This is the story of the 2002 Gathering craziness

The location was released late because of all the problems with the feds. Harrassment. They throw us off the seed camp space putting up signs that it was an archeological sight. They tried to scatter the Family by saying it wasn't going to happen and telling people looking for the sight that everyone had left. We eventually arrived on the main site. Lesson: Don't believe rumors of cancellation.

Set up for Yoga Healing Arts Camp at the 2002 national Rainbow Gathering. We were on the hill next to DunDun Villiage/Jah Lioness and Warriors of the Light. The Family was working hard to get everything ready for the main Gathering. Lots of long days and hard work. Then the feds came in and said it was an archeological sight and that we should move (back to the last place they threw the Family off). Treachery? The site we were on was a lumber mill in 1897, and had a few buildings built around it which they called a town. It was just like the area where they have a local campground down the road. Hypocrisy?

They log that area every few years, yet we were destroying "archeological" sites. We had an archeologist at the council and he gave his opinion of how much gas was in their "archeological site". They were trying to use that in the press to gain support to throw us off the land, but at the Town meeting, the people wanted us to stay, they were enjoying the surge in their economy. We counciled and consensus was to stay and focus on more important issues like safe drinking water and sanitary shitters.

 

We waited peacefully for them to come the day they said they would. And we asked them to council. we circled and talked, but as were were there, Rangers were up the trail tearing up tents, running four wheelers through kitchens, harrassing people and confiscating peoples possessions. When we learned of this everyone took off to save what they could.

Everyone left the hill except Montana Mud. Hours of time wasted and much work moving, but we did it with the help of each other and with Love. We think their plan was to next move us from below. But they spent so much time hasseling with Montanna Mud they never were able to. Montanna Mud fought the front lines with the feds, while down below was much more at peace (though muddy).

We found a new place next to our family at Simply Wonderful. And started set up again 6 days later. It was a smaller space but now the gathering was much smaller as well. We made the best of it and it was beautiful.

We only missed one day of classes because of the move. We were up and sharing the most high at our new location.

Back to Main Page	Random Pictures from 2002