Armed protesters occupy federal building in Oregon, calling ranchers' arson sentences unjust
A group of armed protesters that occupied a federal building over the weekend in Oregon have vowed not to leave until their demands are met.
The armed occupation, which entered its third day on Monday, began after a Saturday rally in Burns protesting five-year sentences handed down to two local ranchers convicted of arson.
A group of armed protesters then broke into the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge building 30 miles away, and have been there ever since, the Oregonian reports. According to CNN, the building was empty when the protesters broke in. CNN also reported that, as of Monday morning, there was no police presence at the building, but that federal authorities were monitoring the situation. Federal employees who ordinarily work in the building have been told to stay away.
“The FBI is working with the Harney County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police and other local and state law enforcement agencies to bring a peaceful resolution to the situation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge,” the agency’s Portland office said in a statement.
Billy Williams, the acting U.S. attorney in Oregon, has defended the sentences handed down to father-and-son ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond. Williams says that the two were rightfully convicted of setting fires in 2001 and 2006, one of which consumed 139 acres of land and was set in order to cover up poaching. Williams also noted that the five-year sentences were the mandatory minimum for the crimes the Hammonds were convicted of. An October press release from Williams’ office explains more about the circumstances surrounding the Hammonds’ convictions. The Washington Post and NPR also have in-depth articles explaining the background of the case.
As for the Hammonds, CNN reported that they have distanced themselves from the protesters. “Neither Ammon Bundy nor anyone within his group/organization speak for the Hammond family,” the Hammonds’ attorney W. Alan Schroeder wrote.
The Hammonds’ attorneys say that the father and son have every intention of reporting to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons on Monday and serving the remainder of their sentences, although they will seek executive clemency from President Barack Obama. “Dwight and Steven Hammond respect the rule of law,” wrote the Hammonds’ attorneys, in a statement quoted by the Oregonian. “They have litigated this matter within the federal courts for over five years and, in every instance, have followed the order of the court without incident or violation.”
According to CNN, the armed protesters occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge have not explicitly stated what their demands are, despite having vowed to do whatever they have to in order to get what they want. “We will be here as long as it takes,” Ammon Bundy told CNN from inside the building. “We have no intentions of using force upon anyone, (but) if force is used against us, we would defend ourselves.” Ammon Bundy is the son of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, who had his own standoff with federal authorities in 2014.
According to Bundy, the group believes that the Hammonds were unfairly convicted and given excessive sentences. However, when asked about his group’s demands, Bundy responded in general terms. “The people will need to be able to use the land and resources without fear as free men and women,” said Bundy. “We know it will take some time.” He also did not explicitly call on federal authorities to reduce or commute the Hammonds’ sentences.
