Authorities Prepare For ‘Armed Extremists’ To Crash Occupier’s Funeral

A memorial for LaVoy Finicum as seen on February 4, 2016, in Malheur National Forest, Ore., after he was shot and killed by police on U.S. Highway 395 north of Burns. (Photo by Alex Milan Tracy) *** Please Use Credit... A memorial for LaVoy Finicum as seen on February 4, 2016, in Malheur National Forest, Ore., after he was shot and killed by police on U.S. Highway 395 north of Burns. (Photo by Alex Milan Tracy) *** Please Use Credit from Credit Field *** MORE LESS
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Authorities in Utah are preparing for a scenario in which “armed extremists” crash the funeral of LaVoy Finicum, a leader of the Oregon occupation who was killed last week in a confrontation with police.

An advisory issued Wednesday by the Utah Statewide Information and Analysis Center — and reported on by the libertarian outlet Reason — alerts law enforcement officials near Kanab, Utah, where the funeral is being held Friday, to be “vigilant and aware that confrontation with these potentially volatile persons, may include more than one individual.” The advisory notes that the Finicum family has asked for a quiet service; “however, extremists may utilize such a high profile funeral for media attention or to further ideological beliefs.”

“With the amount of support on social media which some domestic extremists involved in the funeral have received, law enforcement should remain cognizant of the likelihood of the presence of domestic extremists travelling [sic] within their [area of responsibility],” it said. “This may include both militia extremists and sovereign citizen extremists.

The advisory goes on to display the types of flags anti-government militant-types are known to carry, including the Gadsden flag, III% flags and the Oath Keeper’s symbol.

It notes “some or parts of these symbols are representative of patriotic and American revolutionary themes; they are often associated with extremism:”

The Utah Statewide Information and Analysis Center is a so-called “fusion center,” which allow for local and state officials to share intelligence and are funded by the Department of Homeland Security.

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