Here are a few updates on what we know about what’s going on at the militia takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Center near Burns, Oregon.
Apparently, the forcible takeover of the refuge wasn’t so forcible after all:
I asked how #bundymilitia got into the refuge buildings. They found a whole set of keys.
— Amanda Peacher (@amandapeacher) January 3, 2016
Spent quite a bit of time at the wildlife refuge today – calm, quiet, no signs of damage. How'd they get in? They found a "stack of keys."
— Les Zaitz (@LesZaitz) January 3, 2016
@ryanjhaas @OPB Who gave them the keys?
— Jennifer Roberts (@jshermanroberts) January 3, 2016
A good question.
And the barricade at the entrance to the refuge center seems to be just one truck:
#BundyMilitia have blocked the entrance to the refuge. pic.twitter.com/4StnviCqSx
— Amanda Peacher (@amandapeacher) January 3, 2016
"I didn't come here to shoot I came here to die."#bundymilitia, (will ID only as "Capt. Moroni") pic.twitter.com/sh83SfWTll
— Amanda Peacher (@amandapeacher) January 3, 2016
As for law enforcement, they’re a no show:
So, no law enforcement here in Burns. Waiting to to see the occupied buildings. Militia coming up to escort us.
— Ian Kullgren (@IanKullgren) January 3, 2016
I haven't seen a single law enforcement vehicle out here. #bundyMilitia #burnsoregon
— Amanda Peacher (@amandapeacher) January 3, 2016
Which is allowing the protesters to bring in supplies:
#bundymilitia supplies head into blocked off camp. Appears to be fuel, food, hiking boots. #burnsoregon pic.twitter.com/yXWfmEu7AJ
— Amanda Peacher (@amandapeacher) January 3, 2016
Supply room at the #Bundymilitia Malheur refuge takeover. pic.twitter.com/hnJW1sqqbY
— Amanda Peacher (@amandapeacher) January 3, 2016
And signs!
In Burns, Oregon. pic.twitter.com/frNb7YfZ64
— Ian Kullgren (@IanKullgren) January 3, 2016
The actual number of militia members at the center has yet to be verified:
Reports that the #bundymilitia number 100 or more are not substantiated so far.
— Amelia Templeton (@ameliaOPB) January 3, 2016
Hard to tell how many people are at the refuge – some in the bunkhouse, some in the fire tower, in a work building. Saw maybe 20.
— Les Zaitz (@LesZaitz) January 3, 2016
Harney County Sheriff David Ward issued a statement saying the militia members are in the area to overthrow the “county and federal government in hopes to spark a movement across the United States”:
(1/2)Local sheriff issues statement: "These men came to Harney County claiming to be part of militia groups supporting local ranchers…"
— Ryan Haas (@ryanjhaas) January 3, 2016
(2/2) "when in reality these men had alternative motives to attempt to over throw the county and federal gov't in hopes to spark a movement"
— Ryan Haas (@ryanjhaas) January 3, 2016
And the softer side of militia members is on display.
Militia guys are offering to help a reporter change a flat tire. Aww.
— Ian Kullgren (@IanKullgren) January 3, 2016
Better than AAA!
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