Rainbow Gathering expected in Oregon

A loose-knit group known as the the Rainbow Family of Living Light is planning a gathering that could draw up to 20,000 people to Oregon from July 1 to July 7, according to a variety of sources, including law enforcement. It’s been held yearly since 1972, usually on remote sites, frequently on national forest land. While rumors have been consistent that it may take place in Southern Oregon, that’s not firm. “We don’t know where it’s going to be,” says Ashland Deputy Police Chief Warren Hensman. “At this point, we’re thinking perhaps Northern Oregon, but we have no idea ... It would take a lot of coordination to get that many people in and out of the forest, (and arrange for) water, sanitation — it’s a big job to coordinate something like that in two weeks, but we haven’t heard where it is.” The U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management concurs that they have not been given a specific location, but they are ready despite the fact they don’t believe the Rainbow Gathering has occurred in Oregon before. "Typically they choose National Forest Land,” says Jim Whittington of BLM. “They’ll make an announcement shortly. ... We’ll look at impacts and coordinate with other agencies to accommodate. It happens every year, there are a lot of people with experience working with this.” According a website associated with the Rainbow Gathering, they have been meeting on forest land since 1972 where they had a first gathering in Colorado. The purpose is described as a way of coming together to support the environment and peaceful negotiation with each other and the Earth...more