Why the government hasn’t just turned off the power at the building in Burns, Ore., is a question the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and local law enforcement officials have yet to answer.
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Ammon Bundy told reporters that occupiers were going through refuge files “to expose numerous things that they’ve done here”, KTVZ reported.
Another protester, who was holding a sign that said “Get the flock outta my wildlife refuge”, told KTVZ, “I never thought I’d have to say this, but I’m here to oppose the armed occupation of a wildlife refuge”.
Because of the volatile situation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, public lands supporters are strongly discouraged from visiting Harney County at this time.
John McLean and more than 300 people showed up for a community meeting in Burns, Oregon, Monday night to discuss the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge by an armed group.
They’ve said the 7 p.m. meeting will go on, with or without a meeting space furnished by the county or another community group.
Militia leader Ammon Bundy reportedly said that his group’s members had not breached the computers. Apparently right-wing militias are very earnest and really believed that no one would even think to troll them, because according to the video above, they’re surprised and disappointed that they received a bunch of dicks.
Bundy and his out-of-state crew say they want the federal government to give local ranchers control of public land in rural OR – and that they plan to stay put until they are confident that Burns residents are in a good position to advocate for their land-use rights. The protesters say their action reflects their grievances over the federal prosecution of two eastern OR ranchers on arson charges and broader opposition to federal land-management policies in the West.
But committee member Chris Briels, a retired Burns fire chief who held a part-time position acting as the county fire marshal, said he had resigned that post over the county’s refusal to host the meeting.
Some of the occupiers have been able to leave and return to the refuge center. “I’m done living in fear of an oppressing force”, said Ritzheimer.
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