Cliven Bundy and his clan were not prosecuted for their armed standoff with federal land management employees earlier this year. But an ATV protest ride – which happened just after the standoff and was closely associated with the Bundy protest has not been so lucky. Five Utah men have now been charged with federal misdemeanor conspiracy and misuse of federal lands tied to the protest.
From the Durango Herald …
About 50 people participated in the ride, which came shortly after the BLM had a confrontation with Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy. Bundy’s son Ryan Bundy attended the Blanding pre-ride rally and spoke before about 300 people gathered there, including media from around the region. Ryan Bundy also participated in the ride.
The five men charged are: San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman, Monte Wells of Monticello, Jay Redd of Santa Clara, Shane Marian of Monticello and Franklin Holliday of Blanding.
The five are each facing two counts, one of conspiracy to ride the ATVs and one of riding the vehicles on closed public land. Each carries a potential penalty of up to a year in jail and a fine of $100,000.
The picture above is of Ryan Bundy, son of clan patriarch Cliven. But despite riding ATVs, the age of most of the participants gave a distinct impression of a procession of mobility scooters scooting against federal encroachments on liberty.
Late Update: An interesting article here which notes that an environmental activist who committed a comparable crime as an act of civil disobedience in 2008 ended up doing serious federal time. Most observers seem to think these five will manage to avoid any prison time.
