Sheriff: The Hammonds Have Turned Themselves In

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.

The Associated Press Posted: Jan 03, 2016 10:01 AM ET Last Updated: Jan 03, 2016 11:56 PM ET

The decision generated controversy and is part of a decades-long dispute between some Westerners and the federal government over the use of public lands. The issue traces back to the 1970s and the Sagebrush Rebellion, a move by Western states like Nevada to increase local control over federal land.

Critics of the push for more local control have said the federal government should administer the public lands for the widest possible uses, including environmental and recreation.
 
In an interview with The Associated Press at the wildlife refuge Sunday, Ryan Bundy, Ammon Bundy’s brother, said the protesters’ ultimate goal is to turn the land over to local authorities so people can use it free of federal oversight.
They want to “restore the rights to people so they can use the land and resources” for ranching, logging, mining and recreation.
 
Ryan Bundy says the federal government has been “tromping on people’s rights and privileges and properties and livelihoods.”
 
“I understand the land needs to be used wisely, but that’s what we as stewards need to do. A rancher is going to take care of his own ranch,” Ryan Bundy said.
On Sunday, supplies were seen being delivered to the refuge area, which is remote even by rural Oregon standards.

Hammond and his son, convicted in 2012 of setting fires that spread to public land, travelled to Los Angeles on Sunday evening to turn themselves in to federal authorities, according to their lawyer W. Alan Schroeder.
Some locals fear potential of violenceHarney County Sheriff Dave Ward said the group of armed protesters came to town under false pretenses.
 
“These men came to Harney County claiming to be part of militia groups supporting local ranchers, when in reality these men had alternative motives to attempt to over throw the county and federal government in hopes to spark a movement across the United States,” Ward said in a statement on Sunday afternoon.  (VN:  well that is one sold out Sheriff no one will be able to count on in a crisis.)
 

The sheriff says he is working with local and federal authorities to keep the citizens in his county safe and to resolve the situation as quickly and peacefully as possible.
 
He is asking people to stay away from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge for their own safety. He said he does not think any other parts of the county are in immediate danger.
 
Beth Anne Steele, an FBI spokeswoman in Portland, said Saturday that the agency was aware of the situation at the national wildlife refuge. She made no further comment.
 
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, who had been briefed by the FBI agent in charge in Portland, Ore., said most local residents do not support the protesters.
 
“The overwhelming majority of people there very much want to get on with their lives without this disruption and are not in sympathy with a bunch of outsiders,” Wyden said.  (VN:  now we know why the 1 percenters believe they can take over this nation without a shot being fired.   Its citizens like that who give up their freedoms, and rights without any thought of what that will mean.  They will find out soon enough, I am afraid, unless the rest of us with some brains and sense can stop it before then.)
 
Local residents have expressed fear of potential of violence. A peaceful rally Saturday in support of the Hammonds featured speeches, flags and marching.
As marchers reached the courthouse, they tossed hundreds of pennies at the locked door. Their message: Civilians were buying back their government. After the march passed, two girls swooped in to scavenge the pennies.
 
A few blocks away, Hammond and his wife, Susan, greeted marchers, who planted flower bouquets in the snow. They sang some songs, Hammond said a few words, and the protesters marched back to their cars.​