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FBI monitoring Oregon refuge seized by armed men | FBI monitoring Oregon refuge seized by armed men |
(35 minutes later) | |
The FBI is leading the response to the armed seizure of a US government building in Oregon, with officers trying not provoke the men who have threatened violence. | The FBI is leading the response to the armed seizure of a US government building in Oregon, with officers trying not provoke the men who have threatened violence. |
The anti-government group seized the remote wildlife refuge on Saturday, saying they supported two ranchers facing jail time for arson. | The anti-government group seized the remote wildlife refuge on Saturday, saying they supported two ranchers facing jail time for arson. |
Rancher Dwight Hammond, 73, and his son Steven, 46, have rejected the group. | Rancher Dwight Hammond, 73, and his son Steven, 46, have rejected the group. |
The case has riled right-wing activists who resent government interference. | The case has riled right-wing activists who resent government interference. |
The father and son duo were convicted three years ago of setting fires on federal land in 2001 and 2006, which they said were set to combat invasive species and protect their land from wildfires. | The father and son duo were convicted three years ago of setting fires on federal land in 2001 and 2006, which they said were set to combat invasive species and protect their land from wildfires. |
The have served jail time for the previous offences, but a federal judge has more recently said their terms were too short, violating mandatory minimum sentences. They have been ordered to serve four more years each. | |
Mr Hammond says he and his son plan to report peacefully to prison on Monday. | Mr Hammond says he and his son plan to report peacefully to prison on Monday. |
Those occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge centre in Burns say they plan to stay for years and may use violence if police try to evict them. | Those occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge centre in Burns say they plan to stay for years and may use violence if police try to evict them. |
While the ranchers' case has served as a rallying cry, the group says their ultimate goal is to turn over the property to local authorities so that it can be used free of federal oversight. | While the ranchers' case has served as a rallying cry, the group says their ultimate goal is to turn over the property to local authorities so that it can be used free of federal oversight. |
Among the group's leaders is Ryan Bundy, whose father was the subject of a separate high-profile armed standoff with US authorities over the use of federal land that took place in 2014. | Among the group's leaders is Ryan Bundy, whose father was the subject of a separate high-profile armed standoff with US authorities over the use of federal land that took place in 2014. |
Taking a similar approach that led to a peaceful end in that incident, authorities are monitoring the takeover from a distance but avoiding provoking the group with any signs of force. | Taking a similar approach that led to a peaceful end in that incident, authorities are monitoring the takeover from a distance but avoiding provoking the group with any signs of force. |
However the strategy has drawn criticism, saying the restrained response is because the occupiers are white. | However the strategy has drawn criticism, saying the restrained response is because the occupiers are white. |
The FBI has said it wants "to bring a peaceful resolution to the situation". | The FBI has said it wants "to bring a peaceful resolution to the situation". |
Ryan Bundy, who is among the leaders of the group, told the Associated Press that he hopes the armed takeover would inspire others to seize federally owned land. | Ryan Bundy, who is among the leaders of the group, told the Associated Press that he hopes the armed takeover would inspire others to seize federally owned land. |
Federal land control has been a contentious issue for decades, and is rooted in the US's expansion westward. | Federal land control has been a contentious issue for decades, and is rooted in the US's expansion westward. |
Federal land ownership in the US | Federal land ownership in the US |
The US federal government owns large tracts of land that are geographically located within state borders. | The US federal government owns large tracts of land that are geographically located within state borders. |
The land is usually held in trust for US citizens by entities like the US Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, the US Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Forest Service, the US Bureau of Land Management, among several others. | The land is usually held in trust for US citizens by entities like the US Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, the US Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Forest Service, the US Bureau of Land Management, among several others. |
Most of federally owned land is concentrated in western states, with over 46% of land inside the state of Oregon owned by the federal government. | Most of federally owned land is concentrated in western states, with over 46% of land inside the state of Oregon owned by the federal government. |
Other key states that contain large amounts of federally-controlled land include California (35%+), Nevada (76%+), Utah (70%+), and Idaho (60%+). | Other key states that contain large amounts of federally-controlled land include California (35%+), Nevada (76%+), Utah (70%+), and Idaho (60%+). |
Sources: USGS High Resolution Map of Federal Land (PDF); WildlandFire.com | Sources: USGS High Resolution Map of Federal Land (PDF); WildlandFire.com |
The standoff has stoked fears among residents in the remote town of Burns, located about 30 miles (48.3 km) south of the seized building. | The standoff has stoked fears among residents in the remote town of Burns, located about 30 miles (48.3 km) south of the seized building. |
One resident said he feared that the armed group - largely, if not completely composed of men from outside Oregon - may seek to harm the children of law enforcement officials who live in the area. | One resident said he feared that the armed group - largely, if not completely composed of men from outside Oregon - may seek to harm the children of law enforcement officials who live in the area. |
Mr Bundy has refused to say how many men were at the property, which is being guarded by pickup trucks and armed men wearing camouflage. | Mr Bundy has refused to say how many men were at the property, which is being guarded by pickup trucks and armed men wearing camouflage. |