.
![Ryan Bundy, one of the sons of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, speaks with a reporter at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016, near Burns, Ore. With the takeover entering its fourth day Wednesday, authorities had not removed the group of roughly 20 people from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon's high desert country.]()
![APTOPIX Ranching Standoff Protest]()
![]()
The federal government owns 47 percent of all land in the West: photo by Jarod Opperman for The New York Times, 6 January 2016
![Ranching Standoff Oregon Ammon Bundy]()
![Embedded image permalink]()
Props to the kid reporter interviewing Ryan Bundy for his school newspaper #Oregonstandoff: image via Ian Kullgren Verified account @IanKullgren, 7 January 2016
![Embedded image permalink]()
This guy is now at #Oregonstandoff #MalheurWildlifeRefuge: image via Sam Levin @SamTLevin, 10 January 2016
![Embedded image permalink]()
![Embedded image permalink]()
![]()
A man stands guard after members of several organizations arrived at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon on Saturday: photo by The Oregonian, 9 January 2016
![]()
A man stands guard after members of several organizations arrived at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon on Saturday: photo by Rick Bowmer/AP, 9 January 2016
![Embedded image permalink]()
![Embedded image permalink]()
PETA has two deliveries in #Oregon: Chili for #Oregonstandoffwitnesses & this firm message for the ranchers: image via PETA Verified account @peta, 7 January 2016
![Embedded image permalink]()
Not lacking in supplies at #Oregonstandoffone week in: image via Sam Levin @SamTLevin, 10 January 2016
![Embedded image permalink]()
Not lacking in supplies at #Oregonstandoffone week in: image via Sam Levin @SamTLevin, 10 January 2016
![Embedded image permalink]()
Not lacking in supplies at #Oregonstandoffone week in: image via Sam Levin @SamTLevin, 10 January 2016
![Embedded image permalink]()
![Embedded image permalink]()
The OR militants have updated their wish list: image via JJ Macnab @jjmacNab, 9 January 2016
![Embedded image permalink]()
It's Chili Today! PETA delivering #vegan chili to law enforcement, Native Americans, & witnesses at Oregonstandoff: image via PETA Verified account @peta, 7 January 2016 ![Embedded image permalink]()
#Oregon: PETA delivers vegan jerky to ranchers at Oregonstandoff urging them to raise crops, NOT cows: image via PETA Verified account @peta, 7 January 2016 ![Embedded image permalink]()
What you need to know about the #Oregonstandoff this morning: image via The Oregonian @Oregonian, 10 January 2016
![Embedded image permalink]()
Feel like riding TriMet in your undies? Today's your chance during the No Pants MAX Ride.: image via The Oregonian @Oregonian, 10 January 2016
![]()
![Embedded image permalink]()
Such a quiet day in #Burns. Lots of folks at church or shoveling snow. No sign of movement w/#Oregonstandoff.: image via Amanda Peacher Verified account @amandapeacher, 10 January 2016
![]()
East-central Oregon near a national wildlife refuge that has been taken over by an armed group: photo by Jarod Opperman for The New York Times, 5 January 2016
Ryan Bundy, one of the sons of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, speaks with a reporter at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016, near Burns, Ore. With the takeover entering its fourth day Wednesday, authorities had not removed the group of roughly 20 people from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon's high desert country: photo by Rick Bowmer/Associated Press, 6 January 2016
Oregon militia leader Ryan Bundy compares government to slave master with whip: As It Happens with Carol Off and Jeff Douglas, CBC Radio, 6 January 2016
An armed, self-styled militia group has been occupying a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon since Saturday night. Calling themselves the Citizens for Constitutional Freedom, the group is led by sons of Cliven Bundy, a Nevada rancher who has engaged previously in armed standoffs with the federal government. As It Happens guest-host Helen Mann speaks with one of the group's leaders, the eldest Bundy son, Ryan. Here is part of their interview:
The master, who is the federal government, has got a whip hanging over them. - Ryan Bundy
Helen Mann: How many of you are there right now?
Ryan Bundy: That's not information we let out.
Ryan Bundy talks on the phone at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Ore., Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016. Bundy is one of the protesters occupying the refuge to object to a prison sentence for local ranchers for burning federal land.: photo by Rebecca Boone/AP, 3 January 2016
HM: Are you concerned that the FBI will raid the refuge?
RB: You know, we'll deal with that as it comes, but I don't believe that's really going to happen, no.
HM: When you say you'll "deal with that," what would you do?
RB: We would posture defensively as need be.
HM: You'd be willing to open fire?
RB: Did you not hear me? I answered your question. I said we'd posture defensively as need be.
HM: Well, defence doesn't necessarily mean opening fire. It could just be standing your ground.
RB: That's right, it doesn't, so please don't construe that it does.
The federal government owns 47 percent of all land in the West: photo by Jarod Opperman for The New York Times, 6 January 2016
HM: That's why I was asking you, I didn't want to make an assumption.
RB: You know what? There's some things you just shouldn't ask. It seems like the media, whether it be you, or the mainstream especially, they're always trying to squeeze... always trying to push things to some sort of violent action. It seems like you guys can't wait to see some sort of showdown, you can't wait to see some violence. I just don't understand that. Pay attention to the principles that are being taught here, and what needs to happen, rather than trying to push a fight.
HM: I'm not pushing anything, I just don't want to make any assumptions.
RB: Well then don't ask those questions, then.
HM: It's my job to ask questions, sir. How well armed are you guys?
RB: Again... [prolonged silence].
HM: Sorry, you cut out a little bit. Are you still there?
RB: No, I didn't cut out. If you want to continue this conversation, then I would ask you don't ask those kinds of questions. Let's stick to the principles and the reasons why we're here.
HM: Alright, what are your demands?
RB: [Laughs]. You don't just quit, do you?
A sign referencing Ammon Bundy and his brother, who are the sons of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, hangs on a tree in front of a home Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, in Burns, Ore. Ammon Bundy, the leader of a small, armed group that is occupying a remote national wildlife preserve in Oregon said Tuesday that they will go home when a plan is in place to turn over management of federal lands to locals.: photo by Rick Bowmer/AP, 5 January 2016
The interview continues. When asked why Bundy does not have the full support of Harney County locals, he replies:
RB: The reason these people are fearful to come out and support [us] is because they're being treated as though they are slaves. And the master, who is the federal government, has got a whip hanging over them. If they even lift their head, or raise their eyes a little bit, then they're snapped with another strike. And therefore they fear. People of Harney County are coming here and expressing that to us over and over, they express how their neighbours are in fear to do the same.
HM: When do you think you'll leave the refuge?
RB: When we have accomplished the design. Thank you.
Props to the kid reporter interviewing Ryan Bundy for his school newspaper #Oregonstandoff: image via Ian Kullgren Verified account @IanKullgren, 7 January 2016
The Assembling and Provision of the Armies (and this time make sure you patriotic folks out there don't forget the French Vanilla Creamer!)
This guy is now at #Oregonstandoff #MalheurWildlifeRefuge: image via Sam Levin @SamTLevin, 10 January 2016
New group of heavily armed folks arrives at #MalheurWildlifeRefuge as #OregonMilitia insists they are "deescalating": image via Sam Levin @SamTLevin, 9 January 2016
New group of heavily armed folks arrives at #MalheurWildlifeRefuge as #OregonMilitia insists they are "deescalating": image via Sam Levin @SamTLevin, 9 January 2016
A man stands guard after members of several organizations arrived at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon on Saturday: photo by The Oregonian, 9 January 2016
The Patriots Network guys are out and about Burns. "Keeping things safe," says Brandon Rappola. #Oregonstandoff.: image via Amanda Peacher Verified account @amandapeacher, 10 January 2016
Harney County is nearly twice the size of Connecticut: photo by Jarod Opperman for The New York Times, 6 January 2016
PETA has two deliveries in #Oregon: Chili for #Oregonstandoffwitnesses & this firm message for the ranchers: image via PETA Verified account @peta, 7 January 2016
Not lacking in supplies at #Oregonstandoffone week in: image via Sam Levin @SamTLevin, 10 January 2016
Not lacking in supplies at #Oregonstandoffone week in: image via Sam Levin @SamTLevin, 10 January 2016
Not lacking in supplies at #Oregonstandoffone week in: image via Sam Levin @SamTLevin, 10 January 2016
Not lacking in supplies at #Oregonstandoffone week in: image via Sam Levin @SamTLevin, 10 January 2016
The OR militants have updated their wish list: image via JJ Macnab @jjmacNab, 9 January 2016
It's Chili Today! PETA delivering #vegan chili to law enforcement, Native Americans, & witnesses at Oregonstandoff: image via PETA Verified account @peta, 7 January 2016
#Oregon: PETA delivers vegan jerky to ranchers at Oregonstandoff urging them to raise crops, NOT cows: image via PETA Verified account @peta, 7 January 2016
What you need to know about the #Oregonstandoff this morning: image via The Oregonian @Oregonian, 10 January 2016
Feel like riding TriMet in your undies? Today's your chance during the No Pants MAX Ride.: image via The Oregonian @Oregonian, 10 January 2016
Duane Ehmer riding his horse, Hellboy, last week at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Ore., where an armed group of antigovernment activists had seized control: photo by Rob Kerr/Agence France-Presse, 10 January 2016
![]()
The entrance of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on Monday. A group calling itself Citizens for Constitutional Freedom has occupied the refuge: photo by Jarod Opperman for The New York Times, 3 January 2016
Such a quiet day in #Burns. Lots of folks at church or shoveling snow. No sign of movement w/#Oregonstandoff.: image via Amanda Peacher Verified account @amandapeacher, 10 January 2016
East-central Oregon near a national wildlife refuge that has been taken over by an armed group: photo by Jarod Opperman for The New York Times, 5 January 2016