Armed protesters occupy Oregon federal building: 5 things to know

A remote federal building in eastern Oregon was taken over by a group of armed protesters Saturday evening following a march protesting the prosecution of two ranchers, Dwight Hammond Jr. and Steven Hammond.

Ammon Bundy — the son of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, who was involved in a standoff with the government over grazing rights — were among a group of dozens of people who later occupied the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge 30 miles south of Burns, Oregon.

1.) Who is Ammon Bundy?
Ammon Bundy is the son of the Cliven Bundy, a Nevada cattle rancher who made news in 2014 when protests erupted surrounding a 20-year cattle grazing dispute with the federal government. Cliven Bundy told OPB  that he had nothing to do with the takeover of the building.

2.) There may be up to 100 supporters in the building

Early reports indicated that around 100 people participating in the occupation of the federal building. A later report by OPB suggest that it was a small group of men armed with pistols and long rifles.

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3.) The occupation followed a protest of two local ranchers convicted of arson

Dwight Hammond, 73, and Steven Hammond, 46, were convicted of the arsons three years ago and served time - the father three months, the son one year. But a judge ruled their terms were too short under federal law and ordered them back to prison for about four years each. Dwight Hammond has said he and his son plan to peacefully report to prison Monday as ordered by the judge. The decision has generated controversy in a remote part of the state.

4.) What do the protesters want?

"We feel that we will occupy this as long as necessary. We are using the wildlife refuge as a place for individuals across the United States to come and assist in helping the people of Harney County claim back their lands and resources. The people will need to be able to use the land and resources without fear as free men and women. We know it will take some time."

5.) Where is Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters building?

The Malheur Wildlife Refuge is in a remote eastern corner of Oregon in Harney County.  The facility is roughly 30 miles of Burns, Oregon and over 300 miles from Portland. No workers were on duty when the occupiers arrived.

The 187,000 acre marshland is considered to be extensive freshwater ecosystems in the western United States. Thousands of birds migrate through the refuge every year.

According to the website of the Harney County Sheriff's Office, the sheriff has a staff of six law enforcement officers. The county is over 10,000 square miles (larger than each of the six smallest U.S. states).

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