Sheriff David Ward and Ammon Bundy crossed paths on “neutral ground” Thursday to hash out a “peaceful” end to a standoff a federal wildlife refuge — but after shaking hands with the sheriff, Bundy and his followers remained.
Ammon Bundy, right, meets with Harney County, Oregon, Sheriff David Ward.
Jim Urquhart / Reuters
The leader of the militia who took over the a national wildlife refuge in Oregon declined the local sheriff's invitation to be escorted out of the state on Thursday, setting the stage for another round of in-person negotiations.
The meeting at the intersection of two remote rural roads took place between Harney County Sheriff David Ward and Ammon Bundy, the leader of the men who took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The sheriff had spoken with some of the men before, but it was the first face-to-face encounter since the standoff began late last week.
The Sheriff's Department had announced beforehand that the goal was a "peaceful resolution."
The sheriff said he was not meeting with the intention of making an arrest, but he asked the occupiers to "leave and respect the wishes" of locals. The Oregonian also described the location as "neutral ground" and reported that Ward was accompanied by sheriffs from two other counties and "three rigs carrying heavily armed law enforcement officers."
According to reporters at the scene, Bundy declined Ward's offer for an escort for his group to state lines, but the two did shake hands. Bundy added that the occupiers meant no harm to the community, and another meeting was set for Thursday.
The meeting came just one day after the community gathered to discuss the occupation. When Ward asked how many people at the gathering wanted the occupiers to go home, almost every hand in the room went up.
The occupation began Saturday evening in response to the impending imprisonment of two members of the Hammond family — ranchers based in the Burns, Oregon, area.
The two ranchers were convicted of burning over 100 acres of federal land and sentenced to five years in prison. They have since started their incarceration, but have also said the Bundys and other occupiers do not speak for them.
In addition to the meeting on Thursday, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown condemned the occupation, calling it an "unlawful" protest conducted by "outsiders whose tactics we Oregonians don't agree with."
"Those individuals illegally occupying the Malheur Wildlife Refuge need to decamp immediately and be held accountable," Brown added in her statement.
Brown's comments come as pressure continues to mount against the occupiers. Though they have argued that they are protesting government overreach, many community members and local authorities have repeatedly distanced themselves and called on them to leave.
Nevertheless, the occupiers themselves told BuzzFeed News this week their ranks have grown during the occupation, and even if a resolution is reached, the group may walk away with greater support than they had when the protest began.
SOURCE: BuzzFeed
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