Members of an anti-government militia have occupied the headquarters of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in a remote region of eastern OR for over a week, protesting what they claim is an overreaching federal government.
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At the Malheur national wildlife refuge Saturday, a large group of armed men pulled into the compound in more than a dozen cars.
The leader of the group told The Oregonian they came to the refuge to “de-escalate” the situation by providing security at the federal building, but Bundy didn’t want the group there and asked them to leave.
The move followed a demonstration in support of two local ranchers, Dwight Hammond Jr. and his son Steven, who were returned to prison earlier this week for setting fires that spread to federal land.
An Oregon state legislator has met with the armed group occupying a national wildlife area to protest federal land policies.
Rep. Dallas Heard, a Republican from Roseburg, talked with the group, The Oregonian reported (http://bit.ly/1kYvDYV).
The Pacific Patriots Network has previously said that while it agrees with Bundy’s land rights grievances, it does not support the occupation, a position leader Brandon Rapolla reiterated during the meeting. Heard did not return a call Sunday from The Associated Press.
Rancher Jerry Miller, 79, delivers hay to his cattle Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, on his ranch, in Crane, Ore.
A Dont Tread On Me flag flies at the entrance of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, near Burns, Ore. And while they have drawn supporters to the site, more opponents and critics also have shown up, one Monday with a cardboard sign that said “Get the flock out of my wildlife refuge”.
The community’s own protest over the two jailed ranchers is rooted in their long-held disdain for the federal government’s control over most of the land in Harney County. If you would like to discuss another topic, look for a relevant article.
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