To hear members of the Bundy family and other armed occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in OR tell it, they are the courageous leading edge, a handful of people willing to act on a widely held belief that the federal government has gone too far in its control and regulation of public lands.
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The self-styled militia took over the wildlife refuge on January 2, over what they call “tyranny” by federal officials, for jailing an OR rancher and his son for illegally burning more than 100 acres of federal land.
The standoff is the latest flare up of tensions over federal management of Western lands. They departed the refuge area after LaVoy Finicum said the network’s help was appreciated, but “we want the long guns put away”. “The steps they’re taking – the occupation they’re doing – actually robs the American public of experiencing one of the premier wildlife and birding refuges in the United States”.
The stunt was perhaps the militants’ boldest yet since overtaking the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge earlier this month.
Ammon Bundy, the group leader who usually addresses the media, will attend, he said.
The Fish and Wildlife Service condemned the militants’ actions in a written statement. “Any movement of cattle onto the Refuge or other activities that are not specifically authorized by USFWS constitutes trespassing”, the USFWS said, adding it “also destroys the positive conservation impacts reaped” over decades.
According to AP, Bundy has refused to cooperate with local law enforcement, residents, and the OR governor’s request that the group leave the federal property.
“Since the armed protesters took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge 10 days ago, Harney County has seen an increase in vandalism, harassment and intimidation reports, Sheriff Dave Ward said”. Officials say they couldn’t comment because the situation is a part of active investigation.
The argument is rejected by those who say the US government is better equipped to manage public lands for all those who want to make use of them.
“While not direct physical threats, these activities are clearly created to intimidate”, Nagel told KOIN 6 News.
“We’re going through the refuge files and permits, to expose numerous things that they’ve done here”, protest leader Ammon Bundy admitted.
At a community meeting Monday, Harney County residents asked the group to leave, although some said they shared the activists’ frustration with the federal government.
He said officers and employees have reported being followed to their homes and observed while inside and that self-identified “militia members” have tried to engage them in debates about their status as federal employees.
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One reason for the continued large law enforcement presence in town, anyway, according to Sheriff Ward, is that armed militants who’ve traveled to this remote corner of OR from around the US continue to create anxiety for locals.
