Update 8/23: If you are traveling to the Burning Man event, we’ve sent out detailed information about what to do to prepare for your drive and any encounter with law enforcement. We are encouraging participants to safely record their interactions with law enforcement officers (do not hold your phone in your hands while driving).
If you’ve made a recording of an interaction with law enforcement en route (safely, please!), name the file with your name and the date (e.g. “Kelly_Burner_08-23-18.mp4”) and upload it to a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. Please email the link to that file, along with your full legal name and address and the date when the encounter occurred to traffic2018@burningman.org.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, is conducting intensive law enforcement operations on Highway 447 in Wadsworth and Nixon. Many of these stops progress into lengthy vehicle searches, and they are using dogs to inspect vehicles. We’ve been told this operation will continue throughout the week and possibly into next week, when the Burning Man event is officially underway.
While we respect and appreciate the important work of law enforcement, we are greatly concerned by the real and potential negative impacts of this surge in activity.
Over the next seven days, we anticipate more than 60,000 people will drive Highway 447 on their way to the Black Rock Desert. The frequency and intensity of stops is already having, and will continue to have, negative implications and effects. We have shared all of the following concerns with the BIA:
- Black Rock City Operations. The BIA traffic stops have already caused delays for our operational leadership and public safety staff reporting to work onsite, and they have caused significant delays in infrastructure deliveries. If these delays continue, it could impact our ability to provide key public services at the event.
- Public health and safety. Traffic stops on Highway 447, which has no shoulder, create a hazard for drivers and for public health and safety officials. This is why we have worked with agencies including the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Bureau of Land Management, Nevada Highway Patrol, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Pershing County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nevada Department of Transportation to prevent delays. Now trailers and trucks are being unloaded and searched by BIA agents, and drivers are left to reload vehicles on the side of the road. In the coming days, artists, theme camps, and mutant vehicle projects will all arrive with carefully loaded vehicles and trailers, and these traffic stops may cause significant delays and roadside hazards.
- Traffic congestion. BIA did not do any advance planning with Burning Man or NDOT. We have reason to believe BIA has not thoroughly considered the impact this will have on traffic in the region. If the current rate of stops continues as the volume of travelers increases significantly over the coming days, traffic could back up to I-80.
- Negative economic impact on the tribe. The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe is already hearing calls to boycott local businesses. Burning Man does not support these efforts and wants to continue having a robust positive economic impact on local communities.
- Lack of coordination with state agencies. It is our understanding the Nevada Department of Transportation was not consulted or notified before this operation began, and coordination with Nevada Highway Patrol and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office was minimal or nonexistent.
Some of the purported reasons provided for the traffic stops include: driving over the posted speed limit, not stopping at the line at a stop sign, crossing the centerline or a tire touching the centerline, partially obscured license plates, not using turn signals, dim and non-functioning lights. These stops often involve police dogs and lengthy vehicle searches, and we have received numerous reports that the police dogs often provide false alerts. We have also received numerous accounts from our staff, contractors and volunteers that they were not breaking any traffic laws when they were stopped. Given the large number of individuals who have reported being stopped when they were not violating any laws, we believe these tactics are overly aggressive, unconstitutional, unnecessary, pretextual and unacceptable.
You might be wondering why this is all happening. So are we. We think the BIA’s efforts to target our community as we prepare for our annual gathering on public lands are misguided.
While BLM law enforcement has conducted aggressive traffic enforcement in past years on Gate Road in Black Rock City, this is the first time the Burning Man event has been targeted for an operation of this magnitude on public highways. The BIA stops appear to be pretextual and not based on actual violations of law. Event organizers and many regional law enforcement agencies were not consulted or notified in advance, so there was no possibility of any planning to mitigate impacts on the local communities and on event infrastructure.
The Burning Man organization does not condone any illegal activity. We urge our participants to obey all local, state, and federal laws, and we appreciate the role of law enforcement. We are also, however, very concerned about the current and potential safety and operational impacts of the Bureau of Indian Affairs operation, particularly as we ramp up to our busiest time on site.
People who are stopped on their way to or from the Burning Man event are invited to complete our Law Enforcement Feedback Form. Whether the experience was negative or positive, we would like to hear about it.
This is super unfortunate. Seems like they are deliberately trying to ruin the event for us by purposely causing delays. I’ve read that the BIA is conducting a big operation to stop opiate trafficking and fake opioids on native land. But why target burners? And do they really think lots burners use opiates? Either way we are being profiled and our rights abused. What can we do? Does anyone have any experience in the last week being pulled over and if so are they just harrassing people or specifically looking for illegal substances? In a perfect world I’d like to think law enforcement was pulling more people than normal over to look for weapons and whatnot for our safety. But obviously they are doing the opppsite. Please respond with any experiences or input!
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Every citation generates hundreds of dollars. That’s why they are doing it. You can spend less in Nevada to make up for it. And tell people you are spending less.
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This is NOT Nevada law enforcement. Financially boycotting local economy does absolutely nothing to fight this.
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You are talking about regular traffic stops by tribal police, which might not be pleasant, but complaints received were never about unconstitutional stops or searches. These are not tribal police and this isn’t about ticket revenue, it’s about arrests, searches and seizures.
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These are federal agents. Fines are federal, and will not enhance the state of Nevada’s income resources. No win for NV here.
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More details released today.
This enforcement activity is a direct result of the tribal council inviting the BIA police to have a “presence” this year.
Quote from the Reno Gazette:
The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Council in the past month approved a memorandum of understanding that detailed the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ plans to have a law enforcement presence this year on the tribal land, according to tribal officials. The BIA initially proposed the memorandum to the tribal police, which then presented the agreement to the council.
The tribe declined to provide the document, and the BIA has not responded to repeated calls for comment. It is unclear what the duration of the agreement is, and its purpose.
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Good luck to everyone! Hope for the best.
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This is about money and power…. the power to make money by using authority illegally in bad faith powered by hate with drugs being the excuse. Once it was being Jewish… same hate… same tool… same emotions used to control thug minded individuals to achieve a goal. It’s easy to see as with today’s technology and even the technology available decades ago the authorities at the top know where the opium grows, who grows it, and how it comes into the Country, These are training exercises… with animals at both ends of the leash.
What about June 9, 2009? That says it better than I ever could regarding the illegal actions and goals of law enforcement in the US. All I can say is what happened and show why it’s connected to the greatest event in physics to ever happen…. so far. Knowledge is power first and foremost and you can’t steal that fortunately. And Nature will protect it’s Freewill with a vengeance: (e{a})/t=E
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John Hendry, you are exactly right in my opinion.
Not to throw on the wook-wook woo-woo juice too terribly much, but isn’t it becoming high time “burners” took steps to distinguish themselves as a protected class in some way?
Not in a religio-guru-mindfuck sorta way but, you know, deliberately and with as much legal protection as groups I won’t bother mentioning in public to avoid a subpoena…
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ruining it for me. This is the MAIN reason I won’t go to the even anymore.
We go to the middle of 100+ in the shade desert so that we CAN smoke weed and NOT bother anyone, assholes. LEO GTFO of BRC
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“Financially boycotting local economy does absolutely nothing to fight this.”
I disagree. Although it’s very sad that these local businesses will lose the revenue that they make to likely sustain them for a year, it is the locals that must take a stand. They can refuse services to these guys. Refuse to sell them gas – the BIA. Refuse to sell them groceries. Refuse to sell the BIA coffee & donuts. Refuse to sell them hotel rooms. Do they sleep? Do their cars need gas? Refuse them. It’s in the local businesses right to refuse to serve. If they can’t get gas to pull you over & have to drive clear to Reno for it….
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“We go to the middle of 100+ in the shade desert so that we CAN smoke weed “, If that’s your main reason for going to Burning Man, you may be pleased to know that there are now plenty of places to smoke weed that are not miles into the desert with much cooler weather, such as California, Oregon, Washington and even Nevada (in your private residence). Ironically, weed is not legal in Federal lands like where Burning Man is.
Not telling you what to do or not do, just that if weed is your main reason for being there, and you are upset about the hassle and the heat, there’s other places you can smoke weed now. If Burning Man is about way more than weed, if it’s about art and community and stuff you won’t see anywhere else and people you wouldn’t meet, then maybe don’t whine so much about weed.
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think there is any legal issue with KRATOM? ground green powder. legal in most states, including Nevada…….
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Im wondering the same thing.
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There is no Federal recognition or outlawing of it yet.
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Absolutely all the local enforcement agencies and governments know what is going on and cooperate. If the local highway patrol commander and sheriff asked them to tone it down they would.
It’s naive to think otherwise.
If you boycott the reservations and the local counties, if not the whole state, and tell people in charge-politicians-why you’re doing it, word will get to the responsible managers who will call off the dogs.
Money talks.
Contact the Dept of interior and b of Indian affairs leadership too.
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This is the current administrations sop. Perhaps a a futile class action suit may be started if enough victims organize. Other than that we can all vote blue in November to slow down this agenda. Actions speak louder than words and this administration keeps proving that.
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I agree in part. Not Trump, they won’t let him fire Sessions yet. But I believe crusader Cannabis Jeff Sessions is making the call or at a minimum can stop it. Record record report and file suit. Spend NO money on reservations or in towns. Clearly the tribal counsel are liars they approved the actions of the tribal police and Indian agents.
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This is just the Trump Administration, that little elf named Jess Sessions, and their appointed head of the Dept. of Interior, Ryan Zinke, trying to hassle the Burning Man event and make it miserable for everyone involved.
The BLM wouldn’t/couldn’t do their bidding so now the BIA has no problem doing it. Fun for the BIA to skew from their mission of hassling native people, and instead go after hippies for a few weeks.
They don’t care about what the NV Hwy Patrol, NDOT, BLM, the Paiute Tribe or anyone else thinks.
This is what happens when people don’t vote, demagogues come in to mess up a good time. Everyone should consider voting in the mid-terms so we can get one step closer to getting rid of these fascists.
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End the Burn. It’s time. In honor of Larry & with the LEO’s completely out of control. It’s time to end it.
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move it to a more friendly location and lower the price of admission .. maybe break it up into three day passes so ppl that are not rich and have to work can attend. Also needs to be in a weed friendly area so no one gets arrested for what is legal in so many places.
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DO NOT CONSENT TO A SEARCH. DO NOT CONSENT TO A SEARCH!
I have to question the legal authority behind the BIA doing what it is doing. The duty of BIA law enforcement is, “…to uphold the constitutional sovereignty of the Federally recognized Tribes and preserve peace within Indian country.” In the current action they are acting as an extension of Tribal police. In Oliphant v. Suquamish Indian Tribe, “… the Court (US Supreme Court) concluded that there was an ‘unspoken assumption’ that Tribes lacked criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians.” The BIA action against non native Americans is illegal. (Congress voided part of that decision only in instances of domestic violence and when the victim is a native American.)
DO NOT CONSENT TO A SEARCH. DO NOT CONSENT TO A SEARCH!
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Thank you for reminding many “Burners” of the actual law!
However it has not prevented the dept of interior under the direction of Ryan Zinke of bringing in non indiginous people to the AZ Tohono Odam resrvation and The Gila indian reservation to help the President
with “drug busts”. I live close to these reservations SW of tucson and it has become militerized by Border Patrol and Ice and I find it abhorant.
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If your on the reservation then be careful. Federal land. Federal laws. BIA might as well be FBI. that’s the difference here.
All reservations have a zero tolerance for alcohol.
White man laws don’t go around here! lol. True story.
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I am a tribal Court advocate and can assist burners who have been stopped and cited. My email is iwrightbryan@aol.com or my cell is (775) 343-5442. I’ll be setting up a table near the nixon gym.
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Call to make compliant about the BIA harassment on hwy 447 call Congressman Mark Amodei Washington DC office 202-225-6155 Reno 775-686-5760. Senator Catherine Cortez-Mastro W 202-224-3542 Reno 775-686-5750. Vinton Hawley Chairman of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe 775-574-1000. I called all. Instant staff available to listen. Be sure to be charming and point out all the economic good that BM brings to Nevada.Calling all Burners who are at home not at BM start calling. Burn ON!
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If you are from out of the area then you may not know that the oliid and meth problem in the Reno area is very bad. Take a drive along the river by Walmart and a cruise through downtown. You will see. Many people.are inconveniences I know but it’s because of actions of others before and after you. Also, when on reservation land you are on non USA land. Tribal lands are self governed and not actually part if the USA as that is sovereign land. Basically small independent country. Criss their lands, accept their rules. They do have the right to close access to everyone wanting to cross or be on their land totally.
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I will simply stay out of Tribal land in the future. My money will stay out also. They put their filthy dog in my new car that has never had even so much as a cigarette in it. I am as allergic as F to dogs. I had to turn around and find a detailer with a ozone machine before I could see and breath enough to drive home. Fuck the Tribes! They have made it clear that they don’t want my business. I will never again go burning, till the venue is moved.
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I am about as far left as you can get but I think Burning Man is an event for a bunch of self-centered privileged idiots. I find the name ironic since this event will contribute significantly to global warming. Get a clue and do something for society or the planet.
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Simple fix to this problem…move the event out of Nevada. It’s readily apparent they no longer want BM revenue for their state. Don’t even consider Cali.. Perhaps Utah or Arizona.
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Utah? You are familiar with the state of Utah correct?
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Utah has an exceptional regional event. Is that what you mean about Utah?
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Lol yea utah laws BLOW. You cant even order a double shot there. They literally have to walk over to you holding 2 shots. Watch you take the first one before handing you a second one. On top of that you cant serve liquor without it being electronically measured out to a perfect 1.5 fl oz.
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Look . At. The. Dakotas. Lots of land and lots of people looking for any source of income.
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I don’t think that is a simple fix. For one it’s not Nevada state police who are messing with the burners right now, it’s the feds and none of them even live in Nevada. We are all used to the BLM and the local police and they mainly don’t mess with people to the extent of what is going on right now with the BIA. No matter where burning man is located the feds will patrol the roads unless it is in a private location for up to 70,000+ that is not anywhere near Native American or public land. Try finding one. Not easy. And we can’t let these feds that are abusing their power and infringing on our rights to win. I’m sure the feds wouldn’t want us trying to take their gun rights away! But they view the event as a cash cow and don’t respect the culture we have. Not always the case with other law enforcement agencies. This is a huge travesty and I really hope the BIA gets called out and punished in the courts. It’s devastating being accused of a crime and being terrified of driving to the burn before I’ve even left even when I’m not doing anything wrong. Please share any experiences with the BIA! Power in numbers fellow burners!
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Correction: all land in North and South America is Native Land.
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I don’t get where the BIA is getting the legal charter to inspect non-rez vehicles, either.
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its not nevada law enforcement.
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I know, I said it isn’t Nevada LEO in my post. Lol
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Why not Cali? Best state in the 50.
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Best weather, and according to Brian Wilson best girls, but legally? This place is a total hellhole, and absolute liberal wasteland. I doubt that an event as freewheeling as BM could take place in California.
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It would be even easier just to finally end it. It’s gone on too long.
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Same with Christmas…
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I agree, the Burn should now end.
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This is not about Nevada or BLM not wanting us here. The article says that this operation was done without notice or the cooperation of state or local authorities.
And we don’t need to camp on federal or government land for federal officers to pull jurisdiction and stop, search or arrest us on federal charges. But the issue is do they have probable cause. And if they are abusing power here, they could easily abuse their power wherever we go.
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British Columbia Canada would welcome all :) … when it is not actually burning.
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Well thats bullshit. 75% of the goers would never even make it across the border.
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Definitely a possible solution
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@Dogknee, this has little to do with the state of Nevada and everything to do with the Trump Administration. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is a federal agency htat is part of the Dept. of the Interior, whose head is Ryan Zinke, an appointee of Trump. Moving locations does nothing unless you suggest we move the event out of the country.
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Alaska 2019!
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If only the people that run Burning Man though the same as you. I can speak for quite a few poeple here locally…we would love to see this event moved somewhere else. Please go already.
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That’s funny
Utah. The dry Mormon state where alcohol and tobacco are restricted and many areas of the state totally dry on allowances.
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BIA can suck my burnhole.
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If you don’t want the Bureau of Indian Affairs coming after us, than vote and get these Republican jerks out of office. This is a direct result from Trump getting elected and his appointee to head the Dept. of the Interior, Ryan Zinke, directing BIA to do this.
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Funding for all this comes out of Congress, and top of the BIA totem pole is a different Montana boy, Senator Jon Tester (D) to be exact. He’s up for re-election this year as well
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Vote. And help get others to vote. This might be the end of it if we dont start participating politically, locally in home town and national elections. If this isn’t in your face enough yet, imagine what next year will be like if this goes unchecked.
How important to you is it to be a voter?
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MAGA!
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Ew.
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Go troll somewhere else
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My Attorney Got Arrested…
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MAGA=my attorney got arrested
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Agree. VOTE VOTE VOTE the bastards out !!
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I didn’t know that all burners are progressive democrats. It’s that in the 10 Principles?
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No, there are a bunch of libertarian jerks out here too. This is the Trump Administration directing Ryan Zinke, their appointed head to the Dept. of Interior, to have Bureau of Indian Affairs. That is why folks are saying we should vote.
This is a direct result of the 2016 elections. Trump and Jeff Sessions gave us one extra year to get their bearings before they decided to drop the hammer on Burning Man.
If we can survive this onslaught by the Fed, we’ll be much better positioned in the future.
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There is no left and right, no Republicans and Democrats. There are simply haves and have-nots, the former of which control the systems that divide the latter, so they can become the have-mores.
Follow the money, not the partisan constructors.
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With the whole LEO thing, this is getting stupid. I have been going to the Burn for well over 20 years. I’m done. This has really put a downer on the whole Burn vibe. This is my last year, saying good-bye at the Temple… to Larry and the Burn in general this year. Cops are killing it for me
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Can’t help but feel the same. Last visit. The oppressive police presence in BR City and their military parades (dressed-up as memorials) terrorize the population. The VAST majority of “police” are not decent humans.
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What about BM doing a crowdfunding to purchase land to make the burn private.
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You still have to drive there publically….
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This is happening before getting there. In any case, a large event such as this would likely require a business license and land use permits, even on private land. Think of any large public gathering such as a concert or a football game, and there are going to permit requirements for uniformed law enforcement.
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Falsely elected politicians running militant police. These are the GOP’s rendering of the SS and Gestapo. Of course they would target the power of radical acceptance that BM embodies. I fear we’ve barely seen the start of this and even more agressive insanity.
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lol burners who think we’re all progressive democrats.
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lol at people who claim to be a burner and aren’t progressive
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So we’re all the same.
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I’m with this guy. Not everyone has the same views out there. The same people preaching love everyone get pretty hypocritical when guns or meat come up XD That being said…..the burn is either done for or it’s coming back stronger than ever next year. Guess we will see!
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V O T E !!
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Time to buy your own land?
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Ya, shoutout to all the billionaires, that go to burning man. Spend some pocket change and buy new land to allow burning man on. It will be your own kingdom, you’ll love it. The Feds or Private billion dollar organizations that basically run America anyway. I enjoy burning man, but will I be totally distraught if it ends for good? No, and neither should you. Bring the 10 principals into your actual life, and if you won’t or don’t because of your corporate life, You were never a burner to begin with.
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What are they going to do, buy the highways?
Best to just vote out the bums doing this: Namely Republicans. Vote Democratic.
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Then they’d actually have to remediate the land and not just let it “heal”.
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Crowdfunding to purchase land to make BM private. I’ve been saying this for years….
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They will still hassle us on the way there…
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Burning Man already owns private land (north of the Playa we know) but doing the event on private land would not alleviate these problems. In fact, the year the event was held 100% on private land is the year that the local sheriff confiscated all of BM’s money…literally sent officials to collect gate receipts (back when you paid at the gate). Private land still fits under local law and experience hath shown that its actually easier working with federal land and working in advance with agencies with clearly defined missions, cooperatively. This sounds like an agency that got a bug in its bureaucratic bonnet and is behaving in an unanticipated way. I am sure the organizers (our ticket price at work!) are working overtime this year to reign this in before Sunday…
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I’d just like to thank you for being the one levelheaded person commenting in here, all the fearmongering I’m hearing is useless.
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Nicely said
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if it is federal law enforcement that is doing this, i believe it may be a direct order from the AG. we know his position on drugs, including marijuana. and many uninformed people think that this event is a giant drug-fest.
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Yes this is probably coming directly from the AG Jeff Sessions. Hate that guy.
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This has been escalating year after year. This year the BIA is to blame. The last several years it was LEOs in general onsite creating havoc. BLM, Forest Service, supposed UC DEA each of which is a federal agency. These guys volunteer to work there and look forward to the event as some of them have told me. One new sheriff to blame with some of his statements about wanting to stop nudity if children are present. Seems to me the Org attempted a lawsuit against Pershing county for raising the cost of law enforcement. What came of it? More harassment.
Yes, this is Nevada’s fault. They need to step up and take some action.
If they don’t do something it will continue to escalate year after year. Who will be the culprit next year? INTERPOL?
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Space Force : ).
The BIA said the orders came from “the Top.”
I prefer to think they meant that cheeto colored shit gibbon in the Whitehouse.
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Lol…I forgot we will soon have that too.
Maybe we will get a parade with it.
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Fuck the police! I’m coming in hot from Reno tonight with a speedball in my head. Any of those pigs want a fight, they can have it. I’m driving a Bounder RV with the Burning Man logo all over it in duct tape. Come at me pigs!
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Best. Comment. Ever.
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That’s the spirit man, don’t let these swine give you any guff!
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Go get ’em Sparkey
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Funny how nobody has mentioned Trump. It’s all his fault as well as the spineless GOP who are so afraid to stand up to him. The people he has put in positions of power are walking all over our rights and everyone is too afraid to say anything. Time to vote in November. The BLUE wave needs to wash all the shit away, far away!
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Amen to that!
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This isnt about the GOP, all government is corrupt. Just look at Hillary, Obama, Bush, they are all a bunch of frauds monkeys. Money rules everything around us, political party aside.
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Dude, the administration matters. This is directly from Zinke screwing with the BIA mandate. From Sessions and his Prohibition ideas.
Whine all you want, but under Obama the feds got less invasive but Republicans still exist.
Today this is entirely Republicans’ fault. They control all branches of the government and appointed the guy making this change in policy.
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HOW FUNNY…since BM has become nothing but a playground for the rich elitists…if us poor slobs who used to attend with our little tents, reasonable ticket prices and happy little camps (not big arse diesel pushers spewing noise and air pollution and chartered fly ins from Reno) and not much else, the LEO’s wouldn’t even be bothering…BM jumped the shark along time ago…Org got greedy and ruined it along time ago
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Its the head of the council, Vinton Hawley, PLPT Tribal Chairman, appeal to him, he seems to want to show the world what a big shot he is. https://www.facebook.com/numuboinabe/
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I recommend to stop by and see vinny the chair guy and Express yourself to him about bia cops..
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I always enjoyed the daytime drive from Fernley to BRC. Magnificent scenery. After I got to Gate Road I suddenly realized that I totally missed the view of Pyramid Lake because I was concentrating so much not to make the slightest error which could result in a stop and search.
It totally ruinef a fine, relaxing drive. I never have used illegal drugs, but the thought of all my belongings being unloaded on the roadside during a fishing ecpedition search definitely has a chilling effect.
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Its horrible how much this impacts people who just want to stay legal. I ran straight through a red light in the UK years ago, due to a mobile speed cam setup right in front of it. I would DEFINITELY not have done that had I not been freaked out about a stupid speeding ticket and watching my speedo to ensure 30 instead of 31 instead of the road.
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The view isn’t great and it’s basically similar the entire drive. There will be minimal enforcement after bm is over and the scenery will be the same
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Idiot, you are full of shit, you can’t see the lake if traveling from Fernley to BRC.
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You’re both wrong and being a dick the same time.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9205074,-119.381027,3a,75y,226.98h,86.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sHx-P6K6aRt7VrefQZrkoZw!2e0!7i3328!8i1664
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Has anyone contacted the ACLU?
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No, but I put up a bat-signal
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Oh just so you know, ALL the scanner traffic for Washoe county has mysteriously become unavailable, Never seen that before.
It’s like a third world country over here cutting off the internet,
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For years I have supported local tribes on my trip to and from the BM event and also other First Nations entities. Arizona is also on my list of tribes where I purchase tribal goods online and donate to their causes. Because the BIA is being so aggressive in their BM action I have decided to stop supporting the tribes and the First Nations entities. Yes, this is a boycott because of the BIA insensitivity to how their actions are affecting the very people they are suppose to be supporting.
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Wow, you are such a good person! No please we want your money come baccccckkkkk
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Read a little history: the BIA has *never* been on the side of the tribes.
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Learn a little bit more history. ‘Self Governance’ became BIA policy under Clinton over twenty years ago. Thing can and do change. Under Democratic Administration, tribal desires were followed and tribes helped install many BIA staff. My dad was one of them, put there by the tribe he worked for after being loaned out to dozens of other tribes.
This new change is from a Republican Administration backed by a Republican Congress. Voting Democratic is the only way to stop it.
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First Nations is Canadian. These are native Americans. I traded beer I got free at brc for Indian taco tostadas and soft drinks. Yummy!
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I suggest that if the traffic backs up far enough that we assure that the main highway is shut down by the back-up.
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If that happens I think everyone should start walking towards oncoming traffic…that will show them!
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Burning Man should seriously consider relocation of BRC.
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the org should move to private land and give the gold brickers the big finger. show them that heavy handed enforcement is unethical and let them dry up. it would also give the event a much needed change up.
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Have they considered moving to location where organ Eclipse was last year? Wasn’t that private land?
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That was a shit-show, and that region is completely unable to handle the hordes that came through. Moving from one region to another is pointless, and private property doesn’t stop PD from coming in when the crowd is at our size.
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The Burning Man Org has been supporting this tribe with solar, financially for local scools and clean up. I think this donation to this community/Tribe should be suspended and the Black Rock solar removed until this activity stops. I would bet the US federal Attorney under the Trump administration’s responsible for this. Expect no changes until Trump is removed from office of the four years are up.
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So your solution is to get trump out of office just cause the feds are squeezing in on our people ,well now you know how the American Indians felt and any other group of people that have been oppressed and second how do u You know you well get someone better than trump I know I sure don’t want Hillary I like my freedoms to owns guns and to go to burns simple solutions is to boycott the Hwy they are stopping people on if the burner traffic isn’t there then they can’t stop us we just find alternate ways to get there just have to stay one step ahead of the feds
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Dear, what did Hillary ever do to you?
Administrations matter. Under Clinton, ‘self governance’ became BIA policy. Look it up.
Right now, this change inpolicy is led by a Republican appointee supported by a Republican Congress and backed by a Republican Court. So yes, voting Democratic would change this.
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>Expect no changes until Trump is removed from office of the four years are up.
It will be just over 6 years until he’s out of office. MAGA!
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MAGA = My Attorney Got Arrested
#magaSUCKS
#guilty
#lying
#TraitorTrump
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Who let the Russians in
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This is not about the republican party as much as it is an incredibility corrupt president…. We need to get him outa of the WH
Yes politics are plagued by corruption but never this blatent….
Maybe this administration and lame, spineless congress will finally be the the impetus for desperately needed reform.
I’m not a republican nor a Democrat!
, these issues are not about politics but about human decency…, Trump is devoid of anything remotely close to this….
Let’s mobilize and get this clown out of office and all those who support him
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If no “Blue Wave” in Nov. midterms, you can kiss your freedoms farewell. V O T E !!!!
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Ironic… Nixon… Wadsworth… Sutcliff all have huge drug problems. If the BIA used the same amount of resources on these communities there would be an uprising.
I’m not skipping Indian Tacos as a boycott this year. I’m not spending a dime on tribal land Because why would I want to spend one more second there than I absolutely have to?
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The Indians stole their recipe for tacos from the Mexicans. Indians just don’t want white folk to have fun. They’re still upset over the genocide. GET OVER IT! You’re lucky we gave you any land at all. Plus, you’re all drunks. Get out of our way!
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Yoooo, fuck you!!
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Whoa dide. Too far. I hope you don’t identify as a Burner, cuz that kind of talk is bullshit.
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Simply ignorant!
Saddly, trump, as a person not as a Republican, has only made this kind of hate more acceptable, shameful!
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First burner to honestly state how they all feel. Refreshing.
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The railroad runs right along the edge of the Black Rock. Maybe it’s time to explore how to utilize that resource to take a lot of pressure off of the highway. It’s a big enough event that our pooled resources could make that a financially viable option.
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This guy’s onto something.
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It’s a pretty busy line but excursion trains cn get booked. It could revitalize the towns, too. We have to box things into our local Burn, so it is doable if weird.
It’d be a multi-million dollar investment for the station and train rental and then busses and flatbeds to deliver participants, tho.
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This is precisely the wrong response from BMOrg. I get the fence-straddling posture you’ve always taken with law enforcement, but as a lawyer, it’s not going to work anymore. What you SHOULD have told attendees is to film all their interaction with LEO, to state loudly and repeatedly that they do NOT consent to any search, and ask the officers to state on the record whether they are free to leave and to articulate their probable cause under “Belton” if they attempt to conduct a search. Meanwhile the org should be contacting the ACLU and seeking an injunction in federal court restraining these searches. Making nice with bullies never works, especially not bully cops. You need to make it very clear your participants are not a safe target for revenue raising and you WILL make their life a living hell with lawsuits if they try it. THAT’S how you deal with Law enforcement harassing people,not mealy mouthed blog posts
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Magorn is correct. Also, as far as searches are concerned, they cannot extend to the persons of the passengers in the vehicle—unless there is a reasonable suspicion they are armed and dangerous, in which case a pat-down may be conducted. Just saying…
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Exactly. And BMorg should be providing us with more details regarding the actual interaction with law enforcement… Are the individuals frisked? Are women safe from the behavior of the law enforcement? Is there property destruction? What specifically are they looking for? What happens if they find it?
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If they find what they’re looking for, individuals are arrested and have a hearing scheduled.
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I agree with article’s sentiment that we Burners should be supporting the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe whenever possible. Except…
In this case, the Reno Gazette Journal reported (link below) that the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Council itself signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bureau of Indian Affairs over these policing operations, and declined to provide the reporter with a copy of that document.
So at this point the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe seems complicit, and worthy of a boycott, until proven otherwise.
Link: https://www.rgj.com/story/life/arts/burning-man/2018/08/20/reno-burning-man-2018-traffic-stop-tribal-land/1042447002/
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So, let’s say all this Heavy Hand BIA Injun Evil Paiute Council Shenanigan Trump Up Hyper Politico Antiwoman Anti Whiteguysinvans crap is true… YOU ARE CROSSING A SOVEREIGN NATION. Ya know how drunk frat boys take selfies of themselves humping statues of banana republic dictators, then cannot BELIEVE they’re getting caned bloody on local TV? That’s another perfect example of Failure to Acknowledge Sovereignty. If there’s something you don’t like about a sovereign nation, consider turning around and LEAVING. Sovereign Nations can cut deals with whoever the eff they want, and you have absolutely no say in the matter whatsoever. Further, you don’t deserve a say in it. Get over your bad self. Take the long way or skip it altogether.
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Can someone please tell Elon Musk to call in a favor without Trump and stop this?
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Call our fine representatives and let them know how you feel about it
Heller Dean U S Senator
(775) 686-5770
Representative Mark Amodei
(775) 686-5760
They are supporting this administration!
Let them know if they are dong a good job bringing money to Nevada. Nevadans are not in support of this sort of abuse, don’t take it out on us, take it out on our power hungry administration.
Dial away
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Please call these numbers!! Just called and calmly complained. I was just the 2nd call they had received. Told them I come from California and buy supplies in Nevada – until now. Will top off fuel in Ca and buy supplies here. As a group Burners are well educated and have disposable income. Lets show them they’re fucking with the wrong people
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Called, left message. If I knew the LEO increase was going to be this out of control, I certainly would NOT have purchased a ticket. I’m done. This is my last Burning Man
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Good riddance!
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The residents of the reservation towns (Nixon) arent exactly supportive of Bureau of Indian Affairs presence either. The BIA is a US federally occupying force on sovereign land. Native American residents have been dealing w this for eternity. A boycott will have little impact on the decision to stop this operation of harassment and shakedowns.
Perhaps the Dept of Interior is operating under different, more credible threats. As burning man has been more visible, it has become a target for ‘lone wolf’ and other terrorist attacks. Think of the Las Vegas country music festival shooting. Or last weeks mass shooting. I have strong doubts about that theory for sure. This all seems like practice though. Like they are using this dept and this event and this opioid crisis to conduct mass scale searches and document checks to be rolled out in other regions. Its our turn: white middle class people—people of relative privilege—to see our reaction. What if we do nothing? People of color and other socially and culturally marginalized groups have endured these tactics for generations. What did they do? They rose up, organized, and changed a history of oppression.
When we are back home, i think we all better have a conversation amongst ourselves, our families, and neighbors. And I say this not to guarantee that burning man will always have a playground in nevada, but to civically engage in our political systems in the same capacity’s and enthusiasm that we dedicate to burning man itself. Despite the party of privilege we attend, there is a real constitutional threat to US citizens and international travelers on our hands.
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The local businesses have power. Refuse to sell BIA gas, refuse to feed them, refuse to sell them hotel rooms. If BIA has to drive clear to Reno to get gas & supplies. Refuse to let them use the bathroom. Boycott selling services to the BIA! Local businesses need to stand up.
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This sounds like solid action! Who do you recommend calling, or how do we start?
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Exactly. This goes beyond BM. Be the voice and action in your communities. Get the vote out in Nov. or you can kiss your freedoms farewell. V O T E !!!
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Man a well placed cluster bomb from one of those planes that buzz the playa every year… major damage!
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Thank you for the most thoughtful and on-point comment I have read so far on this post. I agree totally. It’s time for all of us to push back against the police state being woven into every aspect of this country.
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It’s another part of the Trump administration’s policy of cracking down on anyone they see as “different” or “other”. Undocumented Latinos, Burners, what’s the difference, really? Not a bit surprising. If they can’t ban the event outright, they can make it as unpleasant as possible for anyone trying to attend.
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The BIA is it’s own separate entity with rights and sovereignty. They do not need or ask for permission from any other law enforcement entity. It is NOT the state of Nevada, Pyramid tribe, BLM, Pershing county, Washoe county, Forest service, DEA any other law enforcement being blamed in these comments. The BIA has even been a pain in the a$$ with fighting wildfires in Nevada. They demand permission for fire trucks entering their land to fight fire!! This is like blaming Trump for the Mueller investigation as Mueller is an arm of the federal government!! The only safe solution is to enter black rock desert from the north. Here is a link to the BIA website: https://www.bia.gov/bia
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BLM was performing predatory law enforcement campaigns 2, 3, and 4 years ago. I spent many hours alerting people to the danger of a bicycle blocking a license plate, after the greeters, and before the city. That wasn’t Trumps watch. Stop the hatred please. Everything wrong in the world doesn’t have to be an excuse to generate Trump Hate.
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Thank you for not being the typical liberal blaming Trump for everything. It’s been getting progressively worse every year.
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That wasn’t BLM, that was NV police. And don’t block your plates. Sheesh.
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Calm and level-headed. Thanks!
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Reports are that the Tribal Council voted and invited BIA’s enforcement.
Trump must have won over their support by constantly teferring to Elizabeth Warren as Pocahontas. They love that stuff.
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More likely they didn’t really have a choice.
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Is it better to head north if Reno to gerlach and bypass Nixon entirely via 445 towards sand pass and around the west side of pyramid lake? Safe to drive
Camper + traitor that way?
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I’m going to approach from Alturas, from the north. No BIA land.
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I was researching that on eplaya. Apparently it’s a gravel road that can be hard on tires.
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From Reno
Get on I-580 N
Take US-395-N to Doyle Loop in Doyle
Get to Surprise Rd
All the way up to 447 > Gerlach
See you in the dust.
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Have you driven that route before? Isn’t Suprise Valley Road 445, the gravel road?
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From eplaya:
I drove Surprise Valley/Smoke Creek Road, the one that goes on the west side of Pyramid Lake and connects with 447 to Gerlach, two years ago. We stopped and helped four people and saw about 15 other people with blown out tires on the road. We came through with no problems, until around day 5 of the burn I noticed one tire was going flat. I used my spare, saw that two other tires were low and drove out slowly before getting aired up. At the tire shop in Reno they found out that 3 of my 4 tires had at least five punctures. So I got all new tires.
It probably didn’t help that to help people we made 3 different round trips from the middle of nowhere to Gerlach to fix flats and get replacement tires. And to be fair my tires were down to 3-4/32nds (replacement is supposed to happen at 2/32nds). So if you have solid, newer tires, with deep tread, designed to protect you from obsidian (volcanic glass that they used as road fill) you might make it through unscathed (there are some ranches out there and presumably they know what tires survive that road), but I don’t plan on trying that route again.
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also from eplaya:
If you mean the road that goes on the north and west sides of the Smoke Creek desert I drive it frequently. It is generally in good condition from the intersection with 447 to Sand Pass the part from Sutcliffe through the rez is poorly maintained and had many tire eating rocks. If you take it you must have good-strong tires. Not mud and snow tires, not all season tires but tires with solid reinforced treads designed for off road use.
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The west side of Pyramid lake is a bad idea for most tires. Obsidian (volcanic glass) is for some reason part of the gravel mixture. We drove it a couple years ago and it was flat tire city. We saw at least 10 vehicles with flat tires. I thought my truck got through unscathed – until about thursday of the burn when I noticed I had a mostly flat tire. I switched to my spare and drove out. Went to the tire store and found out that 3 of my tires had multiple small punctures. I had to get all new tires.
If you have newer thick tread truck tires you might get through okay. Normal passenger car and light truck tires will probably get punctures.
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Camper + traitor? Good one! :)
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The head of the BIA was an oil lobbyist who wants to open ANWR. BIA is under Dept of Interior ( Zinke). https://www.indianz.com/News/2018/06/29/bureau-of-indian-affairs-finally-lands-a.asp
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The head of the BIA, a Native American woman, was a pro-corporate oil exec with a million dollar salary who wants to open ANWR to drilling. BIA is under Dept of Interior (Zinke). https://www.indianz.com/News/2018/06/29/bureau-of-indian-affairs-finally-lands-a.asp
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Please post as much specific info as possible like: primary stop points on 447, peak stoppage hrs, BIA shift hours and when they change over, etc. Although we don’t imbibe illegally, just the thought of having to repack a truck Then trailer that we carefully packed and need for Camp of 30 is daunting
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This would be helpful information for all travelers.
I really don’t want to be stuck packing my vehicle back up alone in the middle of the night on the side of the road.
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To all those suggesting that BM simply move to private land:
Wouldn’t make a difference. The vast majority of police stops are on the way to the event, on the public roads and highways. This would not change enforcement if cars were “on their way” to an event in private land. Uncostitutional roadblocks and pretextual stops would simply land in the nearest town and highways to that land.
Film all encounters with officers. Get names and badge numbers. File complaints. Plead not guilty to all citatons to preserve your standing for any potential class action lawsuit for targeted harassment. Even if you were found with contraband, you are not guilty if the search was conducted illegally or if the traffic stop was for reasons that are provable false or not articulable.
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Thanks for keeping us up to date Comms team. Well done as usual.
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As a long time burner I see what they are doing a little differently. The Paiute are the ancestral protectors of this land. We are their guests. After all these years of seeing there land not cherished and respected they are asking for Respect the only way they are afforded to.
Please do not boycott them please google their history
Please saulute them and acknowledge their tribe if stopped and with grace thank them for use of their land. By the way their food is delicious!!!! A hot meal before the long wait to go in is worth it!!!!
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With regards to the Burning Man event, how are they not being respected? BMORG has given generously over the years to the tribe and local communities. Burning Man is cleanest event of its size on the planet BY FAR. Hardly anyone every went deep into the playa before Burning Man. If the tribe believes the event itself and/or any usage of the Black Rock Desert is disrespect, then that’s not only a fundamental disagreement, but not backed up by law.
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Classic.
Your statement is almost word-for-word the text of Pierce’s executive order of 1865 removing the 400,000 acre Yaquina Tract from the original Silet Reservation… We LOVE hearing about what we did and didn’t do since the beginning of time – because, darn it, we just up and forgot all about it until YOU came along to make us whole again.
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These Indians need to be stopped. No on F’s with our party.
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The BIA is white feds, not tribal police.
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They still go some Injun in them. No doubt!
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Get over yourselves. Enjoy your billionaire rich kid week while the rest of america burns.
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Camping at Burning Man is comparible to camping in a National Park. It is not particularly expensive. We’ve come multiple years using $20 sunshades and tarps for our tents. A $150 solar install was our most expensive item for the longest time, using our car’s battery to power LED holiday lights.
This isn’t some exclusive club. It’s the most inclusive it can be.
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I suspect Burning Man is becoming too big. It is officially a target and something needs to change, unfortunately that change will probably have to be on the side of the event management team. I am in a Facebook Burning Man group where i was harassed by the members. Something has been lost in the chaos that invariably comes when the limit is, in all likelihood exceeded by tens of thousands of “participants”
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>I am in a Facebook Burning Man group where i was harassed by the members
Carly, that’s because you kept asking if prostitution was legal on the playa, and everyone said no. Just because it’s Nevada doesn’t mean you can ‘work’ at Burning Man. It’s federal land, and it’s not okay. Plus it’s against the principle of decommodication. The guys said $100 would be reasonable, but no one carries that much cash. It’s impossible unless you work some kind of barter system. You just wouldn’t let it go. That’s why you got harassed.
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A friend of mine wants to know the best way to get a kilo of cocaine past drug dogs. He’s just wondering and he never does any drugs. Someone suggested taping it on the roof of the RV in a bucket of deer urine. But where would he find a deer in San Francisco? There’s bison in GG park, but that’s all I know.
His GF said she would wrap in in condoms and put it in her private areas. She’s a big girl so she could do a kilo easy. But that’s all pretend imagination since she doesn’t do any drugs either.
Maybe in the engine block, like in the air filter but make it closed off.
My friend hates the Indians like every other Burner and he just wants to help out.
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Susan, we must have the same friends.
Try tying off two eight balls to a septum ring and sucking in real hard. Should be comfortable as hell and totally throw them off. Just tell those BIA guys you have sinus issues.
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Tribal elders and council seemed angered by the pow wow ceremony, drug use, and cultural misappropriation – according to a number of posts last year.
Perhaps this is a reaction? Perhaps they don’t realize the great lengths Burners and Earth Guardians go to protect and respect the playa. Perhaps the perception of burners is just a bunch of fake ass people who pay lip service to the 10 principles but act like total privileged asshats in their day to day lives?
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You are first person to hit on this very important point. I grew up with natives and am part native myself. The nation talks and last year there were some serious very sad unfortunate shaming and cultural misappropriation happening. A friend of mine was invited from standing rock by a group of white Bay Area burners to do a “ceremony and performance” out at the burn. My poor friend thought he was gonna be able to perform as he is a musician. All the white people had Tee-pees and dressed in fake Indian garb. They tried forcing him to do “traditional native dance” He was devastated and posted a video that had lots of hits. The natives talk so don’t be surprised if they voted this in. But on the other hand the BIA is a bunch of white feds who don’t give a shit about natives. Complicated situation.
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So, it’s about ego?
Man that ego thing has been the cause of such pain in human affairs.
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Bullshit, in many years I haven’t seen headdresses or other native dress. Also the locals get nearly free tickets that they can sell. And they make a fortune off the tourists.
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I don’t see what all the whining is about. Just fly right to the playa and stay in a luxury camp that provides everything, drugs included.
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I wish I could give you a like ;)
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Here is an example of what one might say, if one had any faith in the Congress:
“Congresswoman Dina Titus
Attn: Constituent Services
495 South Main Street, 3rd Floor
Las Vegas, NV 89101
“Re Constituent Protection – Highway 447 – Wadsworth, Nixon
“Dear Ms Titus
“The Bureau of Indian Affairs is harassing Nevadans.
“Credible reports are that agents of the BIA, throughout this week, are detaining motorists on Highway 447, inventing fictitious “probable cause” in order to do so. Traffic to the Burning Man festival appears to be the target.
“The Bureau will not discover the U.S. Constitution because one random citizen of this State demands it. My hope is that you will take a public stand against this campaign of unconstitutional harassment, and that your doing so will make a difference.
“I will be looking for some action from your office.”
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Nice Mark,
ATTN: Reno and all Burners in her district. Copy and paste Mark’s message and post on https://titus.house.gov/htbin/formproc_za/zip-auth.txt%26form%3D/contact/email-me/email-me-zip-authenticated%26nobase%26fpGetVer%3D2
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While I think this and other similar actions of contacting people are good courses of action, why Titus? Isn’t BM in the 2nd district and she reps the 1st?
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The idea is to light a fire under YOUR representative, who might just possibly care how you are being treated. Whoever represents Gerlach does NOT care about you.
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I’m setting up a gumball rally to Burning man this year. Starting in Carson City, through Fernley, Gerlach and ending at center Camp. No wusses who stop for flashing red lights! Line up at the state capital Friday Aug 24th at 2am. Looking for ideas to celebrate the winner??
FU Trump!
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The winner will be celebrated with a giant Pow Wow at the trash fence right after Daft Punk. Bring plenty of feathers and glitter for ceremonial dancing.
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Does it make sense to alert our legislator? Maybe this is another government agency that needs some nudging to do the right thing.
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This is the end of the Burn….The Burn is over. It should end this year, with Larry’s death. I have no interest in the stress of the pigs on the road. I will NOT be returning to the burn. LEO’s have killed it for me. Unless the BORG can do something THIS YEAR… never again…
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It is just to preventy anything bad happening during the burn.
Strickt control no guns or dangerous goods in the vicinity.
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Please.
Study Title 25 United States Code.
https://www.law.cornell.edu
This has ZERO to do with the Trump administration.
The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe – PLPT has put up with Burning Man for 30 years.
Add up the income of Burning Man, vs the Income and benefits to the Tribe over a 30 year period. (2017 $30 million for Burning Man vs $100,000 for the PLPT Tribal Police)
Hmmmm.
The BIA is enforcing, what the PLPT cannot do on their own.
On their RESERVATION.
Reservation laws ARE NOT the same as Calif or Nevada , or any other State.
The term is: “Sovereignty”
It’s basically a Separate Country from the U.S.
the U.S. Government acts as a Foster Parent, the Reservation is the Foster Child.
Please stop with the Unconstitutional searches.
The PLPT Reservation has its own Constitution.
This can be read here:
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
OF THE PYRAMID LAKE
PAIUTE TRIBE
NEVADA
•
APPROVED JANUARY 15, 1936
BIA Archives.
Montana v. United States is a critical case
The opinion states that tribes “inherent sovereign power to exercise some forms of civil jurisdiction over non-Indians on their reservations, even on non-Indian fee lands.
tribes retain “inherent power to exercise civil authority over the conduct of non-Indians on fee lands within its reservation when that conduct threatens or has some direct effect on the political integrity, the economic security, or the health or welfare of the tribe.”[1]
The BIA has JOINT jurisdiction on Tribal Land.
The BIA cannot investigate a crime scene of:
drug running,
murder or rape……that becomes the job of the FBI…..
So lots of working parts here.
It’s not as simple as:
” hey man it’s just a little “bud”……..
See what happens with a firearm on the Reservation……all shit hits the fan…..
Also, the BIA nor the Tribe are required to answer to the Public……so don’t
“yell down the well.”
There is nobody listening.
Have fun at he Burn.
Be Safe
DrScott
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Legalized extortion, plain and simple! Burn is a state of mind! It’s time to shut down these criminal agencies that continue to destroy America. They NO longer REPRESENT the will of We the People. These agencies are corrupt to the core and are ego power tripping!!!
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Today I figured it. Do you want to know why the BIA shows up out of nowhere? NoDAPL @ Standing Rock.
Standing Rock > BIA > Burning Man
There are multiple lines of connection between the two events that I can list.
It is possible, and in my mind very likely, that BIA is enacting revenge on the Washoe Piute Tribe, driving away business, because some of its members were extremely visible key protesters and videographers at Standing Rock. One person who’s involvement was very well know to law enforcement and private security in the protests is now making videos in relation to Burning Man. However, I am merely mentioning the connection, but what is happening on Hwy 447 is all BIA’s doing.
On top of that a sizable number of people from the Burning Man community chose to go to Standing Rock and join the camps. They brought with them resources and knowledge learned from their survival skills learned in Black Rock City. Law Enforcement, including Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), absolutely became aware of the informal involvement by certain burners and has clearly made a connection in their thinking.
Now BIA has come to enact their revenge on both entities, Burning Man and the Washoe Piute Tribe, for daring to have people within their ranks that resisted their authority in such a visible way. They are still mad. On top of that the Big Boss, our President, the one that loves his pipelines, doesn’t take kindly to those that resist his power.
Sounds conspiritorial, but makes sense to me. Helps answer the question of why the BIA, and why now? This really should be looked at further.
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Paiute, sorry for the misspelling in my previous post.
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You are on point even if you think it’s a “conspiracy”. I have enough personal witnesses, videos and facts to back up exactly what you just posted. From standing rock to the burn. And the long standing fueds.
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Indians can’t be trusted, they are Indian-givers. They just don’t want the white man to have fun. Breaking News: White people like to camp and dress up and take drugs and be silly… Just leave us alone. You don’t own all the feathers in the world. Feathers are for everyone!
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Time to shut down the big burn. Regionals are the way forward. Pull Pershing county and BLM off the BM tit and let them see what they lose in revenue and then come and negotiate. Myself, if I get lit up, I’ll drive 35 mph with my right turn signal on all the way to the gate. I also plan on putting each morning’s pancake mix into individual zip lock bags near my straw for blowing bubbles and my paint scraping razor blade.
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I totally agree. Time to shut the Burn down. End it in honor of Larry.
LEO killed it.
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Sadly, this is true. Once we lost Larry, everything went off the rails. Larry was the only one holding it all together. Now that he’s gone the vultures are coming in, and will continue to pick our bones clean. I’m strongly in favor of ending the big burn and let the regionals take over the culture. from here. BM has basically become an EDL rave and the world’s largest RV parking lot. Too many tourists and cops. Let it rest in peace.
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END THE BURN
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COULD it be worth contacting local/regional news producers, perhaps even in ‘burner-heavy’ locales like San Francisco to alert them of this story?
Northern Nevada/Reno outlets may want to run a quick package, especially about excessive and possibly unconstitutional law enforcement action; once it runs on a local channel bigger ones may pick it up.
I say this because contacting congressmen is a fine idea and all but generally produces slow results; even if half the burners in attendance did it that’s still on 35k which is not a tonne of people. I think this news thing may be more effective.
Any other ideas, friends?
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>COULD it be worth contacting local/regional news producers
Good idea. I think CNN and MSNBC and the WSJ would be very interested in this story because the orders came directly from Trump.
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Hi All,
It looks like it’s coming from “Your Favorite Presidents” office.
Hillary might have been the only alternative last time you got to vote, but at least it’s hard to imagine that she’d ever go against BM.
See: there’s the difference!
I’m from Denmark, Europe. You know (according to Fox bizniz): the Euro-version of Venezuela… (not true, really. It’s not. Go here and C4URself).
America! It’s on time that you start respecting yourself and your constitution and elect someone that makes sense. Like Obama.
So please do NOT vote for a swindler this time!
Gottit?
Have fun!
-Peter
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Trump is Putin’s puppet. For some reason Putin wants to clamp down on Burners having fun, and he’s giving orders to Trump. It’s Russian bots and also Russian energy weapons from space. Their energy weapons target people’s brains and made them vote for Trump. They did it to me and I was planning on voting for Hillary, but I voted for Trump.
The Russians also hacked my computer and used their energy weapons to give me space AIDS, the kind that can’t be tested for. They also put something like anti-freeze in my brain.
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Hahahahahahahahahahah
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It’s hard to respect obama when he gave over a billion dollars to Iran so they can use it against the US. Read more anti-America deals obama made while in office, school yourself and you will change your mind about him.
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How does a minor traffic violation like briefly driving on the middle line possibly authorize getting searched? Clearly a violation of the Constitution.
Hopefully they will do this to one of the billionaires that goes to this thing (assuming they aren’t all using aircraft?) who can proceed to take up to a very high court and make a major issue out of it.
In fact I have another hope too, but it is too violent to even say here. Eventually though someone is going to snap and really be an ass.
The government cannot be allowed to treat people like this.
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>…too violent to even say here. Eventually though someone is going to snap
The pressure is getting too much. You’re right. Someone is going to snap and start a war with the Indians and LEOs. They’ve pushed the community too far. We just want to party and burn things and that’s our constitutional right. They are violating the constitution and we need to stand up to protect it.
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To all you people attending Burning Man in the Utah desert. Sad!
I ordered my agents from the Burro of Indian Affairs to watch you, because I love India. I haven’t been there, but I’ve heard lovely things. So lovely. I don’t really trust people who worship cows. I don’t like elephants and tigers much either. But the Indians love me. I can’t tell you how much they love me.
Stay home and do moral things, like I do. Otherwise, we will search you. And then you’ll know how I feel with this witch hunt. Robert Mueller. Sick!
If you get caught with your marijuanas and cocaines, just have your lawyer pay someone off. If you can’t afford it, then stop being poor, so poor.
When you get back from New Mexico, we will know
who you are. Sad!
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ROTFLMAO!
perfect.
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And for those who said the Tribe has nothing to do with it and to keep supporting their taco stands read this snippet from the RGJ.
“We’ve had lots of tribes reach out to us to do this, and if they don’t want to do it, they can decline. We are doing this in partnership with the tribes, not just going in there on our own,” Darling said.
The Bureau spoke with the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe a while back, Darling said, and tribal authorities decided that they would like to take part. Several weeks ago, the tribal council approved the agreement, a document which is only available through the tribe, she said.”
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I’m just going to leave 4 hours early. Drive slow, stop at all the light, make sure all light working ECT. Try to enjoy a fun week. A lot of room out there to have fun.
I been waiting to go to Canada for 10 years because I was dumb and got a dui. .04 Went to Las Vegas to have fun and 58 did not get to go home + 500+ to hospital. I have not gone out for 11 months. So I’m going to burningman were people are fun, show respect, leave politics at home and are great to there fellow burner. Have not got a ticket for 3 years. Maybe I’m just a old burner. Has the place changed!!! Hope not.
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How many vehicles can they actually pull over at once with the limited BIA force? 5,10, 15? the other vehicles will drive right on by. if you have done nothing wrong, then you have a case. If you did something wrong, accept it, suffer the consequences and move on.
I dont really care if you are going to BM to do drugs etc. That your business, more power to you, have fun. I can tell you that for 9 burns, i have had a fantastic time working with beer and booze. i drive in sober, and drive out sober. No problems. I got nothing to hide, so a pull over to me would be just another traffic stop. As for unloading all of your shit… Yes a pain, but what i have noticed is that many “regular” people bring way too much shit with them, that never gets used, or could be done without.
As for fear of beinf busted for drugs on the drive in. Hire a professional drone operater to fly your shit in and drop it at your camp..Lol
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Yesterday I contacted my congress representative in this matter. I got a prompt reply. They are mostly interested to hear from constituents that have in fact been affected by BIA actions. So if you have been stopped by the BIA or affected by backups because of their checkpoints, please send a note to your congress rep.
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Good job. My congress woman is Maxine Waters. I got through to her last night and she said, ‘Berble berble bong bong berble berble booh beep!” I think that means she’s going to stick it to the Tribe dudes for their party gange.
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If we purchased a small town with a post office, couldn’t we have our own PD and FD and enjoy certain jurisdictional rights as well as having additional power as a town rather than function or event? Just spitballing…
If multiple roads coming in, that would be ideal to make it more difficult to run these sorts of operations.
I hear they’d let go of Detroit pretty cheap.
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Being informed and aware is helpful. But over the next few days, given this new impediment, can people post their actual Reno (or I-80/Wadsworth) to Gerlach travel times. That would help others with travel planning, vehicle food/water provisioning, extra fuel consumption, and bathroom breaks. By default, given the shear volume of vehicles, we know Saturday through Monday will be a slow drive, but understanding how slow will help set expectations for the journey. Thanks.
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DO NOT CONSENT TO A SEARCH. DO NOT CONSENT TO A SEARCH!
I have to question the legal authority behind the BIA doing what it is doing. The duty of BIA law enforcement is, “…to uphold the constitutional sovereignty of the Federally recognized Tribes and preserve peace within Indian country.” In the current action they are acting as an extension of Tribal police. In Oliphant v. Suquamish Indian Tribe, “… the Court (US Supreme Court) concluded that there was an ‘unspoken assumption’ that Tribes lacked criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians.” The BIA action against non native Americans is illegal. (Congress voided part of that decision only in instances of domestic violence and when the victim is a native American.)
DO NOT CONSENT TO A SEARCH. DO NOT CONSENT TO A SEARCH!
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This is hopeful, but won’t happen in time to save this year’s drive to the playa: CNN: Lindsey Graham says Trump could replace Jeff Sessions after midterms.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/23/politics/lindsey-graham-jeff-sessions-replace/index.html
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What are the dogs able to search for? Do they have dogs? Or just visible searches. Can I get some help.
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The dogs,are there to justify searching vehicles. All drug dogs are trained to alert based on signals from their human. A slight hand gesture, the dog alerts, then they rip your vehicle apart and find nothing or maybe a roach. Then you get arrested. This is a DEA inspired criminal activity.
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I’m a resident of Empire. Many of the BIA K9 units are equipped with a kitten in a bag. They’re small enough to be hidden in the officer’s hand. All he needs to do is pull it out and he will get the dog to react. Many residents have called the SPCA to report what they’re doing but the SPCA is not a law enforcement agency, like they are in New York. Things need to change in Nevada.
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After the Burn, get involved in the November election and vote! Maybe a $1000+ fine and a Court Date will convince some Burners who shun electoral politics to do something about it.
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The number of LEO assigned for this task is not purportional to the population, or normal traffic on that road which would normally only require a few more officers. I don’t think the size of that force was coincidental.
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Look around you, how many people have no business being here. This will begin the culling process, look forward to shorter lines and less mess next year.
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Perhaps we need to remember whose land we are travelling through and have a little respect. This is their land, as long as they’re not displaying use of force we need to abide by their laws and their wishes and focus less on our complaints of wasted time.
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The Indians need to be reminded about which side won the war, though. We can’t let them get uppity.
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It’s almost as though they see all the press and social media content and now the party is burnt. It’s too hot!
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The United States needs events like Burning Man more than ever. Don’t fold your cards. There are lots of ways to fight the power! Keep your sense of humor and be creative in the face of absurdity. Rigid people can’t deal with pranksters.
I’m cheerleading you Burners on the sidelines. Hard for us teachers just back at school to go to the Burn.
I’m sorry it’s a hassle. But don’t let the grumps crash the party!
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my anus burns
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Yes, we need to elect more Progressives this year who will vote to open the southern border and allow the refugees in. We have so much to give. Burners Without Borders should be down there helping the Mexicans over the wall and telling them about Burning Man and what it means to be a Progressive.
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Burning Man is the cutting edge of what makes America great, BUT, I wouldn’t blame the Paiute for f’ing over the event. It’s only about 20-25% burners now, the rest “leave no trace” on playa but dump thier shit anywhere, first chance they get. Don’t even get me started on disrespecting traditions on native land. There’s been a huge insurgence of MAGA-tards, the loudest, most obnoxious people on the planet, and they would rather kill Burning Man than compromise thier self-centered, “fuck you I’ve got mine” attitude. Maybe it really is time to walk away.
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>Maybe it really is time to walk away.
Every since Trump “won” the election, I can’t stand the sight of any white person with short hair. They’re racist Nazis. This year our camp has 2 African Americans and 2 Asians and 2 nonbinary lesbians. We’re really trying to do our part his year to prove the Burners are not racist. We even had a fundraiser for the the children of Nigeria. We’re trying to get all the black children there adopted to Canada.
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This is a bullshit rumor. A friend just got to BRC and he said the LEO presence on the road isnt any different this year…NO traffic jams due to searching vehicles. So unless you are hella stupid and speed thru the rez, and throw beer bottles out the windows, go get the best use out of your store bought costumes and over priced ticky…
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I live in Nixon and my friends and I are laughing at all of this. The cops did a little enforcement last week, but that was just to scare Burners because they were tired of the Indian feathers thing, and wanted to send a message. They have no intention of continuing enforcement during the ingress. BLM would come down on them so hard they’d pee their pants.
So put your coke and pot in a coffee container and you’re good to go. Most of the dogs aren’t trained to sniff out a cat. They’re just local dogs.
Have fun y’all. Party on!
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What with you guys!
Reno resident here. Been trying to get the word out to many of the burners passing thru here. Letting them know about the B.I.A. shakedowns in Wadsworth. Recommending the alternate route of Pyramid Highway to Nixon (more scenic and less traffic). The responses I’ve received are pretty disappointing. Mostly I’m treated with indifference, or outright arrogance. Guess I’m seen as some hick, white trash Reno redneck. Mostly, it seems I get this reaction from California’s from the Bay Area/Silicon Valley. Guess were not cool in their eyes, or lack of social skill of the millenniums.
Most of the foreigners that I met are real appreciative, and seem surprised about such shenanigans of the federal authorities.
Tomorrow, planning on riding my motorcycle in that direction. Will give an update. Stay tuned.
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>Guess I’m seen as some hick, white trash Reno redneck.
That’s because you live in a trailer park and have your dog tied to a tree to protect your meth lab.
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No good deed’s go unpunished.
Thanks for insult. Trying to help, only to slighted.
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You actually have a dog tied to a tree to protect your meth lab?
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Fuck you Yasmine biatch
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******End the Burn. *******
Federal meddling causing local communities to loose financial income from Burning Man community… this will end the income to local communities & ultimately destroy many businesses that depend on us.
This will be the results of the current administration.
It also makes a LOT of sense to end the Burn with Larry’s passing.
I for one will not return to the Burn. 25 years I have been attending. It’s crazy to think that a President playing wag the dog is effectively destroying an event.
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Trump tweeted last night about ‘desert hippies’ but he deleted it within 5 minutes. Trump is definitely behind all of this. It’s all part of his plan for the mid-term elections. Also, Putin is working very closely with him. I have a friend who lives in Moscow who knows.
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Am Reno transplant – only because of sports betting. Not legal outside NV when moved. Vegas too hot, S. Lake Tahoe too small. Knew Nobel laureate (Solow,) Stanley Cup-winning head coach (Tortorella,) others such, when lived east coast. Have fought evil, cowardly gangs local hillbillies, Messkins, giant blacks, giant Indians empty-handed, single-handedly, though am politest bastard you ever met. Loaned and lost larger percent my personal net worth trying to help poor dumbasses of all colors than Mother Theresa or Christ The Rapist ever dreamed of. Her leper colonies rape camps, basically. Yay, Jesus The Attention Whore. But, of course, J got all the poontang, because most self-aggrandizing liar in town. Am tall, athletic build, blonde, blue, pretty face, married Brigitte Bardot (at around 35 years old) look-alike, so can get them without lies, drugs. (Don’t be the first one to make them squirt, especially if they’ve been married a few times, or a stripper, or a hooker, or you’ll never be able to get rid of them.) Was forced to do art project (Butt F Egypt-themed painting) as youngun in school. Refused, had zero interest. Idiot F art teacher actually called home, I got dragged inside from trying to play football with friends, forced to do painting. Handed it in next day, teacher said was impossible I, with zero interest, training, could have done it. End my art career. Pick up, dispose few pieces other slobs’ trash, junk, litter from public streets, sidewalks, every day. Believe beautifies more than local, unknown, low-talent artists polluting perfectly empty walls, public spaces. Municipalities spending a penny on bad, local public art when homeless, destitute, mentally ill etc., strewn everywhere is Depraved Indifference, in my opinion. Was ten years in SF. Grateful Deadheads were evil plague of dope fiend liars and thieves upon the area. Their pig girlfriends all with legs spread for whichever POS male Deadhead ran all over town lying, cheating and thieving, to get biggest bag of drugs. No part of brain, character, or soul, where fact registered that POS stole the money to buy them, or just stole them outright, from own friends, family, neighbors etc., among said sows. Hello, Micah. All lying to themselves were going straight to top of pop music world any day now. Of course, none went anywhere. So, learned to transfer efforts to horrible sculpture, murals. Found could rape eyes of thousands of the unwilling every day, get attention whore fix that way, rather than playing crap music in local band for free beer, for five customers who wished band would go away, and their own moms and girlfriends, saturday nights in little bars. Nothing compares. Check out Playa Sculpture Park opposite Circus Circus downtown Reno. Huge mural, by little local POS couldn’t even place among judges’ finalists among few entrants in little local mural contest across the street last year, of him with Basquiat crown on head, two hot young drug whores gazing at him longingly, and kind of trail in air from his head towards San Francisco. Biggest piece of pussy grab-attempt art ever seen. Loads more low talent males’ pussy grab-attempting murals around town. Just despicable liars, to selves and gang of fellows. But human F’s love rape – of everyone else, including their own babies – more than anything else in world, if share in plunder. Hello, Melania, Hillary, USA Gymnastics. Local ersatz-Basquiat’s murals on their outside walls have closed down numerous local businesses so far. Passed him muralizing alone in totally deserted area around 4 AM one morning, could have safely ended his local reign of error of crap art right then, but let him live. Hello, Joe Crock. (Back of Junkee Clothing Exchange.) The moral of the story is that many, many locals – including me and honest, kind, generous, liberal male friends – wish you’d take your crapfest to another state. We call the Two Whales sculpture at river/North Virginia Street plaza in downtown Reno the E Whore Pussy Grab Sculpture. There are enough bad musicians, bad artists, liars, and ridiculous drug and attention whores of all sexes, in this area, without importing even more. Everything that’s yours is in the box to the left. That is all. Oh, yeah – local Indians hate you, me, blacks, Messkins, Hindus and on and on, so steer clear of the reservations for future events, I’d advise. Hello, Ion.
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Hi from surprised visitors.
We made a long trip for this event.
It was not so simple to be 100% ready.
Now we are close to make the experience without any joint but for sure it will fuck my burn !
Burners on place can you please share with us more feedbacks from your trip to BRC ?
Are all vehicules stoped & inspected by dogs ??
We are foreign tourists with our own old RV : Will we be inspected as any vehicules ?
Any informations will be welcome.
Thanks in advance
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Don’t bring anything in! It’s the only way. :)
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Coming into Reno on 95 now & seeing a bit of an increase in patrol- just set your cruise control immediately when the speed limit changes! Don’t Speed. Just don’t.
*I don’t Consent to Search* & Godspeed my Family <3
Find me at 4:45 & Esplanade hosting workshops for Burners Without Borders*
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Unhappy burners stop by or call vinny the chairman at the tribe and tell him that protect the people not harasse them. Because living on the Rez cops are never around through out the yr, and there is no opioid problem out here it’s adults giving teens alcohol. Give the chairman a piece of your mind when you can, in person phone email letter whatever just get heard because he don’t hear his own people. We the people on the reservation can’t even be heard ever so at least visitors can help us locals get heard as well this effects us and angers us as well.
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Update:
Thinks look good. Took my motorcycle on loop thru Wadsworth, Nixon, to Reno. No excessive police activity. Only saw one LEO parked before entering Nixon.
If your coming from the West, I still recommend Pyramid Highway to Nixon. Much prettier, less traffic, and I think faster. In addition, you can hit Costco in Sparks. Better parking.
Be safe, stay off the shoulders. You’ll get stuck.
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Funny that for the first time ever bmorg exec staff, vip bigwigs are subjected to the same lines, stops and searches as all the rest of us have suffered through at the gate for twenty years. If you what to comment to the feds or locals:
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Council
P.O. Box 256, Nixon, NV 89424
(775) 574-1000
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after reading through the many comments, one comment stands out above the rest…..Federal Lands/Federal Laws, meaning Zero Tolerance and it has been this way for a longgggg time…having once been personally “pinched”……so whatever decision you make is completely up to you and Good Luck…I won’t smuggle again………
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90% of burners have nothing illegal in their vehicles. Should they be ok and happy with being tossed for hours and cavity searched and then merrily sent on their way with no citation?!
That’s if the officer doesn’t plant anything.
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Charter aircraft, set up a drop zone, parachute in. The Green Beret way. Problem solved.
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I appreciate you for turning out to be very considerate and for opting for this form of ideal topics millions of individuals are really desperate to be informed on.
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Well I just got a call that my brother was pulled over last night for a busted taillight on his trailer and I got nailed with “drug trafficking”. He’s currently sitting in jail in Lovelock, NV and looking at a very large bail amount. He was on his way to Burning Man. Be careful out there and don’t be stupid like him.
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*He got busted, not I…I’m not in Nevada.
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What has filling out the law enforcement interaction comment card ever accomplished? Those things have been filled out for ten years. Every year enforcement gets more tight draconian. Next year they’ll be cavity searching everyone before hitting the gate. Maybe filling them out makes the enforcement pressure worse?
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Sparkey… Are you there ?
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