Rainbow House Invaded

On Friday, September 17th, at around 5:00 in the afternoon, The Rainbow Peoples Party House was invaded by the Washtenaw County Sheriff Patrol and an under cover snake from Madison Heights.

My first reaction was, no, not again, but then I thought, "Yes, again!" Cool, I had soap all over my face, couldn't see, ran to my room and then I did see-- about 12 plainclothesman marching single-file up the stairs. We greeted each other with less than friendly expressions and I decided to check out the scene below. Downstairs were uniformed police--two at every door. "What is going on?" I asked. Someone in the house informed me that they had brought a search warrant with them composed of a list of stolen property from Madison Heights! (I've never even been to Madison Heights.) The list of stolen property was incredible: four different rifles, a television, a record player, a typewriter, a slide projector, a camera, and a wooden chime clock. The places that the police "searched" were even more incredible: in tiny boxes, under beds, etc The whole scene was really bizarre.

As soon as we found out exactly what was going on (Police harassment), we began telephoning anyone we thought would be of aid, and just anyone else we knew would come and support us. Immediately lawyers, reporters and friends arrived, appalled at the display of expensive suits and crash helmets (not to mention pistols, and night sticks), and just what was happening in general. Throughout the house, the police diligently searched hoping to "seize, secure, tabulate, and make return" on the property listed. They took down serial numbers on our fire hydrants and mimeograph machine and found absolutely nothing that they were looking for. In the meantime, the mayor returned our call and told us that if the police didn't leave within a reasonable time after their search to cali him back.

Outside, lots of community people and friends stood around watching, not understanding why the whole thing was even happening. Our brothers and sisters next door played "Volunteers" full blast the whole time, One of the police looked at our friends out in front of the house and remarked, "We get more popular every time we come here"-- if they only knew. It was an hour and a half of total craziness. After the police left our lawyers advised us to sue for "malicious intent". We are following that advice -- ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!