The American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont is criticizing the U.S. Forest Service and law enforcement agencies for what it calls overzealous policing of the Rainbow Family of Living Light’s gathering in the Green Mountain National Forest.
The ACLU says it has been inundated with complaints from Rainbow campers that police are running checkpoint-like stops, detaining people for minor infractions and subjecting them to drug searches without reasonable suspicion.
“We’ve also been told that people are pressured to consent to searches of their person, vehicle or belongings; that they are subjected to abusive and prolonged questioning by state, local and federal law enforcement; and that citations … for petty federal offenses on public federal lands are being issued,” the ACLU said in a statement.
The ACLU’s comments come a day after Gov. Peter Shumlin called on law enforcement to ease up on the participants at the gathering in Mount Tabor. The gathering is expected to draw 10,000 to 20,000 people by the time it culminates on July 4.
“I don’t want anyone harassed; I don’t want anyone hassled,” Shumlin said, according to WCAX. “Let’s live and let live.”
The Forest Service says it has issued 163 warnings and 144 violation notices, mostly for traffic and drug crimes, since the gathering began two weeks ago. The agency budgets $500,000 to police the event, which is held annually on Forest Service sites across the country. The Rainbows are a loose-knit collection of people who promote intentional communities and nonviolence.
In addition to the Forest Service, the Vermont State Police, the Rutland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Manchester and Bennington police departments have also worked at the gathering.
Forest Service spokesman Ethan Ready did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
This reporter spent time at the camp site last week and observed some light marijuana use, but no acts of violence or serious disorder.
Police kept a constant presence at the entrance to the camp, ranging from three officers to almost a dozen. At one point, a team of eight police officers walked in formation along a three-mile trail through the gathering.
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Hope the ACLU steps in, harassing people like this is not the Vermont way. Not to mention a big waste of taxpayer money
Welcome Rainbowers ! thank you for bringing your positive energy & good vibes.
celebrate in peace , enjoy your home in the woods
farmerdan
I have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Forest Service law enforcement agents for unconstitutionally prolonging my June 23rd traffic stop, without reasonable suspicion, for the unrelated purposed of investigating illegal drugs. The case number is 2:16-CV-184 in Federal District Court, Burlington. After being stopped for a minor violation, I was subject to a follow-on investigation for illegal drugs. I declined the original officer’s request to search my vehicle, then was subject to repetitive questioning from two additional Forest Service law enforcement officers, and one Rutland County Sheriff’s Deputy. The questioning lasted until K9 drug sniffing unit arrived, which ultimately found nothing.
The forest wasn’t made for 10,000-20,000 people. It’s a large disriptor of natural ecology and the environment at large. Gatherers have historically left trash and debris after the event, and there have been consistent issues with human excrement. The US Forest Service exists to ensure that a specific environment is preserved for future generation’s enjoyment. While I don’t condone illegal stops and seizures, I completely understand why people are so pissed off by this melarkey. Go back to California you damn hippies.
‘Thommy Taber’ says: “Go back to California you damn hippies.”
California is full of scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs who are substantially improving the world, putting extra time in day after day. It’s the tourists that behave destructively, leave trash and excrement and speed through neighborhoods not their own, destroying the environment in so many ways.
Every summer we have to raise the fines for littering and illegal fires and activities, paying law enforcement ever more from our property taxes to set up check points so that our lives aren’t ruined by a crushing DUI on the way to the grocery or returning to a burned out lot. We are lobbying to change the laws permanently. There are several solutions to mitigate the bad behavior by fringe elements – the simplest being registration and sign in with a list of rules for attendees, including stiff fines for fails and rewards for wins, including proper organization of events.
Last I checked, Vermont is not at war with California. Maybe just “Tommy Taber” likes to incite ill will veiled in non-productive complaints. If you want something done, try being solution oriented and let your local and national politicians know. Don’t start wars. #trumptroll.
The presumption of innocence no longer exists in this country. 2+2=5.
I expirienced a beautiful weekend at rainbow greeted with a thousand i love yous and welcome homes. When i arrived i went through 3 check points at which officers questioned me, surrounded my vehicle to look inside, scrutinized me for having my children in the vehicle. The only moment of pressure or negativity i saw all weekend was dealing with these officers who frightened mychildren and frankly myself too with their aggressive deminor. In the rainbow family i was only metq with kindness, love, and respect. ♡