Benefits of Hosting a Rainbow Gathering

Environmental Benefits
Spiritual Benefits
Health Benefits
Law Enforcement Benefits

Allen Butcher Following are cited anecdotes from various sources. Those ending with "(Niman 1997, p.#)" are found in "People of the Rainbow: A Nomadic Utopia" by Michael Niman, University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville: 1997. Please contribute additional cited material, and support methodic Rainbow Gathering impact studies on local towns.

Economic Benefits and Remedies for Business Problems

Chuck Hayes. 1986. "Missouri Sheriff Remembers 'Leftover Hippies.'" "Warren Times Observer," (PA) June 20: One storeowner (Viburnum, MO) told the newspaper that he logged $35,000 to $40,000 in additional sales during the one month the Rainbow People were in camp. A grocery storeowner said there had been some shoplifting in his store, but a representative of the Rainbow People gave him a check to cover most of his losses. (Niman 1997, p.177)
John Myers. 1990. "Store Booms with Rainbow Business." "Duluth News-Tribune," (MN) July 2.: "I hate to sound like the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, but they really have been great," (storeowner) Barb Puch said. "We haven't had any problems." (Niman 1997, p.177)
Marie O'Holloran. 1993. "Somewhere Under the Rainbow." "Irish Times" (Ireland).: The 1993 European Gathering in Ireland "" has amazed and intrigued the local community, who have heaped praise on the (G)athering which has brought much needed business to the area." Officials hoped to use the Gathering as a magnet for developing tourism. (Niman 1997, p.177)
Jack Becklund. 1990. "Uffda." "Cook County News-Herald," (MN) May 28.: A lot of media attention will be focused on Cook County and Grand Marias. How we as hosts behave under the glare will determine in large part whether we gain a long range benefit in tourism. It doesn't pay to go around telling visiting reporters that you hope the mosquitoes and flies will carry off the entire encampment. " Call 'em neo-hippies or counter-culturalists, they have at least one thing in common with most of us who live in Cook County. They enjoy the woods and have determined, after considerable study, that Cook County's the best place to go camping and spend a summer vacation in all of Minnesota. (Niman 1997, p.157)
Modoc National Forest. 1984. "Reports" (government document).: Rainbows volunteered to wait tables at the Most Likely Café in Likely (CA), easing the workload on overburdened waitresses. One Rainbow sister stayed after the Gathering, having landed a job as waitress there. (Niman 1997, p.176)
"Modoc County Record." 1984. "On the Rainbow Family "," June 21.: At the 1984 Gathering (CA), Rainbows gave form letters to the department of social services, directing any Family members who might wander that way over to the Gathering, where they would receive food and shelter. (Magic Hat money often finances the departure of destitute stragglers at the end of cleanup, assuring that they can leave the community and not stay as a burden.) (Niman 1997, p.175-6)
Michael P. Lee. 1984. "Rainbow Family Gathering 1984." Modoc National Forest. (Government document.): Forest Service survey of local business people. Jerry's Restaurant - Volume of business definitely increased. According to Johnson (manager), "Our restaurant made good money while the Rainbows were here". All three shifts were up. Johnson said the Rainbows were well mannered, well educated, very patient, and good tippers". Beacon Coffee Shop - "They were nice, well behaved and good tippers" The restaurant had no regular customer complaint about their presence. Texaco (station) - Hunter (attendant) felt the station had little problem with the Rainbows, they were generally nice people. Early on they used the restrooms to bathe, and the station was "constantly cleaning" them " (and) "Dumpster Divers" " (were) objectionable to his patrons " The station chose to lock the garbage bins, and post "Customer Use Only" signs on the restroom doors. Rainbows honored the signs. (Niman 1997, p.176)
Michael P. Lee. 1984. "Rainbow Family Gathering 1984." Modoc National Forest. (Government document.): We told the Rainbow's law enforcement organization, the Shanti-seena (sic), to either control the shoplifters or the store would prosecute. The Shanti-seena posted one person outside the store and monitored the numbers. Another local businessperson recommended that colleagues "utilize the Rainbow security force, the Shanti-seena. They're very helpful." (Niman 1997, p.121-2)
Grey Bear. 1990. Interview by Michael Niman.: Grey Bear spent two days performing Shanti Sena duties (including) directing parking and traffic at the Clearview General Store during the 1990 North American Gathering (MN). He never referred to himself as a member of "the Shanti Sena," but as "a friend of Jeff," the store's owner. (Niman 1997, p.122)
Environmental Benefits
Andrew Colaninno and Dale Dunshie. 1988. "Report of Regional Rainbow Gathering - Allegheny National Forest August 20-28, 1988. (PA) Sept.": The District obtained 300 Chinese Chestnut seedlings and fence material. The trees and fence were delivered to the trailhead where they were brought down to the site by Family members. Over the next few days, all 300 seedlings were planted and fenced throughout the Gathering area, along the Queen Creek valley, and along the FR 552 parking area". assisted by several Family members who had planted trees professionally on F.S. contracts. The quality of the work was very high and the care taken with the trees was exceptional. In general, this proved to be a very enjoyable experience for the Family members who participated and a unique way of accomplishing beneficial wildlife habitat work for the District. Similar cooperative projects have taken place at Gatherings in Vermont and New York in 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1995. (Niman 1997, p.173-4)
Michael Hallinan. 1978. "Family Members 'Healing" Umpqua Forest." "Roseburg News-Review," (OR) July 13.: Forest Service wildlife biologist Gertsch said, "Family members taught the Forest Service a new trick, burying 'willow waddles' (wattles) in wet areas of the meadow." Gertsch explained, "The bundles of willow branches soaked in water would sprout, providing vegetation to stabilize the soil." (Niman 1997, p.173)
Umpqua National Forest (OR). 1978. "1978 Rainbow Family Gathering Environmental Analysis Report.": It is likely that some of the rehabilitation work planned in terms of grass seeding and de-compaction will improve portions of the area within the Big Camas parking area that have been previously overused. (Niman 1997, p.172)
"Great Falls Tribune." (MT) 1976. Editorial - "Rainbow's Promises Kept.": Lloyd Swager, Forest Service district ranger, who, describing the cleanup after the 1976 North American Gathering in Montana, said: "It's still amazing to me. We searched that area with a fine tooth comb, including the parking lot and we couldn't come up with anything. Not even a scrap of paper." (Niman 1997, p.172)
Don Teter. 1980. "Two Days of Rainbows." "Tygart Valley Press," Elkins, WV, July 9.: Refuse from the gathering was carefully collected at several stations, separate containers being used for compostable garbage (which was later buried), recyclable metal, glass, and burnables. The metal and glass were carried out to be recycled, although much of it did not come from the Rainbow Gathering, but had been left by previous campers. The Rainbow Family will leave the campsite much cleaner than they found it." (Niman 1997, p.172)
Steve Bishop. 1985. "Flower Children May Bloom on ANF." "Ridgeway Record." (PA) Oct. 30.: Bruce Platt of the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri, host of the 1985 North American Gathering, said, "It looks better, quite frankly, than it did when they arrived." (Niman 1997, p.173)
"Duluth News-Tribune." (MN) 1990. "Officer Fights Rainbow Family Fears," June 5.: Lake County undersheriff Harold Paulseth admitted to a local community meeting that Rainbows leave the forest in better shape than the Boy Scounts. (Niman 1997, p.173) Note: When bears later unearthed buried compost and trash at the site of the Minnesota National Gathering, the Minnesota Rainbow Family called a Counsel the following spring to return to the site and again clean the area. (See Niman 1997, p.172)
Rick Holloway. 1984. "The Rainbow Fades "" "Modoc Record," (CA) July 12. And Danielle Toussaint. 1984.: "In the Aftermath of the Rainbow Gathering." "Chico News and Review." (CA) July 26. After the 1984 North American Gathering the local press reported Rainbows were removing trash dating back to the 1950s. (Niman 1997, p.173)
Bob Clever. 1986. "Only Footsteps and Money." "Tionesta Forest Press." (PA) July 9.: Forest ranger James Schuler stated that the Rainbow Family members "are the most environmental(ly) conscious people I have ever dealt with." " a local game officer and a deputy sheriff stated they were "" very much impressed by the neatness of the entire area"," noting "" that cigarette smokers stripped their butts of paper and filter for proper disposal before recycling the remaining tobacco to the ground." (Niman 1997, p.173)
David J. Wright. 1988. Letter to Richard Hernan, District Attorney, (PA) August 15.: (In response to the planned 1988 Regional Gathering on the site of the 1986 National Gathering.) Our experience with the Rainbow people during their Gathering on the Allegheny National Forest in 1986 demonstrated to us that they do care for the land. In 1986 they faithfully carried out all stipulations to protect the environment as listed in the operating plan that had been agreed to by both parties. No significant or adverse environmental damage occurred to the Gathering site. I personally visited the site two weeks ago and found it to be in very good condition. (Niman 1997, p.176)
Bruce L. Slover, District Ranger, Brownstown Ranger District, 608 W. Commerce Street, Brownstown, IN 47220. September 16, 1991. Reply to 2300 USDA, Forest Service, Wayne-Hoosier National Forest. Letter to Allen Butcher (Focalizer).: "Water, Singing on the Rocks requested a letter about the recent Gathering ". As we have already reported internally, we were quite pleased with the attitudes and actions of the participants in general. At no time did we perceive any significant problems. The Family was clearly aware of the possibilities of environmental degradation and made obvious efforts to protect the site.
The major item to improve is that of giving the local ranger district advance notice of the impending Gathering. Such notice allows us to conduct surveys for threatened and endangered species of plants and animals as well as cultural resources. In this case, we conducted a plant survey with tents already in the area.
Advance notice allows us to schedule Forest Service personnel . In this case, we scheduled personnel from two other units . Such rapid scheduling disrupts the lives of our employees and their families.
We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with many of the people at the Gathering and we very much appreciated the cooperation we received throughout. We hope you consider this particular Gathering a success story; we do.
Note: The situation in North Carolina at the end of the 1987 North American Gathering involved state and federal government harassment of the cleanup crew, as part of attempts to prevent Gatherings in following years. With site cleanup prevented, the Forest Service created a video of the trash and unnaturalized campsites for presentation at later background briefings of Forest Service personnel and local elected and law enforcement officials. (Niman 1997, p.174)

Spiritual Benefits
Michael P. Lee. 1984. "Rainbow Family Gathering 1984" (Forest Service document.) Modoc National Forest (CA): They (Rainbows) have strong ethics ". They respect the earth, nature, Native American(s), and opinions of individuals. (Niman 1997, p. 196)
Gatherings expose otherwise isolated populations to diverse lifestyles, offering a crash course in cultural pluralism, anarchy, and a congeries of alternative lifestyles and spiritual beliefs. (Niman 1997, p.174)
Each new Gathering, taking place in a different geographic region, brings the Rainbow message of peaceful coexistence to a new audience. (Niman 1997, p.183)
(I)n 1990, Quebec Rainbows discouraged nudity at their regional Gathering in the belief that such nudity offended area Indians (although the local Tribe never actually complained). On other occasions Rainbows avoided Gathering in areas that were cherished by locals, detoured traffic away from residential roads, and so on. (Niman 1997, p.182 and 236)
"New York Times." July 7, 1980.: More than 100 local residents turned out " in Richwood (WV), to see a Rainbow Family slide show, which was followed by questions and answers. While some were a little stunned by such Rainbow exotica as a young man who introduced himself as 'Water Singing on the Rocks,' the meeting ended with Rainbows and Richwood residents alike joining hands and singing the old hymn "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?"
Later, upon the execution style killing of two young women hitch-hiking their way to the West Virginia Gathering, thousands of Rainbows and locals came together on July 4th, with local citizens stating, 'We love you, we are not those people.' (Niman 1997, p.179) (Note: The killers were later found, convicted and imprisoned until their recent release.)
Health Benefits
Jarbidge Ranger District. 1989. "Reports and Publications." (Government Document.): (T)he Family does not advocate the use of hard drugs or alcohol and supports the rehabilitation of anyone addicted. (Niman 1997, p. 190)
(R)eporting of Rainbow Gatherings ignores their successful detoxification and drug/alcohol rehabilitation programs. In a media environment habitually producing stories of innocents going to Rainbow Gatherings and getting turned on to dangerous drugs, stories of addicted persons going to Rainbow Gatherings to get off drugs just don't fit. (Niman 1997, p. 167) Note: Members of A Camp ('A' for alcohol or anarchy) sometimes seek drug and alcohol cessation help from CALM health staff. Since Rainbow children are encouraged to speak their minds, the Council discusses and acts upon issues like child molestation instead of sweeping them under the carpet. Rainbows teach children that they are important, and they know that adults will listen to them. There is a healthy dialogue between generations. (Niman 1997, p. 204)
Michael P. Lee. 1984. "Rainbow Family Gathering 1984" (Forest Service document.) Modoc National Forest (CA): State government officials in California looked toward the Rainbow infrastructure as a model for the possible resettlement of San Francisco residents to the countryside in the event of an emergency. (Niman 1997, p. 204)
Joseph Wetmore. 1990. Letter to Heatsong, Sept. 17.: The 1990 North American Gathering Council (MN), with about two hundred people present, consensed to a policy stating that nobody could be turned over to law enforcement or mental hygiene officials without Council approval.
"We the Tribal Council of the Rainbow Family do declare that as a sanctuary, we will not turn people over to the authorities, police, or mental health system regardless of how abstract their behavior may be.
We hereby establish a "well being center" to deal with crisis situation beyond CALM and Shanti Sena capabilities. ".." (Niman 1997, p. 123) Note: As the "Well Being Center" planned was never created at any Gathering, consensus on this issue has been lost. See Niman page 125.
Law Enforcement Benefits
Hannah Miller. "The Arizona Republic." July 9, 1998. "Rainbow Family Nabs Suspect: Florida Police Alert Group via Website.": Hannah Miller 444-8222 or hannah.miller@pni.com http://home.earthlink.net/~kzirk/scroll/Arizona/0709rainbow.html " (I)n the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, " the Rainbows' unarmed peacekeepers captured a suspect wanted in a brutal Florida murder case. "In my long law-enforcement career, this is something I have never seen happen," said Sgt. Jim Morse of the Apache County Sheriff's Department. " Rainbows called in sheriff's deputies, who arrived to find 25 members of the Rainbows' security team, the Shanti-Sena, standing in a ring around Joseph Giebel, who was bound in a blanket. " After they learned that Giebel had attended past Rainbow Family Gatherings, Key West police made a shot in the dark. They sent a description of the suspect and information to the Rainbow Family's home page on the Internet, and apparently their warning was heeded. " (web maintainer's note: email me for more details on this) Local police aren't guessing as to how the Shanti-Sena, an unstructured organization that carries no weapons, captured Giebel. "The entire operation was very coordinated," Morse said. "They had already in effect handled this when we arrived." The Shanti-Sena " which includes many military veterans, has policed past gatherings successfully. In recent years, the group captured a rapist at the campground, binding him with duct tape and turning him over to police.
William Schmidt. 1982. "Holdover Hippies Meet for Their Annual Fling." "New York Times.": One officer stated, "Back in the '60s, people like these used to call you 'pig,' " But these people here come up to you and say, 'I love you, officer,' or 'Officer, have you been hugged today?" (Niman 1997, p.198)
Candy Laflam. 1989. Message Scan. (Government document.) June 16.: Rainbow Gatherings have become popular with some Forest Service employees. For the NERF Gathering in Vermont in 1989, all the law enforcement slots were filled, with the local Forest Service compiling a stand-by list for law enforcement personnel volunteering for the popular assignment. (Niman 1997, p.199) (Note: Law enforcement officers sometimes get a reminder of the limits of the law.)
Don Hopey, Staff Writer, "Post-Gazette." Pittsburg, PA. Sunday, July 4, 1999.: " The Rainbow Family's annual be-in features thousands of people, music and light in the forest" http://www.post-gazette.com/regionstate/19990704rrainbow1.asp
Checkpoints and roadblocks used at the Rainbow's 1996 gathering in Missouri bought the government agency a federal lawsuit that was decided in the Rainbows' favor last week. Noting that the gauntlet of checkpoints at the gathering of 15,000 uncovered only four felony drug cases worth pursuing, Senior U.S. District Judge Russell Clark said targeting the group was unacceptable and ordered it stopped. "Subjecting Rainbow Family members to a 'shakedown' to achieve ignominious results," Clark wrote in his opinion, "should strike fear into any citizen who values ... personal liberty." Rose Davis, a Forest Service spokeswoman with the National Incident Management team, said checkpoints hadn't been used since 1996. She said police patrols through Friday had issued 147 violation notices, the majority for traffic violations. " She knew of no felony reports.