Slab City - The Self Governed "Lawless" Community of Southern California

For over 60 years, Slab City has been a community of outliers. Those on the fringe of society, who are either unaccepted, or don't want to be involved with the status quo. A free society that endures a lack of infrastructure in exchange for an untaxed, bartering and creative experience.
Support on Patreon: / masonobscura

[@MasonObscura]

Need more California oddities? Check out the playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYjaoohmit2VoK8

[@BuddyRevell455]

Why do you completely ignore the huge drug element?

[@paulholmaniii9691]

Why. It ain't no worse here then where you live.

[@BuddyRevell455]

@@paulholmaniii9691 found the druggie.

[@creaturedomes9364]

I cant stand druggies or democrats

[@DaddySlabCity]

I live in slab city for the last 3 years and I love it. It's a tough place but beautiful. I was a college professor 4 years ago. I have plenty of videos on my channel.

[@jonmacdonald5345]

I remember you

[@woobielocks]

Would I be welcome coming with my 14 and 21 year old kids? I'm out of options.

[@alicehallam8247]

@@woobielocks Affordable off-grid communities in Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada. Slab has had drug user population in the past but not sure how it's doing now in that respect. Northern states Wyoming and Montana also, but you would have to deal with keeping warm.

[@alicehallam8247]

@@woobielocks Stay rural it's safer for kids good luck.

[@archiebunker9625]

@@woobielocks 21 year old is not a kid

[@larrywiddis470]

The BEST Slab City video I've seen.

[@archiebunker9625]

If Slab City is Lawless why are the cops always there people getting arrested you didn't think about that did you

[@edgarbanuelos6472]

Desert hippies are my new favorite genre of American culture

[@walkerscottr1]

best video on slab city i've seen so far, in my opinion. keep it up.

[@MasonObscura]

Thanks, will do!

[@janatmatembe4765]

Very detailed video thanks

[@lynnenneji2070]

Wow, what an amazing place. I smiled the whole time I was watching.

[@nakiabrown1976]

Me too

[@thegreengoblin993]

Me too.

[@123edwardzpad]

Seriously the best drone footage I have seen of Slab City. Excellent editing. Outstanding video. I am under the impression that East Jesus is not technically squatters, as they have title to land, unlike everybody else. It is my understanding that the California's Teachers Retirement Union owns the "slabs property" technically. I would like to find out the truth on this. Thank you for this great video.

[@jessicalist7916]

I like your air view! This is one of the better slab city videos that I have seen

[@Nope_Nope]

This was an EXCELLENT and Totally TRUE video on Slab City! My Daughter was living there. Im so pleased with how you described The Slab ... You didnt touch on the fact that some of the people can be BRUTAL down there. A lot of them actually. My friend went down there to see if he could find my daughter and he was almost murdered- beat to death with a pole... Because of a mis understanding😱 Horrifying. He came back Black and Blue- And without the vehicle he drove down in... because they destroyed that too. 🤯 People disappear at The Slab. And the summers take lives too. Just a warning. Its no joke down there. Their communities are very protective of their space; like Gangs or tight nit loyal family- Which is more than i can say for my extended family😳 But it is a neat place to visit i am told.

[@SwampDweller67]

Should be nuked.

[@SSsmith24]

Great video,, thx Some one I love is there,,hope they r well

[@MasonObscura]

From what we could tell the residents were all doing pretty well considering the state of things. Not as much interaction or donations due to social distancing, but the people there are definitely a hardy and enduring group.

[@phoenixarizona8441]

I plan on stopping by Slab City when we get back home in Arizona

[@Sufibooks]

Great Informative video and well shot

[@REAL4wd]

thank you for the video

[@MasonObscura]

Thanks for watching!

[@noahtyndall2005]

I think I might go there soon..after I get my ss started .

[@JamesEdwardTracy]

ABSOLUTELY MESMERIZING!

[@LoveRackett]

Great representation oh, really did camera work in the narration my friend you're very good at that, Merry Christmas Happy New Year love and peace

[@jonmacdonald5345]

Keep blowing those bitching ass pipes my dude,you rock!

[@Adventure-Outside]

Great video

[@georgemalley6414]

Yet, the Imperial County Sheriff still rides through looking for people with warrants. The loooong arm of the law.

[@Doesitmatter113]

As they should considering most are all squatting on someone else's property. The place is filled already with societal rejects, why pollute it more with criminals?

[@planb192]

Nice work.

[@MasonObscura]

Thanks!

[@prymoirdyamiller3184]

They had broke into my apartment in Hillsboro after leaving me 4 dead the security 📷 caught them in the act of sexual murder on the 31st of August 1999

[@elizabethsmith1702]

Even if there was a Dunkin there, I don't think I would visit!!

[@MasonObscura]

Desperate Times call for desperate measures when it comes to Dunkin

[@janiznick]

East Jesus sign, do not enter trespassers will be used as target practice. What a place.

[@butterflykisses7280]

Could someone who's 56 wheelchair bound severely disabled with MS illnesses and a spinal injury and her dog live there in her car and tent?

[@williamkelly5689]

No offense but that's a pretty stupid fucking question

[@paulholmaniii9691]

Probably not.

[@magsplice]

Great content brother

[@EscapeMCP]

Looks like heaven to me

[@montiliusbeatty9831]

Not self governed nor lawless. How many towns in america have no police force and the sheriff dept patrols it. Sheriff station is 3 miles away. Self governed? Are a few making a big claim about themselves? Fact check.

[@sarajester7835]

Prob one of my favorites. I’m not sure if I want or visit or not...the spikey toilet though. 👀

[@Nope_Nope]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gom8f4CqlLWrg6M

[@prymoirdyamiller3184]

Did anyone ask dohippydoesnothing? Aka cowboy aka Robert Kennedy

[@AA-cw7ql]

💜

[@aimeeolivier663]

I happen to be a dolphins fan

[@willamsandell1082]

You missed The House of Dots

[@ETAYLOREMT]

Child services taking kids from slab city.. can not say without laws

[@brianmcmanus4690]

Bring it.

[@SaadonAksah]

an awesome city! 😍

[@creaturedomes9364]

Oh yes and full of meth fueled democrats i bet.

[@deathlarsen7502]

they should move ALL of LA homeless out here

[@jessicalist7916]

😂😩😄👌

[@briansworld007]

Seriously

[@stevendelcarlo3294]

Portland. Oregon's slab city

[@GregHinzeworkinprogress]

Did it well I'm the guy at salvation mountain you talked to

[@MasonObscura]

Greatly appreciate all of the information you had! Thank you!

[@ramblinroam]

Spent 10 of the best weeks there

[@Wanna.Wander]

Best times if my life too Roam💜💜

[@ramblinroam]

@@Wanna.Wander looking forward to coming back

[@Wanna.Wander]

@@ramblinroam I am looking forward to the day we connect💜

[@imazombieee8949]

Props dude. This is one of my fav places on earth. I paint and "reset" there often. But 10 weeks has me wondering if I could do it. I mean people and happiness wise easily. But I go out there to do psychedelics and get away from my anxiety and the fast life of social media and the city. And remind myself that the "wierdos" out there are way more in tuned with life and happiness than anyone can imagine. And for the last 6 or so years I've used this location to cure my social anxiety and stress, just by going out there and being myself with no judgment. Place is literally a community to those who were outlasted by "normal life". Alot of crazy shifty people out there too. But for a land w no laws I've been in debates/asked to leave/and asked to contribute all without any hostility. Just had to comment on my exp here. Forever my holy land. U can be tripping balls about to go off the deep, and a local will come give u water ask what your on/ then proceed to take care of you for no reason other than "they been there too"

[@johndough3125]

How were the drugs?

[@sleazysid253]

I love watching this videos, but CA is such a shit hole.

[@davidbirch98]

Yeah, the rest of california is lawless too...

[@fuckff3566]

Did you see the airfield near there

[@stilesthissell]

It's not lawless, that's a lie

[@bret9741]

Sad

[@brad6375]

Aww The penthouse on the Coliseum is gone /:

[@allewis1376]

If there is a Hell on Earth Slab City is it

[@prymoirdyamiller3184]

Whatever happened to Kirk Westbrook?

[@RandomsFandom]

2:55 Escher is the name of the dog... I know the owner, but not gonna blast his name. Gonna swing over to Facebook and say hi.

[@MasonObscura]

He was a wealth of information! It was appreciated.

[@alysskennedy8661]

I really want to go live there. I wonder if they’d accept me?

[@rongray4118]

There are a great many people whom have said the same thing...many still live there!

[@nicolasklopfenstein1305]

I would like to see it myself. But live there??

[@Cookiesantos777]

They probably would welcome you with open arms.

[@KILLEMALLTWICE]

Bring weed, water, and liquor. They'll accept you. Stay away from the click called Goonies. They're known for robbing and raping tourists.

[@DaddySlabCity]

I live here, don't do hard drugs and have a nice guest trailer. We don't welcome everyone, but hippies, freedom seekers, artists and the open minded are usually accepted. I am a puerto rican nerd from the bronx. They accepted me.

[@badapple65]

Kind of Mad Max like (Mad Max portrayed 2021 as the year)

[@philc.9280]

My son just visited Slab city with a group of friends. They were at first concerned about safety but as a group it was fine. Unfortunately Prayer mountain was closed for construction and renovation.

[@linorful]

There lucky us government just doesn't tell them kick rocks

[@Wanna.Wander]

Not 4,000 anymore with the Canadian border still closed #cuzcovid and with the sale of the LOWs 😣💜💜

[@prymoirdyamiller3184]

Rip Brent

[@prymoirdyamiller3184]

-kennedy

[@triciasavoy3166]

Where were the people?

[@MasonObscura]

I tried to respect their privacy as much as possible and not film them.

[@prymoirdyamiller3184]

Ask barbieri

[@YouthVideoQuest]

Just stopped by for a visit and the experience look forward to returning a stay longer.

[@Tsumebleraar]

Een groot gemors!

[@duckmann5000]

🏆🏆🏆

[@painmadar3487]

Now people who live there are hippies?

[@sleazysid253]

Bro, you had hair before. Are you doing okay?

[@MasonObscura]

The beard comes and goes but the hair is never there...

[@sleazysid253]

@@MasonObscura Fair enough. Awesone video, as always. I follow this group on Facebook. Very interesting. Hope you're doing well.

[@MasonObscura]

Always appreciated!

[@richcountyratrodsjrod2329]

Would u live there?

[@williamvanscottnelson2605]

I do live here. 😁 I love Slab City and the people. ❤

[@richcountyratrodsjrod2329]

@@williamvanscottnelson2605 if u move there, how do u get a lot?

[@MasonObscura]

From what we could tell while there, it is first come first serve. No one owns any of the land, so as residents move in, they find an unoccupied area and make camp. Many camps now include boundaries such as fences or markers, but everyone respects everyone else's occupied status for wherever they make their camp.

[@DaddySlabCity]

I live here too. I also love the people and culture here. William is my neighbor and friend.

[@woobielocks]

@@DaddySlabCity please tell me, may I please come with my 21 and 14 year old kids? We have nothing. No options left.

[@hongnhungnguyen8071]

Nice video. Can I use part of it for my project?

[@MasonObscura]

Absolutely

[@hongnhungnguyen8071]

@@MasonObscura Thank you so much.

[@imee8843]

👋👋👋👍👍👍

[@josephkopeczy2678]

One Big tweaker camp

[@jonmacdonald5345]

The Tweekenest tweek that ever tweeked!

[@felippemason4527]

Did you see the hole I dug next to the coliseum

[@MasonObscura]

Must have missed it. We did our best to not encroach on the residents.

[@paulholmaniii9691]

What's the coliseum?

[@mcpuffenstuff6213]

I was there a few years ago and hung out with some crystal selling hippies for about a week. Had a blast, lots of memories

[@connieadams607]

Looks like a place to be on my bucket list. Excellent show.

[@this-is-slammin-549]

It’s lawless and mostly toothless.

[@RichNSmoothified]

I've been really good this time, on my best behavior. I haven't had to hurt anyone in a while. I'm all better now. When they let me back out, I'm headed back to hang with my tribe at The Range in Slab City California. I'll once again be living next to the Salton Sea, and like MLK I'll be free (at last)

[@troyupshaw3846]

What a great place for a bombing range.

[@alicehallam8247]

Fantastic. Need more places like this. Independent, off-grid, low taxes (if any). Don't demonize these people. They might be smarter than you are.

[@creaturedomes9364]

Lots of democrats i bet eating meth day and night.

[@nicolastecson5091]

Slab city is the place to be live in there and you fell like a human

[@imazombieee8949]

Most amazing place on earth, I use it as a "reset button" from the fast life of the city. When im overwhelmed and anxiety gets me, I go here for a weekend and truly let loose. No judgements, no laws (besides hippie/Bible shit) love you neighbor don't be a piece of shit type thing. But you'll meet the weirdest people here; and they will show you life is not a visual effect. Some of the craziest looking ppl at slabs are the most genuine living ppl I've ever met.

[@davesaslaw7410]

How many folks permanently reside at SC? When you say 'self-governing', exactly what do you mean? Is there ANY semblance of 'government' by, for and of the people who live there? Or is the place entirely 'lawless', with only 'vigilante justice' in the form of beat-downs and burn-outs? Is the place entirely without 'law'; or does the state of California have anything to say about things like rape, robbery and/or murder? What does the future look like? Any chance of incorporation, sanitary services or electrification? How far away are the grocery stores and hospitals? Is there any form of internal economy, such as food production or water service? Do folks vote on local issues; and if so, what sort of issues do they vote on? Did the 2020 election prove as divisive in Slab City as it did elsewhere in the USA? There are too many 'drive-thru' videos on Slab City, offering very little merit. How about some real substance?