The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in rural, eastern Oregon, is closed until further notice, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says, amid an occupation of the federally owned land by armed militia members.
The refuge is remote; located 30 miles outside the nearest town of Diamond, Oregon.
The militia members set up a roadblock there this weekend 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.
The protest began Saturday as a rally in support of two local ranchers who reported to prison on Monday for arson. The two men were convicted of setting fires on lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
After the rally Saturday, armed militia initiated the occupation of the headquarters of the wildlife refuge.
Here's a closer look inside the remote property:
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2 comments:
I hope their statement reverses the jail term on these farmers.
Farming is not a crime.
Must be some of that White Privilege at work,America at it's best.
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