Armed Oregon Protestors
There has been an increased number of vandalism, harassment, and intimidation reports since protestors came to occupy the Malheur Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. Law enforcement is seeking to peacefully resolve the situation.
Protestors have stationed themselves at the refuge since the beginning of January. It started because they opposed the conviction of Dwight Hammond and his son who were found guilty of committing arson on federal lands in Oregon, but it changed into a rally against the role of the federal government regarding land rights.
The movement is led by Ammon Bundy, son of Cliven Bundy, a Nevada rancher who staged a similar standoff with the federal government in Nevada after Cliven Bundy refused to pay about $1 million in federal grazing fees. Ammon Bundy has tried to bring his anti-government message to Oregon, with the stated purpose of making a show of solidarity with the Hammonds. However, the Hammonds did not ask for this support and have stated the Bundys do no speak for them.
Law enforcement and employees of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, who run the refuge, have been harassed by the protestors. Employees have seen cars driving slowly or parked in front of their homes. "Self-identified militia members" approach them in public and try to engage in a debate about the federal government. Some public members are calling the protestors 'domestic terrorists'.
***Update January 27***The standoff has been broken. All the leaders arrested, one of them wounded and one of them killed.
Comments from Allen:
I would not be opposed to Congress investigating actions by the federal government to force ranchers off their land over the past 40 years in this section of Oregon. The Hammonds are one family that decided to remain on their land and not sell to the government, despite pressure, for decades, to do so. However, this has nothing to do with Ammon Bundy.
These protesters appear to be the redneck version of the "occupy-anything-we-don't-own" movement. Ammon Bundy showing his continued contempt for the federal government, and he desires to be a leader of a movement. He knows the feds did not shoot him last time he did this, and he figures, rightly so, that they are not going to shoot him this time.
Have they protesters broken any laws? Sure.
They are trespassing by occupying a vacant federal government building.
When they were asked to leave and refused, the federal government installed surveillance cameras, which the protesters promptly removed. This was probably also a trespass, and destruction of government property (by cutting the wires).
Has there been any actual harm done to anyone? Apparently not, and since this small group is just camped out, shaking guns at cameras and making noise in the cold and snow, the feds have decided to wait them out.
I believe the wait-them-out strategy is wise. Apparently the feds learned their lesson at Ruby Ridge and Waco: you don't kill people just because they are not cooperating with you. Charges don't have to be brought this year. Once the leaders get tired of standing around in the cold, and the cameras go away and their bored followers leave, they can be arrested and appropriate charges can be filed.
I have contacted attorneys connected with this case and inquired about charges that will be brought. Because detectives have not been sent to the site to assess the damage to the area, they have not stated which charges they anticipate bringing.
I will update this blog at a later date when more information is available.
Allen is able to provide his services if the incident occurs in the following Idaho Areas: American Falls, Arco, Blackfoot, Boise, Burley, Driggs, Idaho Falls, Malad City, Pocatello, Rexburg, Rigby, Salmon, St. Anthony, Twin Falls, Bannock County, Bingham County, Bonneville County, Butte County, Cassia County, Clark County, Fremont County, Jefferson County, Lemhi County, Madison County, Oneida County, Power County, Teton County, and Twin Falls County.
Sources for more information:
http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/05/us/oregon-wildlife-refuge-armed-protest/
http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/04/us/oregon-wildlife-refuge-what-bundy-wants/
Protestors have stationed themselves at the refuge since the beginning of January. It started because they opposed the conviction of Dwight Hammond and his son who were found guilty of committing arson on federal lands in Oregon, but it changed into a rally against the role of the federal government regarding land rights.
The movement is led by Ammon Bundy, son of Cliven Bundy, a Nevada rancher who staged a similar standoff with the federal government in Nevada after Cliven Bundy refused to pay about $1 million in federal grazing fees. Ammon Bundy has tried to bring his anti-government message to Oregon, with the stated purpose of making a show of solidarity with the Hammonds. However, the Hammonds did not ask for this support and have stated the Bundys do no speak for them.
Law enforcement and employees of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, who run the refuge, have been harassed by the protestors. Employees have seen cars driving slowly or parked in front of their homes. "Self-identified militia members" approach them in public and try to engage in a debate about the federal government. Some public members are calling the protestors 'domestic terrorists'.
***Update January 27***The standoff has been broken. All the leaders arrested, one of them wounded and one of them killed.
Comments from Allen:
I would not be opposed to Congress investigating actions by the federal government to force ranchers off their land over the past 40 years in this section of Oregon. The Hammonds are one family that decided to remain on their land and not sell to the government, despite pressure, for decades, to do so. However, this has nothing to do with Ammon Bundy.
These protesters appear to be the redneck version of the "occupy-anything-we-don't-own" movement. Ammon Bundy showing his continued contempt for the federal government, and he desires to be a leader of a movement. He knows the feds did not shoot him last time he did this, and he figures, rightly so, that they are not going to shoot him this time.
Have they protesters broken any laws? Sure.
They are trespassing by occupying a vacant federal government building.
When they were asked to leave and refused, the federal government installed surveillance cameras, which the protesters promptly removed. This was probably also a trespass, and destruction of government property (by cutting the wires).
Has there been any actual harm done to anyone? Apparently not, and since this small group is just camped out, shaking guns at cameras and making noise in the cold and snow, the feds have decided to wait them out.
I believe the wait-them-out strategy is wise. Apparently the feds learned their lesson at Ruby Ridge and Waco: you don't kill people just because they are not cooperating with you. Charges don't have to be brought this year. Once the leaders get tired of standing around in the cold, and the cameras go away and their bored followers leave, they can be arrested and appropriate charges can be filed.
I have contacted attorneys connected with this case and inquired about charges that will be brought. Because detectives have not been sent to the site to assess the damage to the area, they have not stated which charges they anticipate bringing.
I will update this blog at a later date when more information is available.
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Allen Browning is an attorney in Idaho Falls, Idaho who handles personal injury and criminal defense. He has over 30 years of experience and handled thousands of cases. Allen handles cases from all over Idaho. Call (208) 542-2700 to set up a free consultation if you are facing legal trouble or you have been involved in an accident.
Also, check out browninglaw.net for more information about Allen and Browning Law.
Allen Browning can help with all personal injury claims including motor vehicle accidents,truck accidents, auto accidents, serious and disabling accidents, and wrongful death claims.
Allen Browning is an Idaho Falls attorney who can also help with drunk driving (DUI), traffic violations, Felony, Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, Drug Crimes, Theft, Juvenile Crimes, battery and assault charges, Violent Crimes, and Probation/Parole Violations. He is one of the most experienced and successful criminal defense attorneys in Idaho.
Allen is able to provide his services if the incident occurs in the following Idaho Areas: American Falls, Arco, Blackfoot, Boise, Burley, Driggs, Idaho Falls, Malad City, Pocatello, Rexburg, Rigby, Salmon, St. Anthony, Twin Falls, Bannock County, Bingham County, Bonneville County, Butte County, Cassia County, Clark County, Fremont County, Jefferson County, Lemhi County, Madison County, Oneida County, Power County, Teton County, and Twin Falls County.
Sources for more information:
http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/05/us/oregon-wildlife-refuge-armed-protest/
http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/04/us/oregon-wildlife-refuge-what-bundy-wants/
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