Bohemian Grove gathering begins Friday

By ROBERT DIGITALE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT


Published: Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 6:09 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 6:09 p.m.

The Bohemian Grove, a redwood-spired sanctuary to powerful men for 120 years, today opens its gates near Monte Rio for its annual, two-week encampment.

The gathering of the all-male Bohemian Club is expected to draw a small group of protesters this weekend when the bulk of the guests are expected to arrive. The encampment lasts through July 26.

The small demonstration contrasts with some of the larger-scale protests of earlier years, usually coinciding with Republican presidential administrations over the past three decades. Every Republican president since Herbert Hoover reportedly has belonged to the 2,500-member club.

Mary Moore, who helped found the Bohemian Grove Action Network in the 1980s, said she is happy that new activists are still trying to draw attention to leaders of government, banking, business and the military who gather in the grove.

“I’m just glad to see anybody out there,â€