Anti-war and immigrant rights activists confront the power elite at Bohemian Grove

Every July on a secured 2,700 acre compound along the Russian River, the richest of the rich converge to network with other members of the ruling class for two weeks. Only men are allowed to join the elite club. The Bohemian Grove, founded in the late 1800s, is nestled in one of the largest stands of old growth redwoods in Northern California. It acts as a playground for these policy makers as far away as possible from the workers and poor, who create all of the wealth that they enjoy.

Ex-presidents, military leaders, corporate heads from all the major media conglomerates, arms manufacturers, and

Photo: Bill Hackwell

so on are members. Haliburton, Bechtel and Weyerhaeuser officials get to marvel at trees over 1,500 years old in the grove, while sharing notes on their neoliberal policies that have laid waste to much of the world’s environment.

While this pro-imperialist, anti-worker gathering took place last weekend, hundreds of protesters converged at the gates of Bohemian Grove to draw attention to the expanding war and occupation against the people of the Middle East and the war here at home. Despite the intense heat, demonstrators came from all over Northern California to attend the demonstration.

Organized by the Bohemian Grove Action Network and the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), the protest was a way for organizations to network for future actions. ANSWER filled a bus from San Francisco. Another bus, organized by Veterans for Peace, came from Garberville.

The opening rally featured the Native Resistance Drums and Cora Lee Simmons from the Round Valley Indians for Justice. Mary Moore, from the Bohemian Grove Action Network, welcomed the protesters. Other Speakers included Gloria La Riva, National Committee to Free the Cuban Five; Adam Villagomez, Native Resistance Drummers and cousin of Leonard Peltier; Peter Phillips, of Project Censored; Calvin Gipson, from Glide Memorial Church; Richard Becker, the West Coast coordinator of ANSWER; and Casimiro Alvarez, the regional director of the United Farm

Photo: Bill Hackwell

Workers.

Alvarez called on the need for the progressive movement to be unified in their different struggles. The UFW has launched a boycott of Charles Krug and Mondavi wines. Mondavi recently fired all of its long-term workers and replaced them with sub-contracted labor to avoid paying benefits.

The mile-long march into the grove was stopped by dozens of California Highway Patrol officers just before the gates to Bohemian Grove, but that did not prevent the strength of the demonstration from being heard inside. Before the protest returned to the rally site, participants agreed that the next step in confronting the war makers was Aug. 12 in San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.