Large Group Of Armed Militia Members Take Over Federal Building

BY JUDD LEGUM
Think Progress

CREDIT: CACOPHONY

The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters, which was seized by a group of militia on Saturday, January 2, 2016

A large group of armed militia members have broken into and occupied a federal building in Oregon. The group reportedly includes three sons of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, who had a tense standoff with federal officials in 2014.

Splinter group of militia have occupied the headquarters building at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Group includes Ammon Bundy.

— Les Zaitz (@LesZaitz) January 3, 2016

http://twitter.com/JohnLGC/status/683452119148437504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Radical militia members from across the country descended on Harney County, Oregon today toprotest the conviction of two local ranchers for arson on federal land. They claim “that the federal government had no authority in Harney County.” The militia occupying the headquarters building at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is a splinter group from the larger protest. The gambit seems intended “to provoke a standoff with the federal government.”

http://twitter.com/LesZaitz/status/683365473757474816/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

In a phone interview with the Oregonian, Ammond Bundy said that “would not rule out violence if law enforcement tries to remove them.” He called the headquarters building “the tool to do all the tyranny that has been placed upon the Hammonds” and said he was “planning on staying…for years.” In a message on Facebook Bundy said he planned on establishing the facility as a base for militia members across the country:

http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsarah.d.sandell%2Fvideos%2F1112061878804653%2F&display=popup&ref=plugin&src=video

Cliven Bundy is also advising the local ranchers, Steven and Dwight Hammond, not to submit to federal authorities as required on Monday. Instead, Bundy is urging them to go to the Harney County jail and ask for “protective custody.”

Meanwhile, Cliven’s son Ammon is reportedly rallying other militia members to join the occupation.

Ammon Bundy said in Facebook video they have taken over refuge to use as militia base for years. Called patriots from U.S. to come.

— Les Zaitz (@LesZaitz) January 3, 2016

In an ominous sign, one member of the group, Jon Ritzheimer, posted a goodbye video to his family on YouTube today. “I want to die a free man,” Ritzheimer says.