After the last four occupiers left the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on Thursday, the Harney County Court said it was “grateful” that the standoff was over, but warned against any continued presence of militia groups in the community.
“Law enforcement will now be able to begin the process of clearing booby traps and processing the crime scene. Let’s be clear, armed occupation of federal property is a crime, it is not a peaceful protest, and the illegal taking of federal property is a matter rightly dealt with by the FBI,” the statement reads.
The Harney County Court emphasized that the occupation was illegal and that any militia presence in the area would prevent officials from addressing concerns over federal lands.
“There are underlying issues that still need to be addressed. Management of federal lands is one we have been working on for years, and we will continue this work. Harney County has made some positive steps forward through collaborative processes, but there is a long way to go,” the statement reads. “In the meantime, the occupation and continued presence of militia groups in Harney County continues to cause division in the county and every community within. Calls for thousands of people to descend on Burns are very troubling. Continued militia presence in Harney County will only serve to delay any meaningful work on the issues that need to be addressed.”
Read the full statement:
The Occupation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is over. Law enforcement will now be able to begin the process of clearing booby traps and processing the crime scene. Let’s be clear, armed occupation of federal property is a crime, it is not a peaceful protest, and the illegal taking of federal property is a matter rightly dealt with by the FBI.
There are underlying issues that still need to be addressed. Management of federal lands is one we have been working on for years, and we will continue this work. Harney County has made some positive steps forward through collaborative processes, but there is a long way to go. In addition, the re-sentencing of Dwight and Steve Hammond should be dealt with in a legal manner and we will support those efforts.
In the meantime, the occupation and continued presence of militia groups in Harney County continues to cause division in the county and every community within. Calls for thousands of people to descend on Burns are very troubling. Continued militia presence in Harney County will only serve to delay any meaningful work on the issues that need to be addressed.
We are very grateful that the occupation ended peacefully and we look forward to the day when our community is ours, once again.
“”“We are very grateful that the occupation ended peacefully and we look forward to the day when our community is ours, once again”""
That’s the part the Bundy boys just don’t get.
And stay out!
Eastern OR really just can’t catch a break. Remember the whole Rajneesh cult thing? The local people got tarred as intolerant bigots before the lid blew off of that. They sure didn’t ask for their lives and communities to be upended by nutcases, then as now.
I believe the sentiments of the residents of Harney County could be extended to the rest of Oregon, if not the entire country.
IOW: FO&D, A-holes.
Or the salmonella-tainted salad bar in Biggs.