The Rainbow Family of Living Light gathering, a counterculture festival held annually for over 50 years, is being shut down by the U.S. Forest Service due to a lack of proper permitting and concerns over environmental impact. The festival was set to take place in California’s Plumas National Forest over the July Fourth holiday but has been ordered to be dispersed by forest officials. The event, which typically draws thousands of attendees, has been described as an “unauthorized noncommercial group use incident” by the Forest Service.
The Rainbow Family gathering was founded in 1972 and is known for its hippie commune vibes, with attendees camping out on public land in a similar fashion to Burning Man or a Grateful Dead concert. Despite efforts by some attendees to minimize impact on the environment, incidents and arrests have occurred at previous gatherings, leading to conflict with law enforcement.
Local officials have expressed concerns over the legality of the event, potential fire risks, environmental impact, and disrespect shown to local tribes. The Forest Service is working to minimize adverse effects from the gathering on the local community, resources, and environment. Lassen County Supervisor Jason Ingram has praised the decision to shut down the event, citing concerns over safety and environmental impact.
Overall, the shutdown of the Rainbow Family gathering highlights the ongoing tension between counterculture events and authorities, as well as the challenges of balancing individual freedom with environmental stewardship.
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