A potentially dangerous situation is unfolding in Burns, Oregon where an unknown number of militia members including two sons of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy have taken over a remote Federal wildlife station:
Report: Militia has occupied building at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge outside Burns. Gathering more.
— Les Zaitz (@LesZaitz) January 3, 2016
Splinter group of militia have occupied the headquarters building at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Group includes Ammon Bundy.
— Les Zaitz (@LesZaitz) January 3, 2016
Ammon Bundy said in Facebook video they have taken over refuge to use as militia base for years. Called patriots from U.S. to come.
— Les Zaitz (@LesZaitz) January 3, 2016
MILITIA UPDATE: Sheriff Dave Ward: "Militants drove to the Malheur Wildlife Refuge, where they seized and occupied the refuge headquarters."
— Les Zaitz (@LesZaitz) January 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/jason_a_w/status/683482421778452480
They’re in Oregon to protest the upcoming jail sentence of local ranchers Dwight Hammond Jr. and his son, Steve, who were convicted on federal arson charges earlier this year:
What's drawing the militia to Oregon? My story of the ranchers and their criminal charges. https://t.co/GT9xGag8WU pic.twitter.com/xz6mvl1QMn
— Les Zaitz (@LesZaitz) December 31, 2015
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Hammond and his son, however, don’t want their help: From CBS News:
However, the Hammond family, the Oregon ranchers at the center of the dispute, say they don’t want them there, reports CBS affiliate KOIN in Portland, Ore.
We don’t have an exact number of militia members who’ve taken over the wildlife center, but there are reports that there are as many as 100 of them already on site:
Ammon Bundy would not confirm how many people are at the refuge because of "operational security" #Oregon
— Ryan Haas (@ryanjhaas) January 3, 2016
Pete Santilli, a militia media resource, says on webcast that 100 people are at wildlife refuge. "Lives are in jeopardy," he says.
— Les Zaitz (@LesZaitz) January 3, 2016
The Bundys say they “want to start a movement” and are “ready to die” if necessary:
Bundy said feds' actions are violation of constitution. Founding fathers were ready to die, and so are they. #OregonUnderAttack
— Ian Kullgren (@IanKullgren) January 3, 2016
2 Bundys said they're not planning on attacking unless they're attacked. Said they want to start a movement. #Oregonstandoff
— Ian Kullgren (@IanKullgren) January 3, 2016
Bundys said their goal is not violence. They want to start a movement. #Oregonunderattack
— Ian Kullgren (@IanKullgren) January 3, 2016
We don't know for sure if they have weapons/what kind. They won't say. Mostly insinuations. #oregonunderattack
— Ian Kullgren (@IanKullgren) January 3, 2016
According to Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward. “A collective effort from multiple agencies is currently working on a solution.”
Expect a larger response tomorrow:
https://twitter.com/jason_a_w/status/683517762627485696
https://twitter.com/jason_a_w/status/683518161870667776
To be continued.
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