California State Greens and others called for the 25th annual protests against the Bohemian Grove from Friday, July 15th through Sunday, July 17th in the Sonoma County Russian River community of Monte Rio. (Report) Every year, elite members of the Bohemian Club in San Francisco gather for two weeks of revelry and "throwing off the cares of the marketplace" among the redwood groves along Sonoma County's Russian River. The club's members include many Presidents, past and present. George H.W. Bush and Donald Rumsfeld are both members, as well as the late Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, and every Republican President since Herbert Hoover, except the current inhabitant.

Protest organizers say that the root of the Grove's power is the men who support the efforts of "their' presidents, like they have with the current war and occupation in Iraq. Critics say that these gatherings are anything but the innocent camaraderie among a group of men who happen to carry the cares of the world on their shoulders all year and just want to party for a couple of weeks. Corporation executives and owners at the highest levels have gathered with prominent men in politics at Bohemian Grove and built networks that critics say sustains their acquisition of power and wealth throughout the year.

Events:
Friday, July 15th Protesters greeted the Bohemians as they made their way to the Grove - A vigil and evening drum circle were held from 11am to Sunset Friday evening, followed by overnight campout.
Saturday, July 16th: Protest March and Resurrection of Care- People gathered at 11am across from the Monte Rio Theater and marched to the Bohemian Grove Gate for an afternoon counter ceremony performed by members of the International Treaty council. Vigiling, protest, speakers, entertainment, conversation, and free food were part of Saturday evening's planned overnight campout.
Sunday, July 17th: A A Green Convergence for Peace, about global justice, anti-corporate resistance, ecological defense, called "What We Can Do About It" was be held from 10 A.M.-6 P.M.

Past Indybay Coverage of the Bohemian Grove: Report from 2004 Bohemian Grove Protest Coverage of 2003 Protests: Video | Photos | Audio Interview

News Release from CA Greens | Audio about the protests | Interview with organizers Paul Encimer and Don Eichelberger | CA Greens' Bohemian Grove Page | Sonoma County Free Press Bohemian Grove Website