Been following this story for a few days- Hammond family ranchers are supposed to surrender to the Feds on Monday morning to serve time for illegally burning federal grassland adjacent to their property. Feds charged them with arson and terrorism (seems a bit strong for rangeland burning), and the old man (70YO) and son (mid 40’s) are supposed to serve five years or so.
Enter militia men from a variety of states, led by Ammon Bundy- yep, of the Cliven Bundy clan in Nevada- and various other self-styled “protectors of the Constitution”- who showed up in tiny Burns, Oregon last week and started making the locals nervous, to say the least.
At a community meeting held last night, about 60 people showed up and a lot was said, in some not so nice words. But at the end of the meeting two hours later, it seemed as if everyone agreed that the protest march set to take place today would be a non-violent affair.
Over two hours, the conversation shifted from sometimes profanity-laden declarations to agreements the Hammonds had been too harshly treated and that a peaceful rally might do some good. The meeting ended with handshakes and and then more conversations outside with cigarettes in the 7-degree weather.
But first the fear had to be faced.
"I am scared to death," said Shonna McKay, wearing a black t-shirt with "Harney County Stand Down" imprinted on the back. "Everyone here should know what your agenda is."
The Hammonds appreciate the support they’re getting, but their plan all along has been to surrender without any need for special measures to be taken.
The protest march happened today as planned, no major problems. Until this afternoon.
BURNS — An unknown number of militia have broken into and are occupying the headquarters building of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge south of here.
A government official speaking on background Saturday said initial reports had the militia entering a building that was closed for the holiday. He said they apparently brought support trailers with them.
Law enforcement officials couldn't be immediately reached for comment.
...
Ryan Payne, a U.S. Army veteran from Montana, confirmed that he is among the those occupying the refuge headquarters but refused to provide details. He said additional information will be released to militia media outlets.
Members from Oregon, Idaho and elsewhere had converged on this ranching town in recent weeks to make the federal government the target of their anger.
Now we’re all waiting to see if these militia men, who had hundreds of others join them today, are really out to “help” the Hammonds, or are simply using this as an opportunity to stage a standoff with the Feds to prove a point, have a shootout, or god knows what. I feel like the community was hoodwinked last night, and as of right now, the county law enforcement isn’t showing up.
The younger Hammond son, Steve, has had problems with the law before, when he was charged with physical abuse of his nephew.
According to police reports filed as part of the Hammonds' second sentencing, the boy previously had accused Steve Hammond of physical abuse when he was 16 and living with Dwight and Susan Hammond.
He said the Hammonds disapproved that he'd used a paperclip to carve two initials in his chest, according to a Harney County sheriff's deputy who interviewed the boy. The teenager told the investigator "Steve used a very coarse sand paper to sand off the initials," the deputy's report said. The teen said Dwight Hammond left the room but that Susan Hammond stayed, telling him to clean up afterward and "not to have a pity party," the report said.
Steve Hammond was charged with criminal mistreatment, but a diversion agreement got the charge dismissed. He had to take anger management classes, perform 40 hours of community service, and stay away from his nephew.
Dwight Hammond explained it was "decided by the family" to sand off the initials, the investigating deputy wrote. None of the Hammonds would say who did the sanding, the investigator's report said.
You can learn more about the case here, here, here, and here.
Sunday, Jan 3, 2016 · 8:28:31 AM +00:00 · mamabigdog
Folks, here’s a video posted by the people occupying a federal building on the Malheur Wildlife Refuge. Listen to them talk about how they believe they are fighting tyranny, how they are oppressed, how they plan to stay there for weeks or longer. I don’t think this is going to turn out well for anyone. Thanks to TheMagicJew for bringing this to my attention. Would have gotten it posted sooner, but I was at the movies.
Sunday, Jan 3, 2016 · 8:47:19 AM +00:00 · mamabigdog
And here we have a 12/31/2015 video from John Ritzheimer, who planned to drive to Oregon to join this “fight”, says he’s “100% willing to lay my life down in order to fight tyranny” and wants to “die a free man”. JJ MacNab from Forbes confirms he’s one of the 6-12 people holed up in this building.
Sunday, Jan 3, 2016 · 8:57:37 AM +00:00
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mamabigdog
Update at 9:15 p.m.: Statement from Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward: "After the peaceful rally was completed today, a group of outside militants drove to the Malheur Wildlife Refuge, where they seized and occupied the refuge headquarters. A collective effort from multiple agencies is currently working on a solution. For the time being please stay away from that area. More information will be provided as it becomes available. Please maintain a peaceful and united front and allow us to work through this situation."