As Ammon Bundy and his Oregon protestors – or “militia,” as the liberal media refers to them – enter the second week of their standoff in Burns, Oregon, conservative supporters from around the country are eager to join – including unwanted ones.
But unwanted news probably has the federal government none too happy. Reports are that Bundy said his group has accessed files to expose the government, and they have video evidence that the Bureau of Land Management is responsible for the fires on the Hammonds’ land. Those would be the very same fires the Hammond’s were convicted of starting… the fires that set this whole conflict ablaze.
From ABCNews:
The leader of a small, armed group occupying a national wildlife refuge in southeastern Oregon said Monday he and his followers are going through government documents stored inside refuge buildings.
Ammon Bundy told reporters the documents will be used to “expose” how the government has discriminated [against] local ranchers who use federal land for cattle grazing.
Bundy said the documents would also help secure the release of Steven and Dwight Hammond, two area ranchers convicted of arson who returned to prison last week to serve longer sentences. The Hammonds’ case set off the occupation of the Burns-area refuge on Jan. 2.
Bundy said his group is not accessing government computers at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, including personnel files.
After the news conference, the group drove in a convoy to a ranch near the refuge and tore down a stretch of government-erected fence. The goal, according to the armed men, was to give the rancher access to the range that had been blocked for years. It’s not clear where the fence was located or which rancher sought the group’s help.
The refuge is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Spokesman Jason Holm said because the documents and files at the refuge may have personally identifiable information, the agency “is taking necessary steps to ensure employee and family safety.”
Here is an updated video report:
H/T: Oregon Live, ABCNews
I don’t know what the future holds for this group, but the situation looks to be escalating and who knows where things will go from there. What are your thoughts about the standoff and the actions of the militia? Share your comments below.
