A small group of protesters turned out over the weekend to protest Bohemian Grove.They are a small group but their charges are hefty. They blame the government for everything, from crime to conspiracy, but often have trouble getting along themselves.
Those who stood guard at the gates of Bohemian Grove had high hopes – that those attending the all-men’s retreat would pay attention to their concerns.“I am here at the Bohemian Grove event to protest against militarism and against imperialism,” said Charles Sullivan, a protester.“What’s happening here behind me at this place and others like it, decisions are being made that affect all of us, yet the people in there answer to none of us,” said protester Brian Hall.Certainly they came to the right place as far as trying to reach the rich and powerful.The more than 100-year-old annual conference has been attended by everyone from Dick Cheney, Newt Gingrich, Henry Kissinger and most male members of the Bush family.Bohemian Grove is located on the outskirts of the tiny California town of Monte Rio and for more than 30 years protesters have also been coming thru here to have their messages heard outside the gate.According to Anthony Hilder, it is the belief that many of those who attend Bohemian Grove are trying to reduce and control the population.“The oligarchy are trying to bring about a new world order,” Hilder said.“That means the abolition of society as we now know it.”Population reduction was just one of many claims and concerns by those who attended this weekend’s protest, aiming concerns at those inside. In the past the heads of major electric companies like Pacific Gas and Electric attended Bohemian Grove.A popular issue this year was smart meters – a new technology used by some electric companies that records and communicates electricity consumption.“We're referring to them as smart murder meters now, because people are getting very, very sick,” said Deborah Tavares, a spokesperson for Refuse Smart Meter.com.Bernice Heisler says radiation from smart meters has poisoned her daughter.“She’s been having severe pain, burning in her head above her ears like fires, she’s had palpitations of her heart.”Some say the men attending Bohemian Grove should be charged with murder.Though there is no evidence of it, they say rituals that take place during the cremation of care ceremony involve symbolically sacrificing children.“The killing of children whether ceremonial or in actuality is a crime," Hilder said.Down the road a bit, activist Mary Moore says she no longer attends the protests, even though she organized them for 31 years and has an office filled with information collected from the Grove.She says the new generation of protesters has made the real issue of what goes on at Bohemian Grove disappear.“There's no conspiracy happening up there,” Moore said. “It's just rich and powerful men talking to each other, exchanging information that you are I aren't privy to.”