Relics of the mystical movement that took over an eastern Oregon community | Digging for Old

The escalation of tensions in rural Wasco County between residents and the followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh produced a wealth of memorabilia. The Oregon Historical Society gave us a peek at some of it.
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[@grapeape780]

The fact they were so willing to poison the rest of the locals, is why I do not look at this event very lightly. Yuri Bezmenov spoke directly about this subversive technique.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

They tried actually killing them..facts

[@Overitanne]

As a kid we went there after the people left to snoop around all the empty buildings. The real tourist attraction was the aftermath. It was such a Weird thing to happen in such a little rural community. One extreme to the other.

[@sketchypeoplepdx]

My dad was land surveyor for the BLM during the Rajneesh era. He's got some great stories. One of co-workers converted during their trip! My dad saw the Bhagwan drive by admist the crowd of followers crowding his car. The window was open a crack and my dad looked in and made eye contact with the Bhagwan and my dad recalls SO MUCH gold around his neck! My dad's crew had to put covers over their license plates and were escorted by Rajneesh with AK47s. My dad's crew had to get permission and clarification on what they could photograph and survey. Wild!

[@TheWriterNW]

I remember everyone being afraid to eat at the salad bar at restaurants.

[@clarencesmith2305]

I don't know, but I think the restaurant they ran, in downtown is still open and doing business.

[@420saralou]

As a kid, we went to the big mansion and had a seven course meal. I remember all the young men were eyeballing my sister and kept trying to separate us. Even at 7 years old, I felt like something nefarious was going on. It was. They wanted to rape my sister.

[@Whistle.Whistle]

I'm trying to find about these criminals; at that time at your age you wouldn't have told the cops, but did you tell it your family/guardians, did they do something about it; how old was your sister then, did she look much different than these people are habitual to seeing in their own country, so, blonde, redhead etc
were those men speaking broken english and had thick accent, which would mean them being less educated and hence thinking of such criminal activities

[@Shackleford8]

Anyone with sleeves like that can't be trusted.

[@raymondpape8452]

ha Ha Ha... such a fine demonstration of disinformation.

[@kattycat3502]

KGW 💯🧕💩

[@stevierubalcava5924]

It's okay Tiffany, bring v higher

[@alliedsandblasting9211]

I was going to school in phoenix and we went downtown to watch the goofballs getting on buses to go there