Since 1997 police have been arresting people for trespass at the Woodstock site. This must stop!
The Woodstock Nation Foundation is dedicated to ending this violation of the right of the people to continue to peacefully assemble at the Woodstock site, uninterrupted as they had been doing since 1969. A public easement exists on the site due to the continuous open obvious daily use of the unfenced, unposted, undeveloped property by the public for more than 20 years.

Then, in 1990, a woman by the name of June Gelish, claimed to be the owner of the property and decided to stage a commercial concert during the anniversary, August 15-17. The town supervisor, Allan Scott, sued her for staging a commercial event, without permits, in an agricultural, residential zone. He got a court order to stop her dated August 15, 1990, She then filed the first trespass complaint against people who entered the Woodstock property. That case was dismissed.

The next year, 1991, June was stopped by a court order from a surrogate court in Brooklyn because evidence was entered that June Gelish's deed was forgery. Allan Scott tried to stop people from assembling anyway. He failed.

In 1992 Scott  succeeded in stopping the assembly by unlawfully blocking roads with town equipment, snow plows, etc. And the police threatened to throw tear gas at people.

In 1993 people entered the property and faced off threats of arrest. 3 people were arrested for trespass for refusing to leave. Then 600 tons of wet chicken and duck manure was brought in to deter anyone else from entering the property. Of course the people in the town were getting very upset at this point.

In 1994 another commercial event began to unfold being it was the 25th anniversary. That didn't sell tickets so it folded up and the people entered the property en masse, to stage a free event, as usual, along with the full cooperation from the town, the police, emergency services, the whole Magilla, as they say. The town was packed and every business in the area made money!

In 1995 we gathered again unhindered. Hallelujah! The Woodstock Nation Foundation was formed as a not-for-profit to defend the right of the people to continue to assemble on the Woodstock site.

In April of 1996 New York State Police took over all the roads leading to the Woodstock site and started threatening people with arrest if they even pulled over and stopped their car on the side of the road to take a picture of the site, much less enter the property. Until then people were accustomed to driving anywhere on the property. A road had actually been created on the site by the public.

The foundation got in touch with State Police Captain, Alan Martin, asking by what authority they were enforcing trespass charges. He wouldn't say. He did say, "Abigail, every year you keep us off the site. Well, this year we're on and you're off!" It is true that we wouldn't allow them to patrol the property while the public was gathered there. It's private property. The police need permission to enter. That's all. We patrolled the site. They patrolled the roads. All legal. However, the police could, and many did, enter while off duty. At least, until now.

The foundation then called the county D.A. who would supposedly be prosecuting these intended charges of trespass on innocent people. We pointed out that the property was unposted, unfenced, and continually used by the public. Also the late Louis Nicky, who died in 1989, had a historical marker put on the property in 1984 which a person had to enter the property to read. June Gelish, his girlfriend who now claims to own the property, had her name on the marker also. Now she doesn't want anyone to read it? Also, the county had published a tourism magazine inviting people to visit the site as a point of historic interest with directions to get there. The state police backed off.

In May of 1996 the Woodstock Nation Foundation is incorporated and a board of six trustees is formed in order to pay off June Gelish and take control of the property to protect the easement and keep the site from being developed. According to Gelish's lawyer/cousin, Stephen Davis, she wants $2.5 million. (The foundation does not find out about the court order and the forged deed until 1997 when the file gets transferred to Sullivan County.)

July 7, 1996, the Woodstock Nation Foundation stages a concert in Woodstock, New York, featuring Arlo Guthrie performing. With the money they buy a computer, fax machine, phones, and open an office to begin their fundraising campaign. The vision is if the 500,000 people who went to the 1969 festival sent in $5 each that would be $2.5 million! Simple, right? No way. We're talking' war in the trenches. Just for some peace, love and music.

In July, 1996, June Gelish transfers the property, in violation of the Brooklyn Surrogate Court order, (which had been renewed and was still in full effect), to herself as President of Gelish Realty, LLC, a corporation which exists at her home address in Brooklyn, for no money. This is a lie. Or is it and what part is a lie, actually? Watch and see. In August the state police block the roads and continually harass people who enter the area with threats of arrest. They even threatened people on adjoining properties, which they had no authority over because the owner refused to file trespass. A local landowner opened his property and everyone shifted to gather at the alternative site.

In April of 1997 June Gelish dies.

In May, 1997, a local billionaire, Alan Gerry, announces to the press that he bought the Woodstock site from June Gelish for a million dollars. The foundation is puzzled by this and goes to the Sullivan County clerk's office to see what's in the deeds file. Only the transfer from June to herself as President of Gelish Realty, LLC. Very suspicious.

In July, 1997, Gerry announces that no one will be allowed to enter the property for more than a short stop for quiet reflection. The Woodstock Nation Foundation founder, Abigail Storm, and her husband, Daniel Eggink, with their family enter the property, set up a tent, and build a fire, as usual to prepare for the 28th anniversary by praying and welcoming visitors. Gerry sends a team to warn Abigail and her family to leave, along with others who had started to gather with them. Abigail asks for a meeting with Gerry. They leave and return the next day with an appointment for the meeting with Gerry the following day. They also hand Abigail a paper with the heading, Gelish Realty, LLC.
This is a surprise to Abigail and others at the site, as well as a reporter who was present at the time.
The meeting with Gerry goes well and he asks for another meeting a week later. The foundation agrees. Before the next meeting the state police arrest Abigail and Daniel for trespass. Then 4 more people are arrested. Six in all plead not guilty. Their intention is to force Mr. Gerry to prove he has legal title to the property. Then the foundation will negotiate or settle in court the right of the people to continue to assemble at the Woodstock site.

We lost the case. No evidence was ever presented during the trial that linked Alan Gerry to the Woodstock site. Not a canceled check, not a written agreement, not a bill of sale. ZIP! Our evidence revealed he couldn't have legal title to the site. The court even refused to allow our lawyer to enter the court order preventing such a transfer as evidence in our case! We filed for appeal. Our lawyer messed up our appeal and we lost. He didn't file the brief. We believe somebody got to him.

August 19, 2000, two days after the photo below was taken, Abigail and Daniel were arrested by the Sullivan County Sheriff deputy for trespassing on the Woodstock site. About 60 people were present with them. No one else wanted to get arrested. Bill Ruth, an employee of Granite Associates, a Gerry corporation, was the complainant. Granite is not the owner of record either.

We have retained an attorney for our defense. We have plead not guilty. The Woodstock Nation Foundation is in the process of reorganizing its board of trustees for the express purpose of raising funds to cover the cost of this trial which is scheduled for March 13, 2001, at 7 pm in Kauneonga Lake, Bethel township, Sullivan County, New York.

Our agenda is to be prepared to defend the public easement. We must first be prosecuted by the true owner of the Woodstock site. We don't believe it is Alan Gerry. Let him bring forth evidence of his ownership of the Woodstock site. If he doesn't, and we have a real judge who's not favoring Gerry, but is examining the facts, we win. If he does have legal title we could still win because we had reason to believe he did not own the property and, under NYS law, this is a provable defense for entering the property lawfully. The foundation and other individuals will then file a civil action to stay Alan Gerry from further arrests by proving the public easement that existed before his takeover of the property in 1996/7 and if he has no legal title we will ask for a stay on those grounds as well.

Anyone interested in helping us win this legal battle please contact us as soon as possible. Many people have dedicated their lives to reopening the Woodstock property for the public to enjoy.
We are also concerned that Alan Gerry intends to build a performing arts center on this historic site which will forever prevent the free assembly on the site of some of the most beautiful people we have ever met anywhere on earth. We love you. We need your help.

The above photo is a graphic display of  what the Woodstock Nation Foundation is trying to stop.
Go to the bottom of the page to see how you can help or just read on until you get there!

If you are well endowed with God's blessing of much capital and want to help we are taking offers, starting at $5,000, for Art which is viewable by using the following link: ART AUCTION

If you are hard up for money and want to give something a donation of $5 will be great. It all adds up.  In appreciation for your help we will send you a full color laminated wallet sized card.

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod  with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" Ephesians 6:11

ãcopyright 1998 EGGINK "a family business"

The Woodstock Nation Foundation web site is generously donated by