Bundy: Protesters unwilling to leave occupied wildlife refuge just yet — PHOTOS
BURNS, Ore. – Ammon Bundy says he respects Harney County Sheriff David Ward.
So far, respect isn't translating into Bundy and his group of protesters and armed self-styled militiamen following Ward's request and ending their occupation at a national wildlife refuge in southeastern Oregon. Bundy, the son of Bunkerville rancher Cliven Bundy, has been occupying the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, 32 miles south of Burns, since last Saturday.
"Many of you have asked, 'How long will this go?'" Bundy told reporters on Friday. "And we say to you: not a minute too early. Until the people can stand on their own and begin to fight this fight without the fear and intimidation, without the chains that are upon them. Until they can do that, we will be here for them."
The day before, Bundy and the sheriff met at a neutral spot to talk. Ward has asked Bundy and the group to leave and go home.
On Thursday, the Sheriff's Office had tweeted that it planned to meet the next day with Bundy. But that changed after Bundy's press conference Friday.
In a statement Friday, Ward said: "During this morning's press conference, the people on the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge made it clear that they have no intention of honoring the sheriff's request to leave. Because of that, there are no planned meetings or calls at this time. However, the sheriff is keeping all options open."
The occupation and protest is tied to the fate of Oregon ranchers Dwight Hammond Jr. and son Steven Hammond. A jury convicted the Hammonds in 2012 of starting fires on public lands, burning about 140 acres. Federal prosecutors said the fires were set to cover up poaching. The Hammonds, who turned themselves in Monday to start five-year federal prison sentences, said the fires were set to protect their property from invasive plants and wildfires. The Hammonds' attorney has said the protesters don't speak for his clients.
Besides calling the sentence an injustice, Bundy and the protesters are hoping their occupation will result in transferring federal public lands into the hands of states and counties across the West.
"We are not in the least bit ashamed of the actions that we have taken," Bundy said. "We understand them to be correct. We understand them to be lawful, and we understand them to be necessary after we have exhausted all prudent measures."
For now, Bundy is sitting on an offer the sheriff made.
"He said gracefully that he would give us free passage out of the county and free passage out of the state if we would leave," Bundy said. "And I could only say this to him: We will take that offer but not yet. And we will go out of this state and out of this county as free men, and we will do that hopefully in an effort with him."
In the meantime, Bundy continues to respect the sheriff he shook hands with the day before.
"I do have respect for him," Bundy said. "I have respect for his position, and I hope that he will make the right decision and stand for the people of Harney County in defense of them."
LOOKING FORWARD
More than 100 Harney County residents gathered for a meeting on Friday night at a crowded senior center in Burns to talk about the standoff and, more importantly, how they believe the region's lands could become a stronger tool for economic growth. The meeting was organized by a fledgling group called the "Committee of Safety" that formed in December after its members met with Ammon Bundy to discuss issues tied to public lands. The group says it gets its namesake from committees formed during the colonial era to provide protection.
The group, which isn't tied to any government agency, espouses some of the same values as Bundy and believes that federal lands should be transferred to the counties for local control. Moving forward, they want to work with residents on a plan to accomplish that.
Member Melodi Molt read a letter the group is sending to Bundy that thanked him for "stirring us to action" and putting a spotlight on the Hammonds and land issues. The letter also said they approved of his message but "disapprove of your unilateral method of occupation."
"With that being said we feel that any good which may come out of this event has reached its full potential," she said. "We ask that you organize your people, explain that your point has been made and leave in a peaceful honorable fashion." Bundy didn't attend the meeting, and the group said it doesn't speak for Bundy.
Many spoke during the two-hour meeting, including those who have visited the standoff site and others who traveled from beyond Oregon's borders to the wildlife refuge after hearing word of the standoff.
While some focused on the standoff, others focused on the challenges of ranching in a changing world and increased regulations. While not everyone agrees Bundy did the right thing, they did agree he brought renewed attention on ranching issues in Harney County.
"I think the Bundys are wanting to see this before they leave," Harney County rancher Wayne Smith said.
Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904. Find him on Twitter: @BenBotkin1
