Occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This USGS satellite image of the MNWR central complex shows 1) fire lookout, used as a watchtower by the armed militia, 2) MNWR offices, used as headquarters, 3) residential buildings, used as quarters and canteen.

The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon (USA) was occupied by a militia on January 2, 2016. Ammon Bundy's group later called themselves Citizens for Constitutional Freedom and occupied the conservation center to protest the imprisonment of two ranchers. The militia fights against the unlawfully rejected democratic government of the USA and its federal system. She is part of the right-wing " Patriot Movement " in the USA. On January 28, 2016, the group's leadership circle outside the refuge was arrested by the FBI and Oregon State Police . One of the occupiers, LaVoy Finicum , was shot dead. On February 11, 2016, the occupation was abandoned by the last four remaining.

background

The campaign leader, Ammon Bundy, is the son of a rancher Cliven Bundy from Nevada . Father Cliven refused to pay more than $ 1 million in leases on federally owned land grazed by his cattle. Since then, there have been repeated confrontations between family supporters and state authorities. The Bundy family received media support from supporters of the tea party movement . But when the father expressed himself racist, the conservative public turned away.

occupation

Malheur Reserve Center in Oregon

Activists of the Patriot Movement armed with semi-automatic weapons occupied the state information center of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon on January 3, 2016 . At this point the station was unmanned. According to a spokesman, around 100 people were involved in the action, but the sheriff spoke of only around 25 occupiers. Their leader, Ammon Bundy, described the occupation as an "act of solidarity" with two ranchers convicted of slash and burn and poaching. Father and son Hammond have been charged with setting a fire on United States federal land to cover up traces of poaching . The father had already been in prison for three months and his son for a year. A judge ordered another four years' imprisonment at a time due to the mandatory minimum sentence under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 . Against the decision demonstrated in the city Burns ( Harney County about 300 people). The occupation developed from this. Both convicts started their sentences in a California federal prison on time. The Hammonds refused to allow Bundy to occupy the station.

Ammon Bundy

The activists protested against the US government. They wanted to stay as long as "needed - days, weeks, or even longer," the group's leader, Ammon Bundy, told CNN.

Bundy did not mention the name of his group “Citizens for Constitutional Freedom” until one day after the occupation on January 4, 2016.

On January 8, 2016, Harney County's Sheriff David Ward organized a meeting with Ammon Bundy and his supporters in a remote, neutral location. Ward told Bundy that he wanted a peaceful end to the action. He offered the occupiers a free exit. However, Bundy declined, saying the group planned to stay. After the meeting, the sheriff's office announced they wanted to arrange another meeting with the group.

The Oregon State Police arrested one of the squatters, Kenneth Medenbach, in Burns on January 15, 2016 and confiscated two US Fish and Wildlife Service vehicles that he had stolen from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The USFWS welcomed the police action and pointed out that the vehicles had been bought with taxpayers' money.

Sheriff David Ward said in a statement: “In reality, these men have different motives. They want to overthrow the county and federal government to unleash a movement across the United States. " [Quote: " In reality these men had alternative motives, to attempt to overthrow the county and federal government in hopes to spark a movement across the United States, “Ward said in a statement earlier this week. ]

Oregon Governor Kate Brown said Jan. 14, 2016 that she could count on federal intervention in dealing with Ammon Bundy and his people. The cast would cost $ 100,000 a week.

Only three of the four remaining occupiers were allowed to leave after the arrest of the leaders on January 26th, as the fourth was wanted on a warrant for drug possession. Then all four decided to continue the occupation. The FBI cut telecommunication facilities on January 31st, except for one cell phone frequency that leads to the FBI itself. On February 5th, in the fifth week of the occupation, the occupiers refused to withdraw and stated that they were ready to die and would oppose the evacuation of the site by force. David Fry, who had risen to become the leader of the four, was able to reactivate connections to the outside world on February 7th and posted several videos on YouTube.

On February 11th, the last four occupiers gave up. Sean Anderson, Sandy Anderson, Jeff Banta, and David Fry were arrested by the FBI. On February 12, 2016, the FBI began securing the crime scene and confirmed the damage to the floor with delicate prehistoric artifacts from the construction of an improvised road.

Squatters

The information site "High Country News" presented the main actors of the cast in an article and placed them in the larger context of the Patriot Movement. In addition to the initiator Ammon Bundy, his older brother Ryan Bundy also stayed at the Malheur Station. He is the eldest son of the 14 children of the farmer Cliven Bundy. Both brothers were involved in their father's dispute over land use rights with the state Bureau of Land Management . At the press conference, LaVoy Finicum, an Arizona rancher who is also in conflict with the BLM, appeared. Ryan Payne, founder of the Montana's West Mountain Rangers militia, urged other militia members to join the Bundy Ranch conflict in 2014. The Iraq war veteran is rated by the "High Country News" as one of the most radical occupiers.

Various members of the militia movement were also in Burns, including the Oath Keepers , the Idaho Three Percenters and the "Pacific Patriots Network". The Three Percenters moved into the refuge with a convoy of around 20 men with semi-automatic weapons in order to ensure the safety of the occupiers and citizens. Bundy's group thanked them for their support, but asked them to leave and thus contribute to the de-escalation.

Protest against the occupation

Around 100 people in Burns and other cities in Oregon protested against the occupation of the Wildlife Refugee by the group around Amon Bundy and for the right to public land. Several conservation activists protested against their action at the Bundy Group's daily press conference. They said the land was already owned by the Oregon people and should not be privately owned. In addition, members and leadership of the Burns Paiute, who belong to the Paiute , protested against the occupation and the robbery of 4,000 archaeological artefacts and the destruction of sites up to 6,000 years old, previously protected in cooperation with the MNWR. The Burns Paiute were evicted from their former winter quarters in the 1870s, but still consider it part of their territory.

arrest

Video still of LaVoy Finicum captured at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in January 2016

On the 23rd day of the occupation of the refuge, January 26, 2016, the Oregon State Police , the Harny County Sheriff and the FBI intervened in a joint action and arrested part of the occupiers in Burns. A group of six squatters, including Ammon and Ryan Bundy, made their way to the weekly community meeting in Burns on the evening of January 27th. The group was stopped at a road block on Highway 395 between John Day and Burns. LaVoy Finicum was stopped at another roadblock. As he got out of his car and reached into his pocket, he was shot dead by a state trooper . The FBI reported that Finicum had a 9mm semi-automatic weapon in his jacket pocket. Eight of the squatters were arrested and brought before the judge. They are accused, among other things, of conspiracy.

The FBI set up checkpoints at all entrances to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge as there were up to five armed occupiers on the premises. All vehicles entering and leaving were checked and the drivers' personal details were determined. While leaving the station, Jason Patrick, Duane Ehmer and Dylan "Captain Moroni" Anderson were arrested at a roadblock.

Protests in Burns

After most of the occupiers were arrested, protests broke out in Burns in early February. The "Pacific Patriots Network", a militia that supports parts of the occupation demands, called for a demonstration. Following the shooting of LaVoy Finicum, the network called for the resignation of Harney County Judge Steve Grasty and Sheriff David Ward. Burns citizens protested the activists and asked them to go home.

Damage

Examples of the damage caused

The occupiers broke into safes and stole cash, cameras and computers. They also had badly damaged archeological artifacts. During the occupation a road was built with excavators found and a parking lot was expanded. A trench was also dug, a fence was damaged and surveillance cameras removed. The occupiers destroyed the sewer system and then defecated “everywhere” inside and outside the building. According to an initial estimate, The Oregonian put the cost at least $ 3.3 million, mostly for police, school closings and supplies. A later estimate put the cost at about $ 9 million, which also included the expenses for employees and workplaces of the refuge and administrative costs for government agencies.

process

On February 3, 2016, an indictment against 15 squatters was presented. They were charged with the seldom used criminal offense of conspiring to injure or hinder federal officials. The law provides for a fine or prison sentence of up to six years if found guilty. The charges were extended to 25 people in February.

In total, 27 people who were involved in the occupation were ultimately indicted under federal law. Of these, 26 were charged with conspiracy to use force, intimidation or threats to prevent US officials from performing their official duties.

aftermath

In July 2018, ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond, whose arrest sparked the occupation, were pardoned by President Donald Trump .

In December 2019, an investigation by the Washington House of Representatives came to the conclusion that MP Matt Shea had participated in the occupation and that it was an act of terrorism. He was expelled from the Republican faction and lost committee seats. However, he refused to resign.

Web links

Commons : Occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Art Roderick (CNN) on Spero News / MARTIN BARILLA: CNN analyst says federal response to Occupy Malheur is appropriate - 2016-01
  2. ↑ http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/three-of-cliven-bundys-sons-militia-seize-federal-building/article/2579459
  3. ↑ http://www.cbsnews.com/news/oregon-ranchers-reject-cliven-bundy-family-occupation/
  4. ↑ Protest against US government: Armed ranchers occupy a national park in Oregon. In: Spiegel Online. January 3, 2016, accessed February 12, 2016 .
  5. ↑ a b Jonathan Allen, Jim Urquhart: Oregon occupation leader rejects sheriff's bid to end standoff. In: Reuters. January 8, 2016, accessed February 12, 2016 .
  6. ↑ NBC News, viewed January 18, 2016 [1]
  7. ↑ OPB, viewed Jan 21, 2016 [2]
  8. ↑ Kimberley Freda, Bryan M. Vance: FBI Blocking Most Lines Of Communication, Militants Say. In: Oregon Public Broadcasting. January 31, 2016, accessed February 12, 2016 .
  9. ↑ "BJ Soper, a founding member of the Pacific Patriots Network, [...] learned that the occupiers said they were resigned to die and that attempts to remove them would be met by force." Fedor Zarkhin: Militia group backs down, billboards go up in support of law enforcement as the fifth week of Oregon standoff comes to an end. In: The Oregonian / Oregon Live. February 5, 2016, accessed February 6, 2016 .
  10. ↑ Jennifer Dowling and KOIN 6 News Team: Malheur occupier says they have booby traps near camp. In: koin.com. February 9, 2016, accessed February 9, 2016 .
  11. ↑ Four Remaining Oregon Occupiers Surrounded by FBI, Surrender . In: NBC News , NBC, February 11, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016. 
  12. ↑ Maxine Bernstein: Firearms, explosives and trench of human feces found at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, feds say. In: oregonlive.com. The Oregonian / Oregon Live, February 16, 2016, accessed February 19, 2016 .
  13. ^ High Country News: Who's who inside and on the outskirts of the Malheur occupation , accessed January 13, 2016.
  14. ↑ KOIN 6: Idaho Three Percenters show up at Malheur Refuge on YouTube , accessed January 22, 2016
  15. ↑ OPB: Occupiers Shout Down Environmental Protesters At Malheur Refuge, accessed January 18, 2016 [3]
  16. ↑ Sara Sidner: Native tribe blasts Oregon takeover. In: CNN. January 7, 2016, accessed January 22, 2016 .
  17. ^ Oregon Militia Nuts Hold Paiute History, Artifacts Hostage. In: indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com. January 19, 2016, accessed January 22, 2016 .
  18. ↑ Ian K. Kullgren: Burns Paiute Tribe: Militants need to get 'off our land'. In: The Oregonian / Oregon Live. January 6, 2016, accessed January 22, 2016 .
  19. ↑ OPB, http://www.opb.org/news/series/burns-oregon-standoff-bundy-militia-news-updates/bundys-arrested-fbi-oregon/ accessed on Jan. 29, 2016
  20. ^ John Rosman: FBI: Standoff Continues, Release Video Of Finicum Death. In: opb.org. January 28, 2016, accessed January 29, 2016 .
  21. ↑ Sara Sidner and Mariano Castillo: Oregon standoff: FBI releases video of shooting death. In: CNN. January 28, 2016, accessed January 29, 2016 .
  22. ↑ Kimberley Freda and David Stuckey: Government Outlines Case Against 3 More Militants In Federal Court. In: cnn.com. January 28, 2016, accessed July 29, 2016 .
  23. ↑ Amelia Templeton and Amanda Peacher: Emotional Protesters Face Off In Burns. In: opb.org. February 1, 2016, accessed February 5, 2016 .
  24. ↑ a b Andrew Dymburt: First look: How the occupiers left Malheur Refuge , KOIN. March 23, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2016. 
  25. ↑ Jes Burns: Northwest Volunteers Want To Help Restore Malheur Refuge , Oregon Public Broadcasting. February 4, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2016. 
  26. ^ Luke Hammill: $ 3.3 million and counting: The cost of the Malheur occupation . In: The Oregonian / OregonLive.com , Advance Publications, February 23, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016. 
  27. ^ Sam Levin: New photos of Oregon wildlife refuge reveal damage done by Bundy standoff . In: The Guardian , Guardian News and Media Limited, March 24, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016. 
  28. ↑ Conspiracy to Impede Officers of the United States 18 USC § 372 Bill Morlin: Oregon grand jury indicts Ammon Bundy, 15 Others for Interfering with Federal Workers at Wildlife Refuge. In: Southern Poverty Law Center. February 4, 2016, accessed February 6, 2016 .
  29. ↑ Legal Information Institute: 18 US Code § 372 - Conspiracy to impede or injure officer. In: Cornell University Law School. Retrieved February 6, 2016 .
  30. ↑ Maxine Bernstein: Firearms, explosives and trench of human feces found at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, feds say. In: oregonlive.com. The Oregonian / Oregon Live, February 16, 2016, accessed February 19, 2016 .
  31. ^ Maxine Bernstein: New six-count indictment unsealed in Malheur refuge occupation case . In: The Oregonian / OregonLive.com , Advance Publications, March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2016. 
  32. ↑ Trump Pardons Ranchers Dwight And Steven Hammond Over 2012 Arson Conviction , NPR, July 10, 2018.
  33. ↑ Washington state lawmaker accused of "domestic terrorism" refuses to resign , CBS News, December 20, 2019.

Coordinates: 43 ° 15 '50.6 "  N , 118 ° 50' 52.9"  W.