entire weekend.
Bring all things good:
Bedding, tents, tarps, a towel, a cup, a bowl, a spoon, a flashlight, lawn chairs and personal necessities. There will be limited indoor sleeping and cold nights so be prepared to camp out - bring your tent.
This is a private home, please do not arrive earlier than Wednesday afternoon.
DIRECTIONS:
From Interstate 81 take West Virigina Exit 16. Go west on Route 9 approximately 4 miles. At the traffic light in Hedgesville, WV stay on Rt 9 and go 9.1 miles. Make a right on Michael Chapel Road and drive 1/2 mile. At the crest of the hill turn left onto Titmouse Lane, go to the second house on the right - 132 Titmouse Lane. Phone number 304-258-0179.
WE LOVE YOU!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
T-Council is Coming Together
Rumor is directions will be available by next weekend and that folks are hoping to have a council site in Northern Virginia. Stay tuned!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Counsel on Council
Today's guest blog is courtesy of Jane
* * * * *
several of us from nerf, nyc, mid-atlantic and katuah have been working on getting a good site for the annual t-council. we have two major concerns in the decision-making process:
1. because the vision council included many states and differing geographical locations, a site for council needs to be in a place that is somewhat geographically central to as many folks as possible. this would make site selection best in west virginia or virginia. this will probably cut out the kind offers which we received from maine, new york, north carolina, tennessee and florida.
2. weather concerns. the last two times we had an eastern t council, they were held both outside, once in pa and the other in virgina. the pa site was cold, but it was sunny during the day. only reason we survived is we had three large army tents and several wood stoves. still...... it was way warmer when we counciled at the virginia site. however it had been a warm fall and those of us involved in the decision-making process were relatively confident that the weather would continue to be warm. it was. but still the nights were chilly. however, this fall has been unseasonably cold up and down the eastern coast and central plains. those of us in conversation have no reason to think that the weather will turn warmer. that old stand-by* the old farmer's almanac *agrees that thanksgiving day will be cold and that there might even be some snow flurries. so we are now looking for a site which will give us an indoor option. we are still looking for a site in the mid-atlantic area which has a building which we can heat with a wood stove or kerosene heaters. we need to have a site that can accommodate around 100 people both for counciling and sleeping. a summer camp might be ideal.
we also realize that we might need to create some green energy to manifest such a place any and all suggestions would be appreciated.
Email jane
* * * * *
several of us from nerf, nyc, mid-atlantic and katuah have been working on getting a good site for the annual t-council. we have two major concerns in the decision-making process:
1. because the vision council included many states and differing geographical locations, a site for council needs to be in a place that is somewhat geographically central to as many folks as possible. this would make site selection best in west virginia or virginia. this will probably cut out the kind offers which we received from maine, new york, north carolina, tennessee and florida.
2. weather concerns. the last two times we had an eastern t council, they were held both outside, once in pa and the other in virgina. the pa site was cold, but it was sunny during the day. only reason we survived is we had three large army tents and several wood stoves. still...... it was way warmer when we counciled at the virginia site. however it had been a warm fall and those of us involved in the decision-making process were relatively confident that the weather would continue to be warm. it was. but still the nights were chilly. however, this fall has been unseasonably cold up and down the eastern coast and central plains. those of us in conversation have no reason to think that the weather will turn warmer. that old stand-by* the old farmer's almanac *agrees that thanksgiving day will be cold and that there might even be some snow flurries. so we are now looking for a site which will give us an indoor option. we are still looking for a site in the mid-atlantic area which has a building which we can heat with a wood stove or kerosene heaters. we need to have a site that can accommodate around 100 people both for counciling and sleeping. a summer camp might be ideal.
we also realize that we might need to create some green energy to manifest such a place any and all suggestions would be appreciated.
Email jane
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The Mini Manual
The Rainbow Gathering Mini Manual is a cooperative project sometimes subtitled: Suggested Wisdom Culled from Years of Experience and/or Trail & Error.
If you ever picked up a Rainbow Guide at a gathering, then you've probably read the Mini Manual. It tends to evolve over time, but if you've not read it, I suggest you give it whirl. There's a good copy up at Rainbow Guide Info in html format and a PDF version available from the left menu if you like it enough to print copies and give to your rainbow friends.
If you ever picked up a Rainbow Guide at a gathering, then you've probably read the Mini Manual. It tends to evolve over time, but if you've not read it, I suggest you give it whirl. There's a good copy up at Rainbow Guide Info in html format and a PDF version available from the left menu if you like it enough to print copies and give to your rainbow friends.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
On Anarchy, Trust and Green Energy
One of the beautiful aspects of the Rainbow Gathering is that no one is in charge. Truly no one person or persons are in charge of any aspect of the gathering. It is an amazing experience to participate with all the other personalities, conflicting visions, and general chaos to see us come together as a family.
While the lack of hierarchy creates wonderful opportunities for learning and growing, it also creates opportunities for scams and ripoffs. So what's a starry eyed rainbow person to do?
First off, be very wary when people ask for green energy (aka cold hard cash). Donations to the gathering-wide magic hat can be made at dinner circle daily or at Info most of the rest of the time. Individual kitchens may have their own can at their kitchen for green energy donations directly to them. Once Thanksgiving Council comes up with a mail addressing and a pre-gathering banking council, donations can be sent to the 2010 gathering c/o what ever info we get. This information will be available some time after Thanksgiving Council.
There are a couple of reputable online donation collections for CALM, Water Pipe and filtered water. If you're not sure which ones are legitimate, I personally can vouch for the online links contained in the following blog posts:
New Mexico Drinking Water (includes filters and/or water pipe).
Medical Stuff/CALM
I don't have a public donation place at present for the Rainbow Guide or Always Free. But if you're interested in donating to these two long time projects, email me and I'll put you in contact with the folks currently on the councils for these projects.
If you see requests for donations anywhere else, double and triple check with long time family to ensure that the green energy you share goes where you want it to. If you're not sure who to contact, email AGR and ask for a personal reply - that's a list serve full of long time gatherers who can verify any other requests for green energy.
That's about it. Don't give money to people you don't know (except for what is listed above) unless you don't care if it goes into their own pocket.
While the lack of hierarchy creates wonderful opportunities for learning and growing, it also creates opportunities for scams and ripoffs. So what's a starry eyed rainbow person to do?
First off, be very wary when people ask for green energy (aka cold hard cash). Donations to the gathering-wide magic hat can be made at dinner circle daily or at Info most of the rest of the time. Individual kitchens may have their own can at their kitchen for green energy donations directly to them. Once Thanksgiving Council comes up with a mail addressing and a pre-gathering banking council, donations can be sent to the 2010 gathering c/o what ever info we get. This information will be available some time after Thanksgiving Council.
There are a couple of reputable online donation collections for CALM, Water Pipe and filtered water. If you're not sure which ones are legitimate, I personally can vouch for the online links contained in the following blog posts:
New Mexico Drinking Water (includes filters and/or water pipe).
Medical Stuff/CALM
I don't have a public donation place at present for the Rainbow Guide or Always Free. But if you're interested in donating to these two long time projects, email me and I'll put you in contact with the folks currently on the councils for these projects.
If you see requests for donations anywhere else, double and triple check with long time family to ensure that the green energy you share goes where you want it to. If you're not sure who to contact, email AGR and ask for a personal reply - that's a list serve full of long time gatherers who can verify any other requests for green energy.
That's about it. Don't give money to people you don't know (except for what is listed above) unless you don't care if it goes into their own pocket.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Planning for Thanksgiving Council is in Progress
Sunday, July 12, 2009
To the east we go
Consensus was reached at 4:40 pm July 9th, 2009 in Vision Council at Venado Parque meadow, New Mexico for the annual Rainbow Gathering, July 1-7 2010 to be held in New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina or Kentucky.
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