"Now Is The Time To Stand Up": Armed Activists, Militiamen Seize Federal Wildlife Refuge Office In Oregon
On Saturday, militants seized a remote government outpost following a protest by hundreds of angry citizens.
That could very easily be the opening line for a story about a Mid-East country beset by civil war. Instead, it’s a description of what happened in Oregon yesterday.
It all started back in 2001 when Dwight Hammond and his son Steven set fire to leased government land in what they said was an effort to beat back invasive plant species and - ironically - prevent wildfires. They set more fires in 2006 and were later convicted of arson.
(the elder Hammond)
Both men served time in prison but a judge eventually determined that their sentences were too light and ordered them back to jail.
Some folks were displeased with the ruling and staged a protest that saw some 300 people march through Burns, a city of around 3,000. The procession made a stop by the Hammond residence and proceeded to make an appearance at the local sheriff's office as well.
"As marchers reached the courthouse, they tossed hundreds of pennies at the locked door. Their message: civilians were buying back their government," AP recounts. "A few blocks away, Hammond and his wife, Susan, greeted marchers, who planted flower bouquets in the snow [after which they] sang some songs, Hammond said a few words, and the protesters marched back to their cars."
Enter Ammon Bundy.
Ammon is the son of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy who famously clashed with the government last year after his cattle were kidnapped by the Feds. Around 400 of Cliven's cows were busy grazing on land Bundy said he owned when the Bureau of Land Managment began to round them up and ship them off to a bovine internment camp at Bunkerville.
The government says the cattle were grazing on public rangeland, which is legal as long as the owner pays a fee. Bundy allegedly racked up some $1 million in such fees and so, the government decided to seize the cows, which the Nevada Bureau of Land Management accused of "trespassing."
Evenutally, the cavalry arrived (literally) as cowboys rode in and broke the cows out of jail. No, really.
Fast forward to November and Bundy's son Ammon was busy trying to come up with a way to keep Dwight Hammond and his son from going back to jail. "Ammon Bundy met with Dwight Hammond and his wife in November, seeking a way to keep the elderly rancher from having to surrender for prison," The Oregonian writes, adding that "the Hammonds professed through their attorneys that they had no interest in ignoring the order to report for prison."
But while the Hammonds have apparently come to terms with their fate, Bundy hasn't and in a brazen move, he and an unspecified number of "outside militants" seized control of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge headquarters, which is a short drive from Burns (where the protest took place).
The federal outpost fell to the militants without a fight presumably because it was deserted for the holidays. Here's more from the Oregonian:
"The facility has been the tool to do all the tyranny that has been placed upon the Hammonds," Ammon Bundy said.
"We're planning on staying here for years, absolutely," he added. "This is not a decision we've made at the last minute."
"The best possible outcome is that the ranchers that have been kicked out of the area, then they will come back and reclaim their land, and the wildlife refuge will be shut down forever and the federal government will relinquish such control," he said. "What we're doing is not rebellious. What we're doing is in accordance with the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land."
"After the peaceful rally was completed today, a group of outside militants drove to the Malheur Wildlife Refuge, where they seized and occupied the refuge headquarters. A collective effort from multiple agencies is currently working on a solution. For the time being please stay away from that area. More information will be provided as it becomes available. Please maintain a peaceful and united front and allow us to work through this situation," Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward said, in a statement. The elder Bundy weighed in as well, noting that the occuption isn't “exactly what [he] thought should happen." "But I didn’t know what to do,” he added. “You know, if the Hammonds wouldn’t stand, if the sheriff didn’t stand, then, you know, the people had to do something. And I guess this is what they did decide to do. I wasn’t in on that.”
Ammon Bundy explained the rationale for the occupation as follows:
Got that? This wildlife refuge office will become "a base place where patriots from all over the country will live and be housed." Although from the looks of it, space is limited so reserve your spots now:
The Guardian apparently stopped by the refuge for a visit:
The occupation appears to have begun at about 2pm. Two hours later, the Guardian approached the refuge, which lies about 60 miles south of the town of Burns and is only accessible via a lakeside road slick with ice and banked with snow.
There were no law enforcement agents visible in the area around the refuge. A man with a goatee beard and wraparound sunglasses stood guard, armed with an AR-15-style rifle, and refused entry to the federally owned facility.
He declined to give his name or affiliation, citing “operational security”. He did confirm, however, that the men – several of whom were openly carrying assault weapons – would be camping on the site. “This public land belongs to ‘we the people’,” he said. “We’ll be here enjoying the snow and the scenery.”
This is as close as I was allowed to get to the armed militia occupying the Malheur Wildlife Refuge HQ. #burnsoregon pic.twitter.com/DPztu0VsVU
— Jason Wilson (@jason_a_w) January 3, 2016
The Guardian was allowed to take a few photographs, and then it was strongly advised to leave the scene. Within hours, police had descended on the remote corner of Harney county, blocking roads and urging members of the public to stay away.
Ammon Bundy, whose father became a folk hero among rightwing constitutionalists after his previous confrontation with federal authorities in Nevada, appeared to be a key figure.
He called for other likeminded US citizens to travel to the refuge in solidarity and to support what he said would be a symbolic showdown between impoverished farmers and overzealous federal authorities.
“We’re out here because the people have been abused long enough,” he said in a video interview posted on his Facebook page on Saturday night.
It isn't entirely clear how these "patriots" plan to last "years" in the small building without supplies but that's probably irrelevant because it's difficult to imagine the oppressors in Washington will let this go on for very long. On that note, we'll close with two quotes, one from The Oregonian and one from US Army veteran Ryan Payne who is among the occupiers.
From The Oregonian: "In phone interviews from inside the occupied building Saturday night, Ammon Bundy and his brother, Ryan Bundy, said they are not looking to hurt anyone. But they would not rule out violence if police tried to remove them, they said."
From Payne: "When local and federal authorities arrive whatever else is going to happen will happen”.
(51 votes)
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This sort of thing hits vey close to home for me. I live in a rural wilderness area. Logging, mining and tourism make up the economy. We border the largest Federal Wilderness East of the Mississippi and a large National forest together with large state forests. We have seen these battle off and on for my whole life time.
I am not familiar with the case above.
Nobody is ready for revolt as much as I am. I just get sad that the War Mongers, Bankers, Spies, Market Manipulators, the Out of control Cops, and corrupt local governments in bed with corporations are all allowed to walk free. No protest about them. No revolt against a trillion dollar failed war in iraq.
Something funny is going on w this post. I can't reply
Sorry, I had to edit my post after reading in full the original. I was off on some of my facts. So didn't want to leave it up.
I replied to you, but it was posted as a new thread. Anyway, regarding your pre-edited post, "LIHOP". lol
Someone on Twitter is saying that the occupied building is on tribal land, not federal land.
@Jack Burton: Is that Prosecutie in your avatar?
LIHOP
RT ran with this as lead story this morning. When you see it reported from abroad by RT, the case looks really serious. Over a hundred armed men? What if the State can't get them to leave? Does Obama dare act. What if 100 armed Siberians took over a Russian State asset in Omsk? What would the US Media say about 100 Armed Russians refusing to accept Federal State powers in on particular land use case? I suggest US Media would be going insane right now if this was in Russia!
What if 100 armed men took over a collapsing, blighted slum in the Bronx?
There is a kernel of truth to the "white privilege" accusation, and it's just gravy for the divide-and-conquer crowd.
Well does Philly count?
http://globalgrind.com/2013/09/26/11-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-tim...
There is no kernel of truth in the "white privilege" accusation. Do you see these people burning down businesses that had nothing to do with the oppression they are protesting? The people of Ferguson had good reason to protest the sham Grand Jury and the turning of a blind eye to Darren Wilson's perjury as well as the FBI threatening witnesses. The people of Baltimore had good reason to protest the killing of Freddie Gray. None of them had a reason to burn down their neighborhoods and steal beer while tripping over their sagging pants. The difference isn't "White Privilege" it is "Black Stupidity." Now, as for the media playing up the rioters and not the good people who were angry at the incidents but who didn't riot - that is just the media not giving a shit about teling a true story and want to to tell any story that riles up readers.
No one cares about the unproductive, parasitic, and unmotivated, regardless of race. Get that through your thick skull.
Just been on to CNN American News. Not a word. As you say if this were happening in Russia it'd be the lead all over the media. Probably with the speculative headline "Putin reportedly considering a massacre of protestors".
The RT story kinda off some, maybe hasty, Ag is my expertise, and I understand these people.
Salt of earth. Hardest workers, most fair you will find. Further away big city is best people.
Your compare Siberians interesting, as there has been protests by Siberians, Kremlin respect and listened seriously, several policy reversals.
search about Tomsk, big IT/University City looks to be place of future Russia/Chine contact center
Think how Crimeans polled before referendum and now polled result to reject Kiev supply electric....
As far as Siberians, read exact what Skorzeny told about meet first Siberian troops at Borodino before Moscow.
Siberians are good people. I am not sure how many Americans can compare.
Seem many now brainwashed enough to hang John Wayne as terrist.
Hi Jack!
They think they are well prepared. I would assume the government will starve them out and they will all go to jail (the new industry). The only way they can win is if the government does something really stupid...like kill some of them. Interesting to watch but I don't think they can win. The deck is so stacked against the citizen now that the government wins 99% of it's cases(I wonder if King George won this many). This is what gave those judges power. They are simply drunk on power. The people need to rise up and I think Bundy quietly said it all. People need to come and help them. If enough people would show up the government might be forced to back down.
If this was going on in Russia....the government would be posting minute by minute updates on Facebook and Twitter.
What would they call this if the weren't white but instead muslims, haha!
First of all, it wouldn't be allowed to get to that point. Which is why we should all be on alert to who is allowed to "demonstrate", and for "what", and judge the scene accordingly.
Muslims already have their own Sharia law enforcement zones carved out in sections of this country. Government does not bother them since they might resort to use of force. Force or the threat of it's use is all government seems to know. So sad.
Finally some "folks" have had enough. This made my day. Now everybody else get off your asses as well.
Government enforcement will risk their lives to follow orders, but not risk their pensions to follow oaths. That is not bravery. That is self serving cowardice.
Governemnt officials care about pensions first, second and last.
The good people of Oregon have been battling the BLM and the Forest Service as far back as the 1950’s when private ranchers and loggers were pushed aside in favor of timber barons’ corporate monopoly in harvesting timber. The Oregon communities that depended on “sustainable yield” from the timber and grazing lands were totally dispossessed.
I remember in the 1990’s that the dispossessed Oregonians burned down the Forest Service headquarters and the “Piss Fir Willies” built another Forest Service “out-post” and the protesters again burned it down. As far I know, the protesters were never captured. That strategy seemed to work quite well.
John Galt is everywhere!
In reply to James Taffican't: Who is John Galt?--We are John Galt!
Thank God this is finally happening. I have waited years for this. We are well overdue for a revolution.
We all start with baby steps. Hopefully it turns into Big foot steps!
More votes for Trump re "stupid" government. The MSM must be pissing their pants that they have to cover it.
O.K. One location seems to be easily delt with.
What about 10, or 100 simultaneously?
Now we have a news story.
Ok so who is the sick fuck who openly wants this to scale into a bloodbath? Turn off the lights and raise your hand.
I want this on public record.
I want to kill as many government/law enforcement agents who work for jewish run federal reserve banks as possible.
I want to burn their houses and rape their wives/children.
I want to burn every jew in their synagogue. And burn the ashes.
If these guys get into a tussle, I want to help any patriots reclaim my civil rights, by killing every jew/fedgov agent possible.
Fuck you jew. Fuck you, fuck your whore diseased raveneged mother, your cock sucking faggot of a father.
I am done. The government is in open rebellion to soverign citizens and as such is no longer afforded constitutional rights.
Then head over there and start helping.
BTW, i gave you a green arrow.
Honey, when it pops off I am coming for you and your ilk.
You are the problem as you mock people here, with your hasbarat friends.
I don't have to go there to find local .gov terrorists.
I know where the locals live here. Many of them are asking for death.
I grew up with them and went to church with their parents.
The next .gov agent who even looks at me wrong is getting some lead between the eyes.
You people should know what happenes when you push the goy too far.
you mad bra?
Im not mocking anyone. You see, the thing is you are reflexible asshole and dont even know who you are addressing or why.
Why do you lie so much?
You got it. I sent a copy of your post to FBI.
Be sure to get copies and send in triplicate.
Fibbers like copies for some reason
You have to rape the children of the child rapists to stop the child rape. Got it.
Uh, no.
Hahahaha morons! What a bunch of stupid ass hillbillies.
And you're the brightest bulb in the chandelier. Fucktard.
I assume these were not paid protesters as so often make up "protests" covered by the MSM. And in liberal Oregon, no less. Interesting.
I had the same thought and it is always good to be skeptical; however, Eastern Oregon and Eastern Washington are very conservative. It is similar to California where the high population areas control the whole state. The liberals are in Portland, Eugene etc,. This is why it would be nice if we were still a republic.
These guys may be legit.
Everytime I see that Bundy incident it almost brings tears to my eyes in the belief that there maybe a chance that there is something left of this country. This isn't a result of some romanticized Hollywood version of the West either.
People need to remember that most successful rebellions are a result of self sacrifice and not due to engaging a superior enemy or being/appearing to be the aggressor. To give an example, imagine that in that Bundy situation that those police state pricks unloaded on those cowboys knocking them off their horses and leaving their bodies strung out all over the place. This would send a shockwave through the country that would make the sky shake. It would change everything. More more cowboys would come and on it goes. The fighting comes later if it can't be avoided.
This is why the cops were ordered to retreat. Eventually this will happen because the police state cannot help itself. Once the position of moral superiority is established in everyones minds, on the backs of great men who held their ground and sacrificed themselves (hearts and minds as they say), a resistance grows in power and then there is a chance. In the end success is often about sacrifice rather than some badass blaze of glory stuff.
On a side note, I don't know what it is with the name Dewight but I have never once met a person named by that name that wasn't a delighfully ornery old bastard.
I support the cause of these guys but I fear that this situation will not end well for them physically, nor as reported by mainstream 'jounalism' and 'history'.
revolution depends upon enough people willing to sacrifice their lives to make a point. the only effective .gov is one that fears the will of the people. usa .gov has no fear of the people so they do what they want.
the usa needs a lot more dorners and bundys.
"...revolution depends upon enough people willing to sacrifice their lives..."
That's BS. The government can sacrifice a lot more people than the Bundy's can. Getting killed doesn't do any good at all and I doubt if most revolutionists really believe they're going to die. Most of them figure they will the ones who survive. A revolution is useless to those who get 'sacrificed'. Dr. (Joseph) Warren would have been better off if he'd retreated before 'sacrificing' himself and the Revolution would have likely had the same outcome.
And, most successful 'revolutions' are not really revolutions - just a bunch of elites using cannon fodder (sacrifices) to get rid of a weaker bunch of elites.
The best thing to do is to let the government bankrupt itself as it will eventually. Just make sure you survive it.
What is the gov going to do shoot them up? That will ignite a civil war if anything would, and the idiots in our gov are just brain dead enough to think it would work. I dont think they are that brian dead, but maybe?
Few people care about Ruby Ridge or Waco. The goverment has successfully distorted the story on Waco.
Knowing what I know now... I have no doubt.