By ANDY HILL

Globe Associate Editor

EWEN -- Felipe Chavez says he was a street person before he joined the Rainbow Family.

"I had a connection with the way people were getting along," Chavez said Wednesday while he watched his child and three others playing at an area reserved for children near the old logging town of Choate, on the Ottawa National Forest. "This is my 28th gathering."

The 31st annual gathering of the Rainbow Family of Light will reach its peak July 4. The family preaches peace and love, and bases its beliefs loosely on Native American tradition.

"We're going to pray together on the fourth," Chavez said.

While Chavez was speaking, other Rainbow Family members were being arrested a half-mile away, as state and federal law enforcement worked to break up the gathering, or at least move it to a site the National Forest system would prefer.

The muddy site at Choate includes archaeological material the Ottawa deems to be jeopardized by the gathering. The agency also expresses concern about the trench-style toilets the family builds.

There are two entrances to the Choate site, one manned by family members including Uncle Sam, of Fort Smith, Ark., the other with Forest Service and Michigan State Police law enforcement.

"We have given the United States government two hours to leave," said Sam.

"This is what it's all about," said Mouse, a Texan sporting a shirt with the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, supporting freedom of speech.

Meanwhile, a member of the loosely organized group directed cars to park off the forest road, as police have asked.

A best guess on the number of participants is 2,000. A woman at the children's area said the count will crest Monday, probably at about 10,000. The number is far from the 25,000 at some other gatherings.

The law enforcement strategy appears to be to hassle the group until it leaves the Choate site. The Forest Service has canine and horse units on hand, but appears to be working somewhat surgically to arrest leaders of the group.

In addition, those leaving the site are not being allowed to return. Several groups who left earlier Wednesday found themselves separated from their tents, food, sleeping bags and other essentials.

"They cut us by two-thirds," said family member Jewell, who said the National Forest had placed most, but not all of the Choate site off limits.

There also is some indication of internal division.

"Badjer doesn't speak for us," a woman hollered. Badjer, also known as Charles Winslow, was arrested on a federal charge of gathering without a permit. He also attended the 1983 event, near Watersmeet.

Police indicate the Rainbow Family was in fact divided over whether to hold the gathering in Wisconsin or Michigan. Some family members are congregated at campsites away from the Choate site, including a spot on Robbins Lake.

Family members appear to be working hard to keep the event together. Hugs greet family members and guests alike, along with the traditional greeting, "Welcome home."

Many find healing through group membership.

Jewell said he was a junkie before hooking up with the family.

"There's a lot of kids who get off drugs out here," said Storm, who is from New York. "We're feeding people. You come here, you'll have a full belly. It should be a basic right that everyone gets fed."

The gathering isn't for everyone.

"It's medicine for some people, for some people it isn't," said Chavez. "We're trying to lead by example. You should always be a servant."