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PETA delivers big surprise to armed protesters in Oregon

By Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Jan 7, 2016

The armed group who has taken over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and refuses to leave until the federal government meets its demands put out a public plea for snacks.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals responded to the group’s request.

PETA members hand-delivered vegan jerky to the small group of protesters, who appeared surprised by the offering but were photographed opening the packages.

The protein-rich vegan jerky is made from soy, seitan and shiitake mushrooms.

PETA spokesperson Lindsay Rajt said one protester tried the hickory smoked primal strip. “He said it tasted like salmon and he loved it.”

PETA members also took time to protest, holding up a sign that read, “The end of animal-based Ag is Nigh: Get Out Now!”

Act like a jerk, get #vegan jerky.  See how the Oregon cattle ranchers reacted to #PETA's package.

Posted by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) on Wednesday, January 6, 2016

PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said on the organization’s blog: “These ranchers may have a beef with the feds, but their water use and the cattle’s production of methane mean that the world needs them to get out of the beef business.”

The armed group of protesters, who call themselves the Citizens for Constitutional Freedom, began its occupation in support of two ranchers, Dwight and Steven Hammond, whom a judge has ordered back to prison after ruling that the sentence the pair served for setting fires on their land that spread to the Malheur refuge was not long enough under federal law.

>>Read more: Armed protesters occupy Oregon federal building: 5 things to know

The group now is protesting the federal management of public lands, which it believes would be better handled under local control.

The Burns Paiute tribe claims that its sacred site is being desecrated by the protesters.

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