Cliven Bundy, the Nevada rancher who led a standoff with the federal government in 2014, wants the protesters in Oregon to stand their ground – directly defying the message of his son, Ammon.
Days after militia leader Ammon Bundy, now in jail in Portland, Oregon, called on the final four occupiers at the Malheur national wildlife refuge to surrender and go home, the elder Bundy sent a letter to government officials declaring that the armed militia would not be backing down.
“This is notice that We the People of Harney County and also We the People of the citizens of the United States DO GIVE NOTICE THAT WE WILL RETAIN POSSESSION OF THE HARNEY COUNTY RESOURCE CENTER,” Cliven wrote in the letter, which he sent on Monday to the local sheriff, Oregon governor Kate Brown, and the White House.
The armed militia in Oregon renamed the federally protected refuge the “Harney County Resource Center” and for weeks since the occupation began said their goal was to return the public lands to the control of local people.
But since 11 people associated with the militia were arrested – and occupation spokesman LaVoy Finicum was shot and killed by state troopers – leader Ammon Bundy has called on the holdouts to end the protest.
Cliven Bundy, however, declared today that he wants the opposite to occur.
“What this is saying is that Cliven Bundy is taking control of things,” Cliven said in an interview from his ranch in Bunkerville, Nevada, on Monday afternoon. “If we don’t retain it, then we’ve lost everything that we’ve done in the last two months. We’re not gonna give up.”
He added: “This is not Ammon’s message. This is my message … We’ve made a decision to retain it … The feds are going to get out of there.”
The letter demands further: “Remove all federal and state policing agents out of Harney County.”
Cliven said he suspected that his imprisoned son felt pressured to urge the remaining occupiers to go home. “That’s what he said, but I never believed it. I don’t think that’s what’s in his heart. He probably got his arm twisted.”
Cliven said he has not talked to his son since he was arrested last Tuesday. Ammon, his brother Ryan, and a group of activists are facing federal felony charges for their roles in the occupation of government buildings, which began on 2 January to protest the imprisonment of two local ranchers.
Carol Bundy, Cliven’s wife, said in an interview that it was crucial the occupation persevere. “Ammon does not want bloodshed. But he wants the message to continue,” said Carol. “We’ve made a statement. We’ve made a stand. And we’d like to hold out.”
The four remaining occupiers have posted videos online saying they refused to leave unless they had assurances that they would not face charges. The four left are David Fry, a 27-year-old Ohio resident, Jeff Banta of Elko, Nevada, and husband and wife Sean and Sandy Anderson of Riggins, Idaho.
Speaking through his lawyer after his first court appearance last week, Ammon issued a statement that said: “To those who remain at the refuge, I love you. Let us take this fight from here … Please stand down. Go home and hug your families. This fight is ours for now, in the courts.”
No telling what Ammon Bundy said or didn’t say. Cliven Bundy probably knows that his sons won’t be getting out of jail anyways soon. Shawna Cox
son-in-law just died in a fire in HER home. She will most likely be under a gag order soon. This game is for keeps. If they back down, they will have sacrificed the lives of two people, as well as the others rotting in jail, and four lives in jeopardy at the refuge. God bless Cliven and Carol Bundy for standing up for HUMAN RIGHTS in the face of all this carnage! People are born every minute, but heroes like these only come every so often. These were born for THIS time…
Bad move Cliven!
That was my thought Wade. Let’s get them out of jail. We can always fight another day. Be safe on your trip to Kanab; and represent us well. Again; thanks for all you do for us.
My Pleasure Jim, I like the fact that they are not backing down. Cliven Bundy’s friend was Murdered and if it were my friend i would probably be thinking like Mr Bundy. But to go into that hornets nest is suicide. I do not know what a title 3 court is but if that is the way to change this fiasco, so be it.
I don’t see how the FBI is going to let these people out of jail. I think that is why Cliven Bundy made this move. He probably figures that it’s all or nothing at this point…Judgment call, right OR wrong…I feel bad for every one of these people.
Has anyone checked the ley lines of this Refuge, is there some kind of masonic meaning to this place?
There is a very important place for the Masons just northeast of there. It is a lavatube cave that they host meetings at; even international attendees. You can google Malheur cave for more info.
They just ambushed and murdered a good man. giving up now would be handing them a big victory while other good people are sitting in jail to boot. When exactly are people going to stand their ground and not back down…next year?..next decade? It will be too late by then.
Agreed Alf, it is F’n tragic!