The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Takeover

News by Camilla MortensenPosted on

The Oregonian and OPB have reporters on the scene of the Bundy occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County Oregon, aka #VanillaISIS (let's note Daesh is more appropriate, but that doesn't hashtag as well). 

High Country News has been covering the "Sagebrush Rebellion" for 40 years. Scroll down to 1994 for an article on the Malheur refuge.

OPB's Amanda Peacher's tweet showing the Bundy militia's supplies is rather telling. Her Twitter feed is worth a follow for followers of the refuge takeover.

In comparison to the events in Oregon, reading up on the saga of the Shoshone Dann sisters of Nevada in their battle for land makes for an informative read. As the columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal points out, "The Danns had the support of the United Nations, but not the endorsement of armed 'patriots' or an outpouring of assistance from conservative media outlets and right-wing political action networks."

The Portland Audobon Society weighs in on the Harney County standoff, writing:

The occupation of Malheur by armed, out of state militia groups puts one of America’s most important wildlife refuges at risk. It violates the most basic principles of the Public Trust Doctrine and holds hostage public lands and public resources to serve the very narrow political agenda of the occupiers. The occupiers have used the flimsiest of pretexts to justify their actions—the conviction of two local ranchers in a case involving arson and poaching on public lands. Notably, neither the local community or the individuals convicted have requested or endorsed the occupation or the assistance of militia groups.

And the FBI is now involved.

FBI STATEMENT ON HARNEY COUNTY SITUATION
News Release from FBI – Oregon

The FBI is working with the Harney County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police and other local and state law enforcement agencies to bring a peaceful resolution to the situation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

The FBI is the lead investigative agency for the situation at the refuge.

Due to safety considerations for both those inside the refuge as well as the law enforcement officers involved, we will not be releasing any specifics with regards to the law enforcement response.

And below (click the image for the full document) is the summary of the court case that led the Hammonds to go to prison, and the Bundys to show up in rural Oregon. The acting U.S. attorney points out the government never called the Hammonds terrorists.

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