California
Clarence Thomas and Bohemian Grove: Inside the secretive California retreat making headlines
Bohemian Grove, the country Bay Space men-only retreat for the wealthy and highly effective, is again within the information with a report in ProPublica Thursday that U.S. Supreme Courtroom Justice Clarence Thomas secretly accepted luxurious journeys around the globe from a Republican donor. The journeys included a go to to the Bohemian Grove.
Right here’s what it is advisable to know concerning the secluded gathering spot – typically known as a campground – in rural Sonoma County
What’s Bohemian Grove?
Bohemian Grove is a distant 2.700-acre camp nestled among the many redwoods in Monte Rio, a small Sonoma County city alongside the Russian River. The positioning performs house to a controversial two week-long yearly gathering of political leaders – typically together with presidents – and captains of trade. It’s held in July. The record of attendees and what goes on contained in the closely guarded encampment is stored secret, although tales of attendees, their antics and traditions have leaked out over time.
Who owns Bohemian Grove?
San Francisco’s secretive Bohemian Membership, based in 1872 by 5 newspapermen, a Shakespearean actor, a vintner and an area service provider, owns the redwood retreat. The membership reportedly has about 2,500 members in addition to a six-story brick clubhouse on the nook of the nook of Put up and Taylor streets. Membership representatives insist that the nonprofit group is devoted to the straightforward enjoyment of music, literature and drama.
What goes on inside Bohemian Grove?
Whereas the goings-on behind the fences of Bohemian Grove are confidential, they’re rumored to incorporate skits and performances together with the Cremation of Care, a gap ceremony of kinds mentioned to banish the considerations of the trendy world and concentrate on the bushes and nature. Throughout their time on the Grove, the lads keep in rustic cabins. They’ve been rumored to roam round bare or in robes, urinate on bushes, drink profusely and inform politically delicate tales, all within the spirit of male bonding.
Why has the retreat been so controversial?
The primary supply of controversy has been the exclusion of girls from the annual encampment. However this being the Bay Space, it’s additionally been dogged by a number of conspiracy theories and criticized for perpetuating a tradition of elitism and exclusivity. In 2019, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted to cease offering safety providers to the annual encampment by its Sheriff’s Workplace – at price – because it had executed for 15 years.
Attain Michael Cabanatuan: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com; Twitter: @ctuan