OREGON — Several armed American militia members broke into a federal building and they are planning to stay there indefinitely.
They are currently occupying the building in protest against the sentencing of ranchers that they believe is unjust.
The ranchers are facing prison time after federal agents accused them of setting fire to a land containing wildlife.
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The ranchers, however, claim that they set the fire as part of a common practice to drive out invasive plants that were harming the land.
The armed occupation is being joined by Ammon Bundy.
Ammon is the son of Cliven Bundy, a rancher who last year made headlines when he and his supporters had an armed standoff with the Bureau of Land Management.
Cliven Bundy claims that the government was trying to steal land that he tended to for decades.
The US government does indeed have a track record of land theft, starting as far back as the land taken from native American tribes.
But many think that the situation now is not analogous. They say that the occupiers are domestic terrorists who are greedy for land.
Supporters, on the other hand, perceive the situation as a defense against government intrusion.
The armed occupiers of the federal building are calling for nationwide support, and hoping that others will join them in what they perceive to be the start of a larger fight against government corruption.
The call has been met with mixed reactions.
Even right-wing groups have urged citizens not to participate, saying that the ranchers who have been sentenced do not wish for violence.
As for the occupiers, they plan to hold their position, even if local law enforcement and federal agencies demand that they leave.
“We’re planning on staying here for years, absolutely,” Ammon Bundy told reporters.
As many as 300 protesters have so far marched in defense of the ranchers.
Bundy said he and others have taken over the facility because “the people have been abused long enough.”
“I feel we are in a situation where if we do not do something, if we do not take a hard stand, we’ll be in a position where we’ll be no longer able to do so,” he continued.
Local law enforcement and federal agencies are now working together to respond to the situation, and the occupiers have vowed to resist if necessary.
This article will be updated as the situation on the ground unfolds.
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