Ammon Bundy, one of the armed militia members occupying a building on federal land at an Oregon national wildlife refuge, told ABC News this morning that, while their protest is peaceful, the group is armed “because we understand that in order to truly express our 1st Amendment rights, we have to have our 2nd Amendment rights.”
“It’s important that we stand and people know that we’re serious,” Bundy, 40, said on “Good Morning America.”
The militia members occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge set up a roadblock, and two armed members manned a guard tower that is usually used to spot wildfires. But there was no sign of law enforcement in the area, and local police said they had no intention of going to the scene, not even to keep watch on the militia.
Ammon Bundy said Sunday that the group’s actions are not aggressive and there is no damage or criminal activity.
Local Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward has accused the group of “claiming to be part of militia groups supporting local ranchers, when in reality these men had alternative motives to attempt to over throw the county and federal government in hopes to spark a movement across the United States.”
Bundy, the son of rancher Cliven Bundy — who was involved in a standoff with the government over grazing rights in Nevada in 2014 — told ABC News that Ward is wrong.
“He’s ignored the people,” Bundy said. “We have worked with him for several months now trying to get him to stand, and make a stand for the Hammonds. He’s refused to do it.
“The rest of America can see that there’s something wrong,” Bundy said. “The sheriff is not listening.”
The protest began Saturday as a rally in support of Harney County ranchers Dwight Hammond Jr. and Steven Hammond, who are to report to prison today for arson. The two men were convicted of setting fires on lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), “on which the Hammonds had grazing rights leased to them for their cattle operation,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
After the rally for the Hammonds on Saturday, militia, along with the Bundy family, initiated the occupation of the headquarters of the wildlife refuge. Ryan Bundy and another of Ammon Bundy’s brothers are also among the occupiers, according to The Associated Press.
Bundy told ABC News today that he does not speak for the Hammonds, but added, “We have spoken many, many times, and we understand each other on this issue.”
“The Hammonds are only going to jail because they just feel there’s nothing else for them to do,” Bundy said. “But they very well know that this is wrong, along with all their neighbors and the other ranchers in the area.”
The refuge is federal property managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and was closed for the holiday weekend.
A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesperson told ABC News Sunday: “The Fish and Wildlife Service and The Bureau of Land Management have received reports that an unknown number of individuals have broken into the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge facility near Burns, Oregon. While the situation is ongoing, the main concern is employee safety and we can confirm that no federal staff were in the building at the time of the initial incident. We will continue to monitor the situation for additional developments.”
Sheriff Ward said, “We are currently working jointly with several organizations to make sure the citizens of Harney County are safe and this issue is resolved as quickly and peaceful as possible,” adding that no other areas in Harney County are in “immediate danger.”
“We ask that people stay away from the refuge for their safety,” Ward said. “We also ask that if anyone sees any of these individuals in the area to please contact law enforcement and do not confront the individuals themselves.”
Harney County School District No. 3 schools will be closed this week, Superintendent Dr. Marilyn L. McBride told ABC News Sunday.
“Ensuring staff and student safety is our greatest concern,” McBride said.
“Why do you have guns” well punk George, because it’s my right as an American National and for that matter, as a living soul.
George, don’t pull this “compound” rhetoric. I hear Waco in the making.
George is a dirt bag………Misty posted this yesterday (an excellent article) don’t know if you saw this https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/723
No, but am going to read, thanks.
The commie-pedia version has already been posted: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militia_occupation_of_the_Malheur_National_Wildlife_Refuge
The old man is gonna end up dieing in prison. They shouldn’t turn themselves in…
One of the good things about all this is that this is being aired on the sheeple box and maybe just maybe a few more will feel a spark in their brain and decide to investigate further
I’ll post this again: https://youtu.be/rpkm6iSd–c
A few minutes of investigation there, and boy howdy,it ain’t like you think!
“Local Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward has accused the group of “claiming to be part of militia groups supporting local ranchers, when in reality these men had alternative motives to attempt to over throw the county and federal government in hopes to spark a movement across the United States.”
Ward is an unmitigated MORON.
Overthrow the federal (so-called) ‘government’ by taking over a shack out in the sticks?
“The Hammonds are only going to jail because they just feel there’s nothing else for them to do,”
Acquiescence… their freedom for their lives.
However… ANYTHING can happen in prison.
As you know the fed government was overthrown long ago……all those holding elected office right now know that
If it is unconstitutional for the federal government to own land and the rightful owners are the states and the peoples of said states then why is there a violation to begin with. How can they defend their actions of saying someone damaged property they stole?
“How can they defend their actions of saying someone damaged property they stole?”
At gunpoint?
Balls of Brass!
Godbless Ammon and the rest of these Men.
The Hammonds are in jail for a second arson convection and a charge of terrorism because there was a camp of firefighters near by and the Hammonds knew that their backfire could very possibly overtake their camp and endanger their lives.
If it’s about the States right to control lands inside their borders, then make it about that, not some criminals. I read the case notes and sentencing in the case and the fed has precedence in the case so it wasn’t the miscarriage of justice that it is being used as a rally. I love my God and country, I am a 70% disabled Veteran from the first Iraqi war for oil and I share a lot of the same views with a lot of you all, but please be careful who’s bandwagon you get on and truly know the who and why before you commit to giving the ultimate sacrifice. God bless us all. It’s not hate it’s history. I for one will teach my
children about the genocide perpetrated by Lincoln when the fed tried to take state’s right away.
Words of Widom Jason.
Someone is diverting this from the real issue…double jeopardy! Apparently the Hammand’s don’t give two wooden nickels about that? Something for sure smells…..maybe they sold their soul to the devil?