Following the arrest of several Oregon militia leaders and the death of one militia member during a confrontation with law enforcement on Tuesday, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) called for a “peaceful resolution” to the militiamen’s occupation of a federal wildlife reserve in the state.
The situation in Harney County continues to be the subject of a federal investigation that is in progress…1/2
— Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) January 27, 2016
My priority is the safety of all Oregonians & communities. I ask for patience as officials continue pursuit of a swift & peaceful resolution
— Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) January 27, 2016
Last week, Brown called on federal authorities to “move quickly to end the occupation and hold all of the wrongdoers accountable.”
In a Tuesday evening statement, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) praised the FBI’s response to the militiamen.
“I am pleased that the FBI has listened to the concerns of the local community and responded to the illegal activity occurring in Harney County by outside extremists. The leaders of this group are now in custody and I hope that the remaining individuals occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge will peacefully surrender so this community can begin to heal the deep wounds that this illegal activity has created over the last month,” the senator said. “The locally elected leaders and state, local, and federal law enforcement are to be commended for their close coordination in working to address this crisis.”
On Tuesday evening, law enforcement arrested five members of the militia leading a standoff at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, including Ammon Bundy, in a traffic stop on an Oregon highway. One of the group’s prominent members, LaVoy Finicum, was killed in the confrontation, according to reports. One other member of the militia sustained non-life threatening injuries. Another three individuals connected to the Oregon standoff were also arrested in Oregon and other parts of the country on Tuesday.
