Lawsuit seeks to open Rainbow Family proceedings to public

DENVER — People flocking to a gathering of the Rainbow Family and who are now facing charges for camping without a permit and other charges are being tried in secret inside a cramped garage in a fire station parking lot, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday.

The lawsuit filed on behalf of Adam Mayo, a Colorado attorney who said he was turned away from the trials near Steamboat Springs, and William Randell III of New York, who is facing a trial, asks the U.S. District Court to order U.S. Magistrate Judge David West to hold the trials in public.

"The Rainbow Family chose a remote location for their gathering, and the government wanted to provide a court facility that would not be inconvenient for them," said Jeff Dorschner, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney.

A judge, 17 defendants and prosecutors fit inside the garage, and there is standing room for the public and the media, according to the Rocky Mountain News.

Dorschner said the trials are open to the public, but extra seating and standing room areas are "first come" and "first served."

Federal officials were considering building a public address system so more people could listen to the proceedings outside the firehouse, he said.

The lawsuit filed by David Lane, an attorney who also represents embattled University of Colorado professor Ward Churchill, also seeks attorneys fees.

About 4,000 people have arrived at the meadow north of Steamboat Springs for the event planned for next week that is expected to attracted some 20,000 people. The U.S. Forest Service denied the Rainbow Family's request for a permit mainly because of the fire danger.

Campers who were cited face fines of up to $5,000, but the typical fine last week was about $135. U.S. Marshals and Forest Service enforcement officers have arrested about 249 members for camping without a permit. Some also face alcohol and drugs charges.

The trials, which started last weekend are scheduled to resume Friday.