US: Militiamen Occupy Oregon Wildlife Refuge in Protest of Ranchers’ Prison Terms

#oregonunderattack

- A group of activists and militiamen protesting the federal prosecution of two ranchers occupied a remote federal building in the rural southeastern corner of Oregon, the authorities said.

The building seized by the group houses the offices of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and is operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, about 30 miles southeast of Burns, in Harney County.

The occupation began after a demonstration in support of Dwight Hammond, 73, and his son Steven Hammond, 46, who were to report to California prison after a federal judge ruled that the sentences they had served for arson were not long enough under federal law.

Among the occupiers were Ammon and Ryan Bundy, two sons of Cliven Bundy, a Nevada rancher who became a symbol of anti-government sentiment in 2014, according to The Oregonian.

A lawyer for the Hammonds said, however, they did not welcome the Bundys’ help, according to The Associated Press

Related: FBI seeks peaceful end to occupation at Oregon wildlife refuge (Reuters)