One militant is dead and the top leaders of the refuge occupation are
in police custody after law enforcement officials stopped vehicles
Tuesday afternoon about 15 miles north of Burns.
Ryan Bundy, 43, of Bunkerville, Nev., suffered a minor gunshot wound
and was taken into custody in a highway stop conducted by the FBI and
the Oregon State Police.
Also arrested were his brother, Ammon Bundy, 40, of Emmett, Idaho,
and Ryan W. Payne, 32, of Anaconda, Mont., Brian Cavalier, 44, of
Bunkerville, Nevada, and Shawna J. Cox, 59, of Kanab, Utah. They were
charged with conspiracy to impede federal officers, a felony.
Authorities did not release the identity of the person killed in the
shootout, but the daughter of Robert "LaVoy" Finicum, 55, of Arizona,
said her father was to be part of the entourage going to John Day.
Nevada Assemblywoman Michele Fiore said that Ammon Bundy called his
wife, Lisa Bundy, from the back of a police car on Tuesday night.
Who are the occupiers at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge?They're military veterans and small
business owners. Some have authored books and lost their jobs to join
the cause. Who are the armed occupants of the Malheur National Wildlife
Refuge in Burns, Oregon?
Fiore, a vocal supporter of the Bundy family, said that Ammon Bundy
told his wife that Finicum was cooperating with police and had put his
hands up. Then, Fiore said, Bundy told his wife that he watched police
shoot Finicum three times. She said that Ammon Bundy also said Finicum
was on the ground when he was shot.
Finicum on Monday said in a radio blog interview that he sensed heightened activity from federal law enforcement.
"Definitely a lot of saber rousing going on around us,'' Finicum said
on America's Freedom The Right to Bear Arms. "I do believe they're
positioning themselves. There's definitely a hardening of their
postures. They're bringing in more assets. They're doing a lot of saber
rattling. ... We're just moving forward.''
In Burns, Oregon State Police also arrested Joseph D. O'Shaughnessy,
45, Cottonwood, Arizona. He is known in militia circles as "Captain."
Several hours later, Jon Ritzheimer, 32, a key militant leader,
surrendered to police in Arizona on the conspiracy charge. He gained
national fame for complaining on a video about the delivery of sex toys
to the refuge in response to the occupiers' plea for supplies.
Police also arrested Pete Santilli, an independent broadcaster known
for his aggressive manner and live streaming refuge events. He also
faces a conspiracy charge to impede federal officers.
Kristen Grainger, a spokeswoman for Gov. Kate Brown, declined to
comment on the arrests. Earlier Tuesday, the governor told reporters she
thought "there needs to be a higher level of federal engagement around
federal management of federal land."
Brown also repeated her insistence that federal officials take steps
to end the occupation and said "it's extremely important that wrongdoers
be held accountable."
"Until we have the opportunity to be fully briefed," Grainger said, "I need to defer to the FBI's spokespeople."
No details were available about the dramatic finish to the
free-roaming ways of the militant leaders. The FBI has been in charge
of the refuge occupation, but it wasn't immediately known which police
agencies were involved in the arrest.
The militants seized the wildlife refuge on Jan. 2, insisting they
wouldn't leave until their demands were met, including the freeing of
two Harney County ranchers jailed on federal arson charges. One militant
on Tuesday afternoon posted a video of Ammon Bundy talking earlier in
the day with an FBI negotiator identified only as "Chris." The two have
been negotiating since last week, with Bundy dictating the circumstances
under which he would talk and what the group wanted.
The leaders were on U.S. 395 bound for John Day, where they were
scheduled to participate in an evening community meeting set up by local
residents. A crowd of several hundred had gathered at the John Day
Senior Center, who were subsequently told the the "guest speakers" would
not be appearing.
The highway was blocked for a 40-mile stretch between Burns and John
Day. Police were stationed near Seneca, a small city of 200 south of
John Day, with long guns. They said they didn't know how long the
roadblock would be place. Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer was there.
Palmer two weeks ago had met with Payne and Ritzheimer. He later
publicly declared that Dwight Hammond Jr. and his son, Steven, should be
freed from federal prison to help end the standoff. Palmer also has
recommended that the FBI leave the Harney County scene and turn
the matter to local police.
The
armed militants took over the vacant headquarters compound at the
refuge, about 30 miles southeast of Burns. They have been using refuge
buildings for meetings and lodging, posting armed security guards.
At the refuge Tuesday evening before officials issued a statement,
occupier Jason Patrick reported no unusual activity. The only word he
had about a possible arrest was from an independent broadcaster allied
with the militants.
"It's pretty quiet here," Patrick said. He said no one was leaving as of 6 p.m.
The occupiers have been moving without police interference between
the refuge and Burns, even attending a county-sponsored community
meeting at the Burns High School a week ago. Police estimated at least
50 militants scattered through the crowd of about 400 people.
The dramatic event came days after public officials had gone public
complaining about the apparent inaction by law enforcement. The governor
had complained directly to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and FBI
Director James Comey as well as the White House. On Monday, Harney
County Judge Steve Grasty, who chairs the county commission, also
publicly urged police to resolve the occupation.
Payne and Bundy have been in and out of Harney County since November,
aroused by the sentencing of the Hammonds. In October, they were
ordered back to federal prison to finish five-year terms for
deliberating starting fires that burned federal land in 2001 and 2006.
Bundy and his followers had demanded that Harney County Sheriff David
Ward protect the ranchers from having to surrender, a demand Ward
rejected.
Payne and other militia met local residents in an informal meeting on
New Year's Day in Burns, vowing they had peaceful intentions. The next
day, about 300 people - a mix of militia and local residents - paraded
in protest through downtown Burns, stopping at the sheriff's office and
then stopping at the home of Dwight Hammond and his wife Susan.
That afternoon, a splinter group of militants drove out to the
refuge, left vacant after federal authorities warned employees to stay
away over safety concerns. Later, Payne confirmed in interviews with The
Oregonian/OregonLive that the group had long planned to seize the
refuge.
Besides demanding freedom for the Hammonds, the Bundy group wanted
the refuge turned over to prior private owners and to the county. They
insist that the federal government has no constitutional authority to
control land in Harney County, a county that measures 10,000 square
miles. The federal government controls 76 percent. The Bundy group also
has encouraged ranchers to renounced their federal grazing permits,
showcasing a New Mexico rancher Saturday at the refuge who did just
that.
FBI Reports- UPDATE - Additional Arrest Made in the Occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge: Joint Statement by the FBI and OSP - 01/26/16 UPDATE AS OF 7:45 P.M.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. (PST), the FBI arrested Peter Santilli,
age 50, of Cincinnati, Ohio, in Burns, Oregon. He faces the same federal
felony charge as the individuals listed below. The arrest was without
incident.
**note correction to Hwy. 395
At approximately 4:25 p.m. (PST) on Tuesday, January 26, 2016, the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Oregon State Police (OSP)
began an enforcement action to bring into custody a number of
individuals associated with the armed occupation of the Malheur National
Wildlife Refuge. During that arrest, there were shots fired.
One individual who was a subject of a federal probable cause arrest
is deceased. We will not be releasing any information about that person
pending identification by the medical examiner's office.
One individual suffered non-life threatening injuries and was
transported to a local hospital for treatment. He was arrested and is
currently in custody.
The arrested individuals include:
* Ammon Edward Bundy, age 40, of Emmett, Idaho
* Ryan C. Bundy, age 43, of Bunkerville, Nevada
* Brian Cavalier, age 44, of Bunkerville, Nevada
* Shawna Cox, age 59, Kanab, Utah
* Ryan Waylen Payne, age 32, of Anaconda, Montana
These probable cause arrests occurred along Highway 395.
In a separate event in Burns, Oregon, at approximately 5:50 pm, Oregon State Police arrested the following individual:
* Joseph Donald O'Shaughnessy, age 45, Cottonwood, Arizona
All of the named defendants face a federal felony charge of
conspiracy to impede officers of the United States from discharging
their official duties through the use of force, intimidation, or
threats, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 372.
We continue to work with Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward and his
deputies; Oregon State Police; and the United States Attorney's Office
to address any further outstanding issues. As the investigation is
ongoing, we cannot comment further at this time.
UPDATE: FBI Surrounds Occupiers at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge - 02/10/16
At
approximately 4:30 pm (Pacific) on Wednesday, February 10, 2016, one
of the occupiers rode an ATV outside the barricades established by the
militia at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. FBI Agents attempted to
approach the driver, and he returned to the encampment at the refuge at
a high rate of speed.
At this time, the FBI has moved to contain the remaining occupiers
by placing agents at barricades both immediately ahead of and behind the
area where the occupiers are camping. Negotiations between the
occupiers and the FBI continue. No shots have been fired.
"It has never been the FBI's desire to engage these armed occupiers
in any way other than through dialogue, and to that end, the FBI has
negotiated with patience and restraint in an effort to resolve the
situation peacefully. However, we reached a point where it became
necessary to take action in a way that best ensured the safety of those
on the refuge, the law enforcement officers who are on scene, and the
people of Harney County who live and work in this area," said Greg
Bretzing, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon.
Wednesday marks day 40 of the occupation of the refuge.
Cliven Bundy Arrested - 02/10/16
Cliven
Bundy was taken into federal custody on the evening of Wednesday,
February 10, 2016, in Portland. Further information on the charges is
expected to be available on Thursday morning. All media inquiries should
be directed to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Las Vegas at (702)
388-6508.
UPDATE: FBI Arrests All Remaining Occupiers at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge - 02/11/16 At
approximately 9:40 am on Thursday, February 11, 2016, the FBI brought
three of the remaining Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupiers into
custody without incident. At approximately 11:00 am, agents brought the
fourth into custody without incident.
* Sean Larry Anderson, age 47, of Riggins, Idaho
* Sandra Lynn Anderson, age 48, of Riggins, Idaho
* Jeff Wayne Banta, age 46, of Yerington, Nevada
* David Lee Fry, age 27, of Blanchester, Ohio
No one was injured, and no shots were fired. Thursday marks day 41 of the occupation of the refuge.
Agents arrested the remaining four occupiers as they walked out of
the refuge to the FBI checkpoint. Those arrested will face arraignment
before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Portland on Friday, February 12, 2016.
At times, there were dozens of highly armed militants occupying,
visiting and supplying the refuge. On Wednesday, February 3, 2016, a
federal grand jury indicted 16 people:
* Dylan Wade Anderson, age 34, of Provo, Utah
* Sandra Lynn Anderson, age 48, of Riggins, Idaho
* Sean Larry Anderson, age 47, of Riggins, Idaho
* Jeff Wayne Banta, age 46, of Yerington, Nevada
* Ammon Edward Bundy, age 40, of Emmett, Idaho
* Ryan C. Bundy, age 43, of Bunkerville, Nevada
* Brian Cavalier, age 44, of Bunkerville, Nevada
* Shawna Cox, age 59, Kanab, Utah
* Duane Leo Ehmer, age 45, of Irrigon, Oregon
* David Lee Fry, age 27, of Blanchester, Ohio
* Kenneth Medenbach, age 62, of Crescent, Oregon
* Joseph Donald O'Shaughnessy, age 45, of Cottonwood, Arizona
* Jason S. Patrick, age 43, of Bonaire, Georgia
* Ryan Waylen Payne, age 32, of Anaconda, Montana
* Jon Eric Ritzheimer, age 32, Peoria, Arizona
* Peter Santilli, age 50, of Cincinnati, Ohio
Each subject faces one federal felony count of conspiracy to impede
officers of the United States from discharging their official duties
through the use of force, intimidation, or threats, in violation of
Title 18, United States Code, Section 372.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
"The occupation of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge has been a long and
traumatic episode for the citizens of Harney County and the members of
the Burns Paiute tribe. It is a time for healing, reconciliation amongst
neighbors and friends, and allowing for life to get back to normal. I
want to thank our neighbors in eastern Oregon for their patience,
resolve, and their kind and welcoming spirit to the many members of
federal, county, state, local, and tribal law enforcement who have
worked tirelessly to bring this illegal occupation to a conclusion. The
fine work of so many dedicated public servants in a difficult endeavor
cannot be understated. I am very proud of them all," said Billy J.
Williams, U.S. Attorney, District of Oregon.
"Much work is left to assess the crime scene and damage to the
refuge and tribal artifacts. We are committed to seeing the job done and
to pursue justice for the crimes committed during the illegal
occupation."
The FBI will release more information about the law enforcement work
that still remains to be done at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
later in the day.
All defendants should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Statement by FBI Special Agent in Charge Greg Bretzing on the Situation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge - 02/11/16
This
morning the FBI took into custody the four remaining occupiers at the
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge without incident and without shots
fired. Rev. Franklin Graham and Michele Fiore were at the checkpoint to
meet the occupiers as they left their encampment.
As we have said since day one, our goal has been to end this illegal
occupation peacefully, and we are grateful that we were able to do so
today. I want to make it very clear that we will continue to enforce the
law with respect to the refuge and other federal properties. Anyone who
chooses to travel to Oregon with the intent of engaging in illegal
activity will be arrested. Saying that, I want to reassure those Harney
County residents who simply visited the refuge or provided food to the
occupiers -- we are not looking into those events. We are concerned
about those who have criminal, violent intent.
While the occupation is over, there is still quite a bit of work
that needs to happen before the refuge can re-open to the public. I want
to run through some of that with you now.
Next Steps
The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge remains closed, and it will
remain closed for some number of weeks. During this time, law
enforcement will continue to man checkpoints at the edge of the refuge
to maintain the security of this crime scene.
Most immediately, FBI agents are inspecting and securing the
buildings and any other areas of concern on the refuge to ensure that no
one else is hiding. This process will take some number of hours.
Following that tactical clearing of the refuge, a team of FBI
Special Agent Bomb Technicians, detectives with the Oregon State Police
Arson/Explosives Unit, and bomb technicians from the Portland Police
Bureau and Oregon Air National Guard will methodically work their way
through the property to locate and mitigate any explosive-related
hazards. This process could take several days.
Once the refuge is cleared of any hazards, the FBI's Evidence
Response Teams (ERT) will enter to document and collect evidence related
to potential crimes committed during the occupation. In addition, FBI
forensic examiners from the Northwest Regional Computer Forensics
Laboratory will work to recover and process computers and electronic
devices. It will likely be several weeks before the evidence teams
complete their work on the refuge, and it will likely be a number of
months before the forensic examiners complete their analysis.
At the same time, the FBI is deploying experts with its Art Crime
Team to work on the refuge. These agents are specially-trained in
cultural property investigations. They will be responsible for working
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Burns Paiute Tribe to
identify and document damage to the tribe's artifacts and sacred burial
grounds.
They will start with an archeological field assessment to determine
any potential violations of the Native American Graves and Repatriation
Protection Act (NAGPRA) and the Archeological Resources Protection Act
(ARPA). This work will likely take a number of weeks to complete.
As the FBI works through each of these investigative processes, we
will consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as to how and when
we will be able to return control of the refuge to that agency.
Closing Thoughts
Over the course of the last month, the people of Harney County have
lived through an experience that is both highly emotional and physically
exhausting. We have seen the occupiers and their outside supporters try
to drive deep divisions between those who live and work here. We have
seen some residents leave their homes, fearing violence against their
families. We have seen the confusion, concern and trouble that the
occupiers' actions have caused for this community.
This series of events has been beyond difficult for Harney County
families. But, in the time I have been here, I have also seen the deep
love that you have for this place you call home... love for the people,
the land, and the way of life that makes Harney County so special. This
passion for everything good about Harney County is what will help heal
the community after this incident.
This is your community, and the FBI, along with our other law
enforcement partners from across the state, are honored that we could be
of service to you. We still have work we need to do -- and we continue
to ask for your patience as we complete these necessary last tasks. We
will do everything we can to return the refuge to its normal operations
as soon as possible.
In particular, we know that the people of the Burns Paiute Tribe
have specific concerns about the potential desecration of their
ancestral lands and artifacts dating back thousands of years. As we
complete the necessary safety checks and process the crime scene, we
will work with the tribal members to ensure that our work remains
sensitive to their historical and cultural concerns.
In closing, I want to thank Sheriff Ward for all of his hard work. I
have never met a man who cares more about the people he serves... who
cares more for the community in which he lives. No matter how you feel
about the Hammonds or the situation at the refuge or the role that we
have played here, Sheriff Ward has done exactly what he has promised to
do since this all started back in November. He has worked tirelessly to
ensure that the people he serves are safe, that they are heard, and that
they can find a path back to normalcy.
Thank you.
Media Availability on Friday, February 12 - 02/12/16 The
FBI is offering credentialed media the opportunity to take an escorted
visit close to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on Friday, February
12th. Each media outlet will be permitted a maximum of 2 people. You
will have the opportunity to move closer to the refuge (but not into the
refuge) to take photos/videos. For safety, there will be restrictions
in terms of where and how you can move through the visit. No live
streams or uplinks will be permitted during the course of the visit, and
no interviews will be given during the visit.
Meet:
The Narrows
9:15 am
FBI Update on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Feb. 12, 2016 - 02/12/16 Today, the FBI began to process the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge as a crime scene.
This morning, a team of FBI Special Agent Bomb Technicians,
detectives with the Oregon State Police Arson/Explosives Unit, and bomb
technicians from the Portland Police Bureau and Oregon Air National
Guard conducted an initial sweep of the property. A full sweep is
ongoing and will continue until the entire area is deemed safe for law
enforcement to operate.
Currently, the FBI's Evidence Response Teams (ERT) has entered areas
of the refuge and has begun to document and collect evidence related to
potential crimes committed during the occupation.
The FBI's Art Crime Team has deployed to work on the refuge. These
agents are specially-trained in cultural property investigations, and
they will be responsible for working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service and the Burns Paiute Tribe to identify and document damage to
the tribe's artifacts and sacred burial grounds.
All of this work will likely take a number of weeks to complete. As
the FBI works through each of these investigative processes, we will
consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as to how and when we
will be able to return control of the refuge to that agency.
Harney County Joint Information Center Update:
The Harney County Joint Information Center (JIC) will continue to be
staffed through Sunday, February 14, 2016. Further details will be
forthcoming regarding contact information once the JIC ceases to
operate.
Harney County Joint Information Center Now Closed - 02/14/16 The
Harney County Joint Information Center has now ceased operations. As
previously noted, law enforcement activity will continue at the Malheur
National Wildlife Refuge for some time. Future media calls can be
directed to the FBI Portland Office at (503) 460-8099 or the appropriate
law enforcement agency.
Break-
Greg Bretzing, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Portland named in investigation of multiple violations of internal FBI policies, including lax oversight of
classified documents stored inside the FBI's Salt Lake City field office; violations of policies that govern the issuance and use of FBI
credentials; the failure to enforce rules that restrict access to areas
where classified documents are kept; and concerns that high-level FBI
officials may have covered up a formal complaint of security violations.
Although Militia Groups like Pacific Patriots Network and Idaho III% were in Harney County, the Peacefull Protesters were left alone in the end.
The FBI has yet to utter LaVoy Finicum's name!
If we are going to fight this tyranny by the FBI and it's contractors, we need to read their playbook. Just insert your name or the name of your group here.
By the way, Google Blogger is preventing me from updating this blog with pictures and links, including deleting my above post of the Shawna Cox interview. They have also tried to prevent me from signing in to my own blog. Please be aware that we are no longer free to express our first amendment rights. After all, this is the only weapon used by the Citizens For Constitutional Freedom which inflamed so many that they ARE willing to commit murder.
Part 1 - https://archive.org/details/the-assassination-of-la-voy-finicum-1.-the-foam-bullet Part 2 - https://archive.org/details/the-assassination-of-la-voy-finicum-2.-the-deadly-roadblock Part 3 - https://archive.org/details/the-assassination-of-la-voy-finicum-3.-the-planted-gun Part 4 - https://archive.org/details/the-assassination-of-la-voy-finicum-4.-the-two-shots-that-the-fbi-lied-about Part 5 - https://archive.org/details/la-voy-finicum-shot-with-his-hands-in-the-air Part 6 - https://archive.org/details/la-voy-finicum-courage-in-the-line-of-fire Part 7 - https://archive.org/details/la-voy-finicum-five-minutes-of-shooting-1 Part 8 - https://archive.org/details/la-voy-finicum-the-first-shot Part 9 - https://archive.org/details/la-voy-finicum-the-first-shot-updated Part 10 - https://archive.org/details/lavoy-finicum-post-assassination-psyops Part 11 - https://archive.org/details/la-voy-finicum-pre-assassination-psyops
The American Triad of Holiday Tradition, starting with Thanksgiving, a time when we start looking at our year and give thanks for the blessings of Providence upon us and our loved ones. We gather together with family and friends to kick off the winter holiday season with Christmas close behind, ramping up to a look forward to change and great expectations for a New Year to come! Although a busy time for most, the people of Harney County Oregon had a monumental burden to bare this December. While most people met for Holiday Programs, Sub For Santa Projects and festive dinner parties along with Christmas shopping, the friends of the Hammond family and concerned citizens alike gathered together during the hustle and bustle of the season to educate themselves on the plight of their neighbors and garner support as a community in defense of the remaining property owners in the County of Harney. You see the Hammond's are the latest target of the Federal Government land-grab. Not unlike many of the other stories told and untold across our great United States where the Federal Government, through it's agencies (in this case the BLM and FWS), has usurped constitutional rights, restricted usage and employed an unconstitutional court system to do their bidding and extort property owners out of their money and property forcing most out of business and striping them of their assets and confiscating their land, putting it off limits to the average man. The state of Oregon and Harney County elected officials, being complicit in the Federal Governments schemes, the County Sheriff, supposedly sworn to uphold the Constitution in defense of the people against a tyrannical government, instead arresting and detaining Dwight and Steve Hammond at the behest of the feds. All that being said, the citizens of Harney County gathered.
Let me introduce you to the Hammond Family-Burns Oregon and give you a brief outline of the history of the land, their family and situation as they purchased land, set up shop and went to cattle ranching...
(aa)
The Harney Basin (were the Hammond ranch is established) was settled in
the 1870’s. The valley was settled by multiple ranchers and was known
to have run over 300,000 head of cattle. These ranchers developed a
state of the art irrigated system to water the meadows, and it soon
became a favorite stopping place for migrating birds on their annual
trek north.
(ab)
In 1908 President Theodor Roosevelt, in a political scheme, create an
“Indian reservation” around the Malheur, Mud & Harney Lakes and
declared it “as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds”. Later
this “Indian reservation” (without Indians) became the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
(a)
In 1964 the Hammonds purchased their ranch in the Harney Basin. The
purchase included approximately 6000 acres of private property, 4
grazing rights on public land, a small ranch house and 3 water rights.
The ranch is around 53 miles South of Burns, Oregon.
(a1)
By the 1970’s nearly all the ranches adjacent to the Blitzen Valley
were purchased by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and added to
the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge covers over 187,000
acres and stretches over 45 miles long and 37 miles wide. The expansion
of the refuge grew and surrounds the Hammond’s ranch. Being
approached many times by the FWS, the Hammonds refused to sell. Other
ranchers also choose not to sell.
(a2)
During the 1970’s the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), in conjunction
with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), took a different approach to
get the ranchers to sell. Ranchers were told that, “grazing was
detrimental to wildlife and must be reduced”. 32 out of 53 permits were
revoked and many ranchers were forced to leave. Grazing fees were raised
significantly for those who were allowed to remain. Refuge personnel
took over the irrigation system claiming it as their own.
(a3)
By 1980 a conflict was well on its way over water allocations on the
adjacent privately owned Silvies Plain. The FWS wanted to acquire the
ranch lands on the Silvies Plain to add to their already vast holdings.
Refuge personnel intentionaly diverted the water to bypassing the vast meadow-lands, directing the water into the rising Malheur Lakes. Within a
few short years the surface area of the lakes doubled. Thirty-one
ranches on the Silvies plains were flooded. Homes, corrals, barns and
graze-land were washed a way and destroyed. The ranchers that once
fought to keep the FWS from taking their land, now broke and destroyed,
begged the FWS to acquire their useless ranches. In 1989 the waters
began to recede and now the once thriving privately owned Silvies pains
are a proud part of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge claimed by the
FWS.
(a4)
By the 1990’s the Hammonds were one of the very few ranchers that still
owned private property adjacent to the refuge. Susie Hammond in an
effort to make sense of what was going on began compiling facts about the
refuge. In a hidden public record she found a study that was done by
the FWS in 1975. The study showed that the “no use” policies of the FWS
on the refuge were causing the wildlife to leave the refuge and move to
private property. The study showed that the private property adjacent to
the Malheur Wildlife Refuge produced 4 times more ducks and geese than
the refuge did. It also showed that the migrating birds were 13 times
more likely to land on private property than on the refuge. When Susie
brought this to the attention of the FWS and refuge personnel, her and
her family became the subjects of a long train of abuses and
corruptions.
(b)
In the early 1990’s the Hammonds filed on a livestock water source and
obtained a deed for the water right from the State of Oregon. When the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
found out that the Hammond's obtained new water rights near the Malhuer
Wildlife Refuge, they were agitated and became belligerent and
vindictive towards the Hammonds. The US Fish and Wildlife Service
challenged the Hammond's right to the water in an Oregon State Circuit
Court. The court found that the Hammonds legally obtained rights to the
water in accordance to State law and therefore the use of the water
belongs to the Hammond's.*
(c)
In August 1994 the BLM & FWS illegally began building a fence
around the Hammond's water source. Owning the water rights and knowing
that their cattle relied on that water source daily the Hammonds tried
to stop the building of the fence. The BLM & FWS called the Harney
County Sheriff department and had Dwight Hammond (Father) arrested
and charged with "disturbing and interfering with" federal officials or
federal contractors (two counts, each a felony). He spent one night in
the Deschutes County Jail in Bend, and a second night behind bars in
Portland before he was hauled before a federal magistrate and released
without bail. A hearing on the charges was postponed and the federal
judge never set another date.
(d)
The FWS also began restricting access to upper pieces of the Hammond’s
private property. In order to get to the upper part of the Hammond’s
ranch they had to go on a road that went through the Malhuer Wildlife
Refuge. The FWS began barricading the road and threatening the Hammonds
if they drove through it. The Hammonds removed the barricades and gates
and continued to use their right of access. The road was proven later to
be owned by the County of Harney. This further enraged the BLM &
FWS.
(e)
Shortly after the road & water disputes, the BLM & FWS
arbitrarily revoked the Hammond’s upper grazing permit without any given
cause, court proceeding or court ruling. As a traditional “fence out
state” Oregon requires no obligation on the part of an owner to keep his
or her livestock within a fence or to maintain control over the
movement of the livestock. The Hammonds intended to still use their
private property for grazing. However, they were informed that a federal
judge ruled, in a federal court, that the federal government did not
have to observe the Oregon fence out law. “Those laws are for the
people, not for them”.
(f)
The Hammonds were forced to either build and maintain miles of fences
or be restricted from the use of their private property. Cutting their
ranch in almost half, they could not afford to fence the land, so the
cattle were removed.
Dwight Hammond (Father)
(g)
The Hammonds experienced many years of financial hardship due to the
ranch being diminished. The Hammonds had to sell their ranch and home in
order to purchase another property that had enough grass to feed their
cattle. This property included two grazing rights on public land. Those
were also arbitrarily revoked later.
(h) The owner of the Hammond’s original ranch passed away from a heart attack and the Hammonds made a trade for the ranch back.
(i)
In the early fall of 2001, Steven Hammond (Son) called the fire
department, informing them that he was going to be performing a routine
prescribed burn on their ranch. Later that day he started a prescribed
fire on their private property. The fire went onto public land and
burned 127 acres of grass. The Hammonds put the fire out
themselves. There was no communication about the burn from the federal
government to the Hammonds at that time. Prescribed fires are a common
method that Native Americans and ranchers have used in the area to
increase the health & productivity of the land for many centuries.
(j)
In 2006 a massive lightning storm started multiple fires that joined
together inflaming the countryside. To prevent the fire from destroying
their winter range and possibly their home, Steven Hammond (Son) started
a backfire on their private property. The backfire was successful in
putting out the lightning fires that had covered thousands of acres
within a short period of time. The backfire saved much of the range
and vegetation needed to feed the cattle through the winter. Steven’s
mother, Susan Hammond said: “The backfire worked perfectly, it put out
the fire, saved the range and possibly our home”.
(j1)
The next day federal agents went to the Harney County Sheriff's office
and filled a police report making accusation against Dwight and Steven
Hammond for starting the backfire. A few days after the backfire a
Range-Con from the Burns District BLM office asked Steven if he would
meet him in town (Frenchglen) for coffee. Steven accepted. When leaving
he was arrested by the Harney County Sheriff Dave Glerup and BLM Ranger
Orr. Sheriff Glerup then ordered him to go to the ranch and bring back
his father. Both Dwight and Steven were booked on multiple Oregon
State charges. The Harney County District Attorney reviewed the
accusation, evidence and charges, and determined that the accusations
against Dwight & Steven Hammond did not warrant prosecution and
dropped all the charges.
Steven Hammond (Son)
(k)
In 2011, 5 years after the police report was taken, the U.S. Attorney
Office accused Dwight and Steven Hammond of completely different
charges, they accused them of being “Terrorist” under the Federal Anti-terrorism Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996. This act carries a
minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of
death. Dwight & Steven’s mug shots were all over the news the next
week posing them as “Arsonists”. Susan Hammond (Wife & Mother) said:
“I would walk down the street or go in a store, people I had known for
years would take extreme measures to avoid me”.
(l)
Shortly after the sentencing, Capital Press ran a story about the
Hammonds. A person who identified as Greg Allum posted three comments on
the article, calling the ranchers “clowns” who endangered firefighters
and other people in the area while burning valuable range-land. Greg
Allum, a retired BLM heavy equipment operator, soon called Capital Press
to complain that he had not made those comments and request that they
be taken down from the website. Capital Press removed the comments. A
search of the Internet Protocol address associated with the comments
revealed it is owned by the BLM’s office in Denver, Colorado. Allum
said, he is friends with the Hammonds and was alerted to the comments by
neighbors who knew he wouldn’t have written them. “I feel bad for them.
They lost a lot and they’re going to lose more,” Allum said of the
ranchers. “They’re not terrorists. There’s this hatred in the BLM for
them, and I don’t get it,” The retired BLM employee said. Jody Weil,
deputy state director for communications at BLM’s Oregon office,
indicated to reporters that if one of their agents falsified the
comments, they would keep it private and not inform the public.
(m)
In September 2006, Dwight & Susan Hammond’s home was raided. The
agents informed the Hammonds that they were looking for evidence that
would connect them to the fires. The Hammonds later found out that a
boot print and a tire tracks were found near one of the many fires. No
matching boots or tires were found in the Hammond's home or on their
property. Susan Hammond (Wife) later said; " I have never felt so
violated in my life. We are ranchers not criminals”. Steven Hammond
openly maintains his testimony that he started the backfire to save the
winter grass from being destroyed and that the backfire ended up working
so well it put out the fire entirely altogether.
(n)
During the trial proceedings, Federal Court Judge Michael Hogan did not
allow time for certain testimonies and evidence into the trail that
would exonerate the Hammonds. Federal prosecuting attorney, Frank
Papagni, was given full access for 6 days. He had ample time to use any
evidence or testimony that strengthened the demonization of the
Hammonds. The Hammond's attorney was only allowed 1 day. Much of the
facts about the fires, land and why the Hammonds acted the way they did
was not allowed into the proceedings and was not heard by the jury. For
example, Judge Hogan did not allow time for the jury to hear or
review certified scientific findings that the fires improved the health
and productivity of the land. Or, that the Hammonds had been subject to
vindictive behavior by multiple federal agencies for years.
(o)
Federal attorneys, Frank Papagni, hunted down a witness that was not
mentally capable to be a credible witness. Dusty Hammond (grandson and
nephew) testified that Steven told him to start a fire. He was 13 at the
time and 24 when he testified (11 years later). At 24 Dusty had been
suffering with mental problems for many years. He had estranged his
family including his mother. Judge Hogan noted that Dusty’s memories as a
13-year-old boy were not clear or credible. He allowed the prosecution
to continually use Dusty’s testimony anyway. When speaking to the
Hammonds about this testimony, they understood that Dusty was
manipulated and expressed nothing but love for their troubled grandson.
(p)
Judge Michael Hogan & Frank Papagni tampered with the jury many
times throughout the proceedings, including during the selection
process. Hogan & Papagni only allowed people on the jury who did not
understand the customs and culture of the ranchers or how the land is
used and cared for in the Diamond Valley. All of the jurors had to drive
back and forth to Pendleton everyday. Some drove more than two hours
each way. By day 8 they were exhausted and expressed desires to be home.
On the final day, Judge Hogan kept pushing them to make a verdict.
Several times during deliberation, Judge Hogan pushed them to make a
decision. Judge Hogan also would not allow the jury to hear what
punishment could be imposed upon an individual that has convicted as a
terrorist under the 1996 act. The jury, not understanding the customs
and cultures of the area, influenced by the prosecutors for 6 straight
days, very exhausted, pushed for a verdict by the judge, unaware of the
ramification of convicting someone as a terrorist, made a verdict and
went home.
(q)
June 22, 2012, Dwight and Steven were found guilty of starting both the
2001 and the 2006 fires by the jury. However, the federal courts
convicted them both as "Terrorist" under the 1996 Anti-terrorism Act.
Judge Hogan sentenced Dwight (Father) to 3 months in prison and Steven
(son) to 12 months in federal prison. They were also stipulated to pay
$400,000 to the BLM. Hogan overruling the minimum terrorist sentence,
commenting that if the full five years were required it would be a
violation of the 8th amendment (cruel and unusual punishment). The day
of the sentencing Judge Hogan retired as a federal judge. In his honor
the staff served chocolate cake in the courtroom.
(r) On January 4,, 2013,
Dwight and Steven reported to prison. They fulfilled their sentences,
(Dwight 3 months, Steven 12 months). Dwight was released in March 2013
and Steven, January 2014.
(t)
In October 2015, the 9th District Court “re sentenced” Dwight and
Steven, requiring them to return to prison for several more years.
Steven (46) has a wife and 3 children. Dwight (74) will leave Susan (74)
to be alone after 55 years of marriage. If he survives, he will be 79
when he is released.
(u)
During the court preceding the Hammonds were forced to grant the BLM
first right of refusal. If the Hammonds ever sold their ranch they would
have to sell it to the BLM.
(v)
Dwight and Steven are ordered to report to federal prison again on
January 4th, 2016 to begin their re-sentencing. Both their wives will
have to manage the ranch for several years without them. To date they
have paid $200,000 to the BLM, and the remainder $200,000 must be paid
before the end of2015. If the Hammonds cannot pay the fines
to the BLM, they will be forced to sell the ranch to the BLM or face
further prosecution.
Rhonda
specifically deals with all the BLM issues relating to the area in and
around Hammond's property including “grazing denial”. Her husband just
happens to be the person in charge of all the issues surrounding the
Hammond's ranch such as “water and access”.
b* Soon
after the water rights dispute the federal government influenced the
State of Oregon to change their water law in favor of federal agencies.
Wildlife is now considered in the State of Oregon as an accepted
beneficial use for government agencies only.
k*
Being convicted as Terrorist made the Hammonds felons. They have been
striped of their right to have guns. The Hammond live 53 miles from the
closets town and have no practical way of defending themselves or their
cattle. Several times they have watched baby calves be eaten by
predators and could do nothing to prevent it.
Armed with this knowledge, enter the Town Hall Meeting held December 12, 2015 from 4 - 7 in Burns Oregon where approximately 150 people turned out in the middle of a very busy holiday season, copies of the Constitution were handed out, and after a brief history of the Hammond family situation Ammon Bundy took to the podium to give a short synopsis of his family's dealings with the federal government at the Bundy Ranch in Bunkerville Nevada. What then happens is very un-ordinary, a crash coarse in our founding documents and U.S. Citizens God-given rights! The attendees were attentive, courteous and had the spirit of cooperation as they came up with a plan to put the Constitution to work for them and the members of the Hammond family, not to mention those wronged by federal over-reach in decades gone by.
Talking Heads!
It all started after Ammon Bundy was sent a link to information about the Hammond family's plight. It was a sleepless night for Bundy as he did his research and was prompted to follow the path he is now pursuing. Bundy is catching flack from the mainstream media and alternative media too for his actions, along with the Harney County community, but when Glenn Beck concocts a plan claiming the same inspiration millions congregate and follow his lead, making his plan a reality! The alternative media, heaping their own criticism on Bundy and accusing him of trying to create another "Bundy Ranch". Both refusing to do the homework and taking the easy way out demonizing both Bundy and the Hammonds, perhaps being disappointed that it's not a scene from "Shootout At the OK Coral." No matter! It's the principal, and that's what the People of the County are focused on. And, Bundy is not foreign to the Hammond's fears and intentions. He visited with the family many times over many weeks before the Town Hall Meeting. He said, "[he] knew there would be a point the Hammonds would seize meeting with me, that was made known to me as the inspiration for my plan of action was revealed." It did so happen that the Hammond's were resigned to their intent to surrender themselves to the "double jeopardy" sentence forced on them by the government.
As the town hall meeting progressed questions were asked and answers given. One man asked, "how is it that we have come to this point, [in essence] not being educated about our Constitutional rights?" Bundy was humble in his answer, but the truth is, it's been by design! This is what the "dumbing-down" of American's was planned to do so the Marxist Plan to dissolve all private property rights could be accomplished! But, it's amazing that "true principles understood changes attitudes better than a study of behavior changes behavior." The group was presented with the steps to put into motion a plan for the residents of Harney County Oregon to protect their neighbor and friend's who would willingly surrender to federal authorities in just a few short weeks, demand the Hammonds release and redress for the injustices done them for decades by the federal government and it's agencies for ALL landowners past and present! Despite being offered a intermission due to the already long meeting, the group immediately started the nomination process and therefore, the Harney County Committee of Safety was formed. All further action would be under the direction of this committee, they would inform the community and take action including, "to call up able-body men and women to stand in defense of unalienable rights", among others. So blame Bundy all you want, HCCS is running the show with the support of surrounding counties and Western States property owners including the Bundy's. So, as the mainstream and alternative media continue to criticize the proceedings and actions of the HCCS/CFCF demonizing them in the process for utilizing a Hotel/Motel for operations, such as internet and office machines to produce and publicize their demands and writing articles for the local papers and community, which continue to be denied publishing after the first article was accepted by a local paper, telephone and internet interviews with news outlets and meeting with committees and public officials, post mugshots of the Hammonds like wanted criminals, and according to the media and locals, are supposed to be vandalizing property, stirring up outside militia groups to a frenzy and pointing their guns at anyone in sight! It's amazing how exciting using the Constitution as a guide to overthrow a tyrannical government Isn't! The media will continue to distract from the facts in an effort to be the most popular, get the most hits as THEY lull the sheeple back to sleep. Constitutionalists will continue to do the hard work!
It may be interesting to Utahan's that a woman stood during the town hall meeting touting Utah's bringing [their] case of "Public Lands" to the courts siting the State Board of Education's "claim" that the feds could make more money if they'd give us our land back. Bundy validated what is happening in Utah but, later for the record, disagreed with the avenue the American Lands Council was taking in general AND in the Utah situation. He then taught, through his teaching the U.S. Constitution, how nullification WORKS! When those in attendance saw how using the Constitution to nullify the federal land grab is supposed to work, they needed no more convincing, but this would show the illegitimacy of the American Lands Council and bleed their "cash cow" to death and strip them of the power they are wielding against the counties across the Western States as they "bait and switch" their plan to free the lands of the West, it is actually "sealing the deal" for the Wild-lands Project of Agenda 21's Sustainable Development.
Watch the Town Hall Meeting in its entirety.
A wise man once said, "I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves" ,while doing much of the same thing that the community of Harney Co. is embarking upon. It is also said as to preserving and perpetuating inspired documents, "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." Moses and Enoch were both known to have said, "I am slow of speech" when asked to be a leader among the people, sometimes using a spokesman sometimes not, but doing as they were inspired of Jehovah. Some of you may relate to these principles, and despite [our] weakness, take a stand on principle risking being ridiculed by others. I also believe that "God qualifies those he calls" and he will help us stand and put words in our mouths and thoughts in our minds. If we act, His will is made manifest in us. I state all of this because the "talking heads" and the U.S. Elites will never make any sense of the actions the good freedom loving people of America are taking to secure God's blessings upon them and their posterity. You never see these talking heads in the media stream upholding the Founding Fathers and the inspired documents they penned! You don't see them referencing God unless it is to demonize the good people of the Americas, but we aren't concerned about what "they" think, we are concerned about what God thinks. Sermon...Finished!
Actions taken by Americans to help the Hammond's in their case to defend themselves and their property.
Redress Of Grievance sent to County Commissioners, Sheriff, State Legislature and Governor including Attorney General and County Attorney and others. This letter of grievance was signed by over 100,000 Americans including Alaska and Hawaii and an overwhelming number of Oregonians by December 15, 2015, acquiring additional signatures once every 3 minutes (the total up to January 26, 2016 is not known, but if you do the math it was well above that number). The recipients had 5 days to respond, there was not one response.
- Notice of Demand
- Farm Bureau collected 8000 signatures for the Redress Of Grievance for the Hammonds.
- The Sheriff received over 3000 emails from across the United States.
- Oregon Legislature received thousands of emails.
All petitions from The People were not responded to.
You can listen to Ammon explain to Harney County residents all of this in the video posted above.
Let's get to the threats the government has made to the Hammonds. The unconstitutional "gag order" the threat to put the Hammand men in a more harsh environment of incarceration, the promise to call the note due of the money the BLM imposed for fees and damages among others. They convicted the Hammonds and deemed them "terrorists." Let's just get the facts straight. The tactics the government is using, specifically in relation to the Hammonds, but also in regards to others, are like unto the Mafia/Gangsters in the U.S. and Terrorists throughout the world. It suits them well because our current government leadership consists of those tutored by real domestic terrorists like Bill Ayers and former Attorney General Eric Holder! And, they are praised for their actions. The only thing that is missing is the viral video of the Hammond men sitting on the hard floor cross-legged confessing and listing the demands of the hostage takers! Don't forget the First Amendment says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,
or of the press; or the
right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
petition the Government for a redress of grievances" and you're prohibiting the Hammonds to speak to individuals or the press, violates the protected right to do so! In this backwards society let's make it clear who the terrorist are here! Despite Sadie Renee Johnson, 23, confessed to starting a 51,000-acre wildfire in Oregon. Her justification for igniting the blaze? She wanted to help out her “bored firefighter friends.” No domestic terrorism charge, she was sentenced to 18 months and some community service! I do find it interesting that the news media, despite the Hammond gag order, SOMEHOW gets the word out that, "the Hammond Family does not want the help of the people" and they dredge up towns people who say, "we are scared of these citizen groups and want them to go away." How convenient! Once again, the media controls the narrative, but actions speak louder than words, and the Harney County Community of Safety will bear the fruit.
Citizens For Constitutional Freedom Press Conference
Many people are asking the question why Ammon Bundy and Property Owners/Ranchers from surrounding states are taking a stand in this fight, I'll state it simply again as I've done in other blog posts...
"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."
Conclusion
To quote Ammon Bundy ~
"The
abuses and corruptions affecting people like the Hammonds are symptoms
of a more encompassing problem. Government employees (full-time &
elected) have changed their culture from one of service to, and respect
for the people, to the roll of being masters. On the subject of the
land, it is evident that government employees are no longer assisting
the people in claiming, using and defending property. Instead, they have
become the people’s competitor to the benefits of the land, and are
willing to use force on those who they erroneously compete against.
The
federal government adversely controls over 582,000,000 acres of the
western lands, 51% of the entire western land mass. They also have
recently begun claiming over 72% of western resources such as the
sub-surface minerals, forestry and waters. This is in comparison to
4.29% federally controlled land in the east.
The
impact of the federal government controlling the land and resources
inside the western states is hard to calculate. The negative impact on
the people can be seen economically, politically, and socially. In order
for any people to survive, let alone prosper, it takes the land and
resources to do it. Everything we eat, the clothing we wear, the homes
we live in, the cars we drive, and so on, come from the earth. All
physical comfort and prosperity originates from the earth. Individuals
composing the federal government, understanding the origination of
wealth, are reserving these resources for themselves and are willing to
use force to retain them. The ramifications of their action are slowly
forcing the people of the west into poverty.
Due
to the fact that people cannot survive without land and resource, the
federal government’s action in administering the lands for their own
benefit will be the cause of public discontent and unrest until it is
corrected.
The
solution is very simple, the land and resources must be made available
to its rightful owners, the people. This can be done peacefully if the
states & counties would check and balance the federal government as
designed. When this happens, the people will begin to prosper and much
of the economical, political and social problem of the west will
diminish. Prosperity, peace and tranquility will be the results."
BLM Shown Setting Fires That Destroyed Cattle
Duly noted, this blog is not for the "immediate gratification" crowd, or the "I'm not willing to read anything longer than 144 characters" generation. In viewing the press conferences it is very clear that the media is incapable and unwilling to do their research. It is safe to say that, even among some alternative media sources, investigative reporting is dead! In the case of the Harney County Sheriff, the local elected Sheriff is the individual's last line of defense against an un-lawful government. He should have stood between the government and its agencies and the Hammond family among others, not turning them over to the feds to answer their edicts! Constitutional Sheriffs are indispensable, and we need them in every county across the United States. Now that you have access to the facts, spread the information to your friends and neighbors so we can show our support, for freedom-loving people everywhere across this great nation.
The "Powers That Be" are being successful at scrubbing the internet of historical proof of government abuse! The post above is one example. I will do my best to update this, and other posts, with the information as I track it down. This is why I don't like posting links to other peoples media, I like to have my own copy.
I could post lots of updates, but just access my twitter feed (top right) to find links to video etc. I try to keep my sources as close to the ground as possible, no mainstream media. And, as always, visit the Bundy Blog.
July 10, 2018 10:56 a.m. Utah time. Morgan Philpot Attorney issued an announcement on behalf of the Hammond Family.
"I have been authorized by the Hammond Family to issue the following
release. It is my honor to represent Susie and Dwight and their family,
as it has been to represent other ranching families in similarly
troubling circumstances. Much remains to be done to help the Hammonds
and to curtail plain abuses by federal agencies - particularly in the
area of western land and basic constitutional principles of free
government".
Pilpot also included this statement from the Hammond Family:
Here is the statement form President Trump on the Clemency for Dwight and Steven.
Thanks to everyone who signed the petitions, wrote letters, made phone calls and made their voices heard on social media to bend the ear of President Trump, since Jeff Sessions turned a deaf ear, that secured the Presidential Pardon of Dwight and Steven Hammond. We look forward to seeing them return home and to the ranching they have built their lives on and love so much. Susie, you have been stalwart throughout this whole ordeal. You have our love and admiration. . . Happy Trails!
If you care to see what the mainstream media is saying about this Act Of Executive Clemency hear what the "two-faced" Rep. Greg Walden Oregon, and militant Environmentalist Kieran Suckling said in The Hill. Hear the disappointment expressed by Amanda Marshall in defense of the Obama Administration Prosecution of the Hammonds in The Oregonian which ends the article by parroting the myopic views of it's reporting in the case, not wanting the reader to forget that, "these people are criminals".
