“These men came to Harney County claiming to be part of militia groups supporting local ranchers, when in reality these men had alternative motives,” Harney County Sheriff David Ward said in a statement Sunday.
Rebecca Boone / AP
As an armed militia group remained in control of a federal building in rural, southeastern Oregon on Sunday, the local sheriff said their motive was not solidarity with local ranchers, but rather an attempt to spark a larger movement to overthrow the government.
The group — estimated by reporters to be between 12 and 25 men — seized the headquarters of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge on Saturday following a protest in support of two local ranchers in the town of Burns, about 30 miles away. Among them was Ammon Bundy, the son of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, who had previously clashed with federal Bureau of Land Management.
No federal employees were inside the building at the time, and authorities said they do not believe other areas of Harney County are in danger. Still, Harney County Sheriff David Ward asked residents to stay away from the refuge as well as the militia men.
"We are currently working jointly with several organizations to make sure the citizens of Harney County are safe and this issue is resolved as quickly and peaceful as possible," Harney said in a statement on Sunday.
SOURCE: BuzzFeed
No comments:
Post a Comment