Rainbow family members claim harassment by police
Some attendees of the Rainbow Gathering in the Jemez Mountains say authorities ruined their vibe when they started handing out citations.
About 80 people who attended the counter-culture event had their day in court Monday. Most faced citations for minor violations.
Law enforcement officers have recorded more than 370 incidents, including 120 violation notices, over the past week as people flock to the Santa Fe National Forest for the Rainbow Family of Living Light's annual gathering.
Rainbow man Stephen Principle said the crackdown hurt the morale of some attending the event.
"They start feeling harassed and oppressed - and that vibe starts building. instead of peace and harmony," he said.
Forest officials said that 1,500 participants are camped in the Parque Venado area east of Cuba. In all, between 10,000 and 12,000 people are expected to attend the gathering in July.
Forest Service spokesman Lawrence Lujan says most of the violation notices handed out since June 14 are related to alcohol, and drug and traffic violations.
Rainbow woman Rozella Bowen says she was unfairly targeted by police.
"I honestly think it was unreasonable because I was pulled over to the side of the road and when I opened up my door that's what they cited me because my door was over the road, and they said I was obstructing traffic," she said.
Authorities say they weren't out to ruin anyone's time—they just want to keep everyone safe.
Rainbow people say the official start of the gathering is July 1 and ends July 7, with the big group events on the fourth.
Authorities say they'll keep an eye on the activities.
