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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Oregon standoff escalates as FBI surrounds Malheur wildlife refuge – live updates | Oregon standoff escalates as FBI surrounds Malheur wildlife refuge – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.28am GMT | |
| 04:28 | |
| Who is Michele Fiore? | |
| Julia Carrie Wong | |
| Michele Fiore is a Republican Nevada state assemblywoman. Now in her second term, the Brooklyn native is perhaps best known for her adamant support of gun rights and Cliven Bundy’s 2014 standoff with the federal government. | |
| On Monday, Fiore announced that she would travel to Oregon to support Ammon Bundy and the other Malheur occupiers currently under indictment. Fiore had planned to hold a press conference at the law offices of Arnold law firm on Thursday morning where a statement from Ammon Bundy would be read. | |
| In 2014, Fiore spent time at Cliven Bundy’s Nevada ranch during the family’s standoff with the Bureau of Land Management. Fiore called the militia members who participated in the armed standoff “freedom fighters” and called on members of law enforcement agencies “not to obey your superiors when given a direct order to attack your fellow Americans fighting for the freedoms granted to us by our constitution”. | |
| Fiore drew national attention again last December for her Christmas card, which featured her entire family, including a small child, holding firearms. “It’s up to Americans to protect America. We’re just your ordinary American family,” Fiore wrote in a Facebook post sharing the image. | |
| 4.23am GMT | |
| 04:23 | |
| 4.20am GMT | |
| 04:20 | |
| Paul Lewis | |
| The feed of the live phone call is at turns disturbing and downright surreal. There was just a moment of sheer panic when Sean Anderson announced he was going to light an outdoor heater. | |
| “I am going to light a propane heater cos we are standing out here freezing cold,” he said. | |
| “Don’t do that, don’t do that,” replied Congresswoman Fiore. | |
| There appeared to be a frantic attempt to communicate with the FBI that the occupiers were on the cusp of lighting their heater, so they didn’t misunderstand what was happening. | |
| Amid discussions about whether there were flammable materials in the area, and attempts to implore Anderson not to light the heater, he replied: “I am going to go ahead and light this so my wife can be warm. If they shoot them that’s on their fucking ass.” | |
| He lit the heater. | |
| 4.17am GMT | |
| 04:17 | |
| The fourth occupier is Jeff Banta – here’s some background on him, courtesy of AP: | |
| The 47-year-old has lived in Elko, Nevada, the last several years and worked in construction most of his life, his ex-wife said. | |
| Banta graduated from Yerington high school in the rural town of Yerington, about 70 miles (113km) southeast of Reno, said Angela Ellington Banta, who still lives there. | |
| His father, Willard Banta, 73, said all of his children grew up hunting and fishing at an early age. | |
| “I had them out in the hills with me as soon as they were old enough to walk and out of diapers,” he said. | |
| The elder Banta said he had talked to his son “once or twice” since the standoff began but declined to provide details. | |
| “He just said, ‘I’m all right,”’ Willard Banta said. “I’m wondering if he is going to make it out. I’d like to see my son come home. I hope he does, but I have my doubts.” | |
| Jeffrey Banta and his ex-wife have two children, the eldest a 23-year-old woman who is married and has a child, living in the Reno area. | |
| Ellington Banta said she doesn’t really know what her ex-husband has been doing in recent years and doesn’t want to discuss the standoff because she has “two kids who have been really affected by all this”. | |
| 4.08am GMT | |
| 04:08 | |
| The charges against the four occupiers | |
| The four people still inside the refuge – David Fry, Jeff Banta, and husband-and-wife Sean and Sandy Anderson – were all named in a federal indictment last week. | |
| They – along with Ammon Bundy and others tied to the armed standoff – face federal conspiracy charges over their alleged use of “force, intimidation, and threats” against government officials, according to the indictment. | |
| A federal grand jury has accused Bundy and the other militia members of preventing US Fish and Wildlife Service officers from discharging their official duties at the Malheur national wildlife refuge since 2 January. | |
| The four remaining occupiers have said they refuse to leave unless they have assurances they would not face charges. | |
| 4.02am GMT | |
| 04:02 | |
| More vehicles are approaching the refuge, the occupiers are saying. | |
| They broke through our barricades, they object. | |
| 3.59am GMT | 3.59am GMT |
| 03:59 | 03:59 |
| Fiore: 'I'm not asking you to give up' | Fiore: 'I'm not asking you to give up' |
| Fiore – who appears to be acting as a curious mixture of negotiator and cheerleader – tells the occupiers that they are engaged in a battle to take America back. | Fiore – who appears to be acting as a curious mixture of negotiator and cheerleader – tells the occupiers that they are engaged in a battle to take America back. |
| She is being driven to the refuge now, in a journey expected to take around four hours. | She is being driven to the refuge now, in a journey expected to take around four hours. |
| Fiore says her cellphone signal might drop as they drive through mountains, but says the FBI will not act while the signal is down (we don’t have confirmation of that alleged agreement from the FBI). | Fiore says her cellphone signal might drop as they drive through mountains, but says the FBI will not act while the signal is down (we don’t have confirmation of that alleged agreement from the FBI). |
| “In order to stay alive, I have to submit and be a slave,” Sean Anderson shouts. He compares himself to Braveheart. | “In order to stay alive, I have to submit and be a slave,” Sean Anderson shouts. He compares himself to Braveheart. |
| “I’m not asking you to give up,” Fiore tells him. | “I’m not asking you to give up,” Fiore tells him. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.59am GMT | at 3.59am GMT |
| 3.50am GMT | 3.50am GMT |
| 03:50 | 03:50 |
| Associated Press has further background information on two of the occupiers, husband and wife Sean and Sandy Anderson: | Associated Press has further background information on two of the occupiers, husband and wife Sean and Sandy Anderson: |
| The husband and wife moved from the town of Janesville, Wisconsin, within the last several years to Riggins, Idaho, where Sean, 47, opened a store for hunting, tactical and survival gear. Sandy, 48, worked at a gas station. | The husband and wife moved from the town of Janesville, Wisconsin, within the last several years to Riggins, Idaho, where Sean, 47, opened a store for hunting, tactical and survival gear. Sandy, 48, worked at a gas station. |
| Idaho County, where they live, and Harney County, 290 miles away where the refuge is located, are similar in many ways. Both have large portions of land managed by federal agencies and populations chafing at restrictions put on that land. | Idaho County, where they live, and Harney County, 290 miles away where the refuge is located, are similar in many ways. Both have large portions of land managed by federal agencies and populations chafing at restrictions put on that land. |
| Idaho county sheriff Doug Giddings said the Andersons are good residents, though he didn’t know as much about Sean as he did about Sandy. | Idaho county sheriff Doug Giddings said the Andersons are good residents, though he didn’t know as much about Sean as he did about Sandy. |
| “She’s a good person, she’s just upset with the government,” he told Oregon Public Broadcasting. | “She’s a good person, she’s just upset with the government,” he told Oregon Public Broadcasting. |
| Sean Anderson is facing misdemeanor charges in Wisconsin for resisting an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of THC, the intoxicating chemical in marijuana. | Sean Anderson is facing misdemeanor charges in Wisconsin for resisting an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of THC, the intoxicating chemical in marijuana. |
| He also has pleaded guilty to a series of misdemeanors in recent years: domestic abuse in December 2010, disorderly conduct in 2008, criminal trespass in a dwelling in 2002, and disorderly conduct in 1999. | He also has pleaded guilty to a series of misdemeanors in recent years: domestic abuse in December 2010, disorderly conduct in 2008, criminal trespass in a dwelling in 2002, and disorderly conduct in 1999. |
| A friend of the couple, Lindsey Dipo, told the Lewiston Tribune newspaper that the couple recorded their will on Dipo’s cellphone before departing for Oregon. | A friend of the couple, Lindsey Dipo, told the Lewiston Tribune newspaper that the couple recorded their will on Dipo’s cellphone before departing for Oregon. |
| 3.46am GMT | 3.46am GMT |
| 03:46 | 03:46 |
| The occupiers – and Fiore on the other end of the phone line – break off frequently to pray. | The occupiers – and Fiore on the other end of the phone line – break off frequently to pray. |
| Sandy Anderson is angered because she says the FBI negotiators interrupted one prayer session. | Sandy Anderson is angered because she says the FBI negotiators interrupted one prayer session. |
| Fiore says this is good – it shows the FBI is listening to the broadcast and they know what is happening. | Fiore says this is good – it shows the FBI is listening to the broadcast and they know what is happening. |
| 3.43am GMT | 3.43am GMT |
| 03:43 | 03:43 |
| “If they won’t give us one more day … we’re just going to stay here and fucking die,” Sean Anderson says. | “If they won’t give us one more day … we’re just going to stay here and fucking die,” Sean Anderson says. |
| 3.39am GMT | 3.39am GMT |
| 03:39 | 03:39 |
| Cliven Bundy on his way to the refuge | Cliven Bundy on his way to the refuge |
| Cliven Bundy has confirmed in a phone interview with the Guardian just now that he is on his way to the refuge. | Cliven Bundy has confirmed in a phone interview with the Guardian just now that he is on his way to the refuge. |
| “I hope I save some lives, for one thing,” he said. | “I hope I save some lives, for one thing,” he said. |
| The elder Bundy said he decided to go to Harney County after he saw the FBI was closing in on the occupiers: | The elder Bundy said he decided to go to Harney County after he saw the FBI was closing in on the occupiers: |
| I guess if they wanted to murder somebody tonight, that’d be a good way to do it. | I guess if they wanted to murder somebody tonight, that’d be a good way to do it. |
| I don’t know whether I’ll be a negotiator or maybe a demander. I think we oughta take this country back and I think it’s time the feds get out of there. | I don’t know whether I’ll be a negotiator or maybe a demander. I think we oughta take this country back and I think it’s time the feds get out of there. |
| Bundy said he has not heard from law enforcement: | Bundy said he has not heard from law enforcement: |
| I’m not really talking to the FBI. As far as I’m concerned, they have no jurisdiction or authority there. | I’m not really talking to the FBI. As far as I’m concerned, they have no jurisdiction or authority there. |
| Bundy declined to say if anyone else was with him or how long it would take him to get there. | Bundy declined to say if anyone else was with him or how long it would take him to get there. |
| 3.35am GMT | 3.35am GMT |
| 03:35 | 03:35 |
| Sean Anderson says he wants assurances that the four occupiers won’t face prosecution. | Sean Anderson says he wants assurances that the four occupiers won’t face prosecution. |
| “They can drop charges, they do it all the time – for people who are way worse than we are,” he told Fiore. | “They can drop charges, they do it all the time – for people who are way worse than we are,” he told Fiore. |
| The occupiers are also telling the assemblywoman that Franklin Graham, a reverend from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, is in discussions with them. The occupiers said the FBI may consider letting them walk out at 7am Thursday morning with Graham. | The occupiers are also telling the assemblywoman that Franklin Graham, a reverend from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, is in discussions with them. The occupiers said the FBI may consider letting them walk out at 7am Thursday morning with Graham. |
| But Sean Anderson said he wasn’t confident they would get out alive: “How can we trust what they are saying?” | But Sean Anderson said he wasn’t confident they would get out alive: “How can we trust what they are saying?” |
| 3.32am GMT | 3.32am GMT |
| 03:32 | 03:32 |
| Sean Anderson, one of the occupiers, has just announced what he calls their “concession” – that the four of them will leave the refuge in daylight on Thursday if they are allowed to be accompanied by Congresswoman Fiore and Christian evangelist Franklin Graham. | Sean Anderson, one of the occupiers, has just announced what he calls their “concession” – that the four of them will leave the refuge in daylight on Thursday if they are allowed to be accompanied by Congresswoman Fiore and Christian evangelist Franklin Graham. |
| He says the FBI must now offer its own concession in return. | He says the FBI must now offer its own concession in return. |
| 3.30am GMT | 3.30am GMT |
| 03:30 | 03:30 |
| According to a Facebook page associated with the militia, Cliven Bundy – father of Ammon Bundy and himself involved in an earlier standoff with officials – is on his way to the site of the siege. | According to a Facebook page associated with the militia, Cliven Bundy – father of Ammon Bundy and himself involved in an earlier standoff with officials – is on his way to the site of the siege. |
| However, the FBI has reportedly told the four occupiers that nobody will be able to enter the property. | However, the FBI has reportedly told the four occupiers that nobody will be able to enter the property. |
| 3.26am GMT | 3.26am GMT |
| 03:26 | 03:26 |
| Helicopters heard over the refuge | Helicopters heard over the refuge |
| Paul Lewis | Paul Lewis |
| The live broadcast just captured the moment the occupiers heard helicopters above the refuge. | The live broadcast just captured the moment the occupiers heard helicopters above the refuge. |
| “The black hawks are here and they’re going to kill us,” said one voice, which appeared to be David Fry, the most agitated of the occupiers. | “The black hawks are here and they’re going to kill us,” said one voice, which appeared to be David Fry, the most agitated of the occupiers. |
| He added moments later: “If they fire first, my weapon is in reach and I’m going to take them with me.” | He added moments later: “If they fire first, my weapon is in reach and I’m going to take them with me.” |
| Gavin Seim, the rightwing activist who is running the Youtube broadcast, led a group prayer for those inside, and assured them that leader Ammon Bundy, who in prison, has been taken out of solitary confinement. | Gavin Seim, the rightwing activist who is running the Youtube broadcast, led a group prayer for those inside, and assured them that leader Ammon Bundy, who in prison, has been taken out of solitary confinement. |
| Assemblywoman Michele Fiore – who is also on the line, acting as a mediator – is also encouraging the remaining occupiers to remain calm. “I need you to stay alive. The only way we’re going to be able to write your story and write your book is if you stay alive.” | Assemblywoman Michele Fiore – who is also on the line, acting as a mediator – is also encouraging the remaining occupiers to remain calm. “I need you to stay alive. The only way we’re going to be able to write your story and write your book is if you stay alive.” |
| The occupiers appear to have a separate line to the FBI, and are relaying that they’ve been told no one will be allowed on to the refuge until they leave. | The occupiers appear to have a separate line to the FBI, and are relaying that they’ve been told no one will be allowed on to the refuge until they leave. |
| “They want us to leave. They said the time for concessions has passed,” Sandy Anderson said. | “They want us to leave. They said the time for concessions has passed,” Sandy Anderson said. |
| The details are sketchy, and the audio in parts inaudible, but it appears that one proposal is for a local figure, possibly a reverend, to join the occupiers and lead them off the site. | The details are sketchy, and the audio in parts inaudible, but it appears that one proposal is for a local figure, possibly a reverend, to join the occupiers and lead them off the site. |
| 3.17am GMT | 3.17am GMT |
| 03:17 | 03:17 |
| David Fry, the 27-year-old occupier from Ohio, has become increasingly agitated on the live stream, shouting at Fiore and his fellow protesters. | David Fry, the 27-year-old occupier from Ohio, has become increasingly agitated on the live stream, shouting at Fiore and his fellow protesters. |
| Fry made headlines when he posted video of himself using government computers to create a website for the occupation. | Fry made headlines when he posted video of himself using government computers to create a website for the occupation. |
| According to a recent profile of Fry by Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), his antics led many in the militia to grow frustrated with him, with some wanting him to leave. | According to a recent profile of Fry by Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), his antics led many in the militia to grow frustrated with him, with some wanting him to leave. |
| Fry had previously communicated with militia spokesman LaVoy Finicum online, and Finicum had reportedly encouraged the young occupier to stay. | Fry had previously communicated with militia spokesman LaVoy Finicum online, and Finicum had reportedly encouraged the young occupier to stay. |
| Fry’s family told the radio station that he has frequently had problems with authorities. | Fry’s family told the radio station that he has frequently had problems with authorities. |
| “He’s had his problems, some of which he’s brought on himself,” his grandfather, William Fry, told OPB. | “He’s had his problems, some of which he’s brought on himself,” his grandfather, William Fry, told OPB. |
| “He gets pulled over for busted tail-lights, and instead of just rolling down his window and handing over his insurance, he screams at the officer: ‘What the [expletive] do you want?’ And right there, a regular thing turns into him in handcuffs.” | “He gets pulled over for busted tail-lights, and instead of just rolling down his window and handing over his insurance, he screams at the officer: ‘What the [expletive] do you want?’ And right there, a regular thing turns into him in handcuffs.” |
| Fry also often writes about conspiracy theories online. | Fry also often writes about conspiracy theories online. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.18am GMT | at 3.18am GMT |
| 3.13am GMT | 3.13am GMT |
| 03:13 | 03:13 |
| The occupation at Malheur started on 2 January in response to the conviction of two local ranchers on arson charges. Our explainer has more on the background to the 40-day standoff: | The occupation at Malheur started on 2 January in response to the conviction of two local ranchers on arson charges. Our explainer has more on the background to the 40-day standoff: |
| Related: Oregon militia explainer: background to the standoff | Related: Oregon militia explainer: background to the standoff |
| 3.06am GMT | 3.06am GMT |
| 03:06 | 03:06 |
| The occupiers sound increasingly agitated – there is a lot of shouting. | The occupiers sound increasingly agitated – there is a lot of shouting. |
| Fiore tells them she needs them to stay alive. The only way to tell your story, or write your book, is to stay alive, she says. | Fiore tells them she needs them to stay alive. The only way to tell your story, or write your book, is to stay alive, she says. |
| The militia members express anger over the death of LaVoy Finicum, the militia spokesman who was killed by law enforcement officials. | The militia members express anger over the death of LaVoy Finicum, the militia spokesman who was killed by law enforcement officials. |
| They insist they are law-abiding. | They insist they are law-abiding. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.08am GMT | at 3.08am GMT |
| 3.00am GMT | 3.00am GMT |
| 03:00 | 03:00 |
| 'We’re not leaving without our weapons' | 'We’re not leaving without our weapons' |
| The occupiers say that FBI negotiators have asked them to walk out towards the vehicles (we can’t currently confirm this). | The occupiers say that FBI negotiators have asked them to walk out towards the vehicles (we can’t currently confirm this). |
| Sandy Anderson tells Fiore: “We’re not leaving without our weapons.” | Sandy Anderson tells Fiore: “We’re not leaving without our weapons.” |
| A male voice added: “At what point do we say ‘we’ve done enough’? And enough is enough is enough?” | A male voice added: “At what point do we say ‘we’ve done enough’? And enough is enough is enough?” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.02am GMT | at 3.02am GMT |
| 2.57am GMT | 2.57am GMT |
| 02:57 | 02:57 |
| Sam Levin has been speaking to Mike Arnold, attorney for jailed militia leader Ammon Bundy. | Sam Levin has been speaking to Mike Arnold, attorney for jailed militia leader Ammon Bundy. |
| In a phone interview Arnold said he was watching the events unfold and that he was hoping Fiore could negotiate a non-violent end to the standoff. | In a phone interview Arnold said he was watching the events unfold and that he was hoping Fiore could negotiate a non-violent end to the standoff. |
| Arnold, who has repeatedly released statements from Bundy over the last two weeks urging the final occupiers to surrender, told the Guardian: | Arnold, who has repeatedly released statements from Bundy over the last two weeks urging the final occupiers to surrender, told the Guardian: |
| We’re voicing support for them to stand down peacefully and fight this in the courts. | We’re voicing support for them to stand down peacefully and fight this in the courts. |
| I’m just praying that everybody takes a deep breath, relaxes and that they walk out and start the fight in the courts. | I’m just praying that everybody takes a deep breath, relaxes and that they walk out and start the fight in the courts. |
| 2.55am GMT | 2.55am GMT |
| 02:55 | 02:55 |
| Paul Lewis | Paul Lewis |
| The live audio broadcast from the refuge is providing a window into confusion, mayhem and panic. | The live audio broadcast from the refuge is providing a window into confusion, mayhem and panic. |
| The four occupiers are clearly confused as to how to respond to the FBI’s decision to surround the refuge, and appear divided over how to respond. | The four occupiers are clearly confused as to how to respond to the FBI’s decision to surround the refuge, and appear divided over how to respond. |
| “If they figure out how to cut our communications, then we’re probably dead,” one woman inside the refuge said a few minutes ago. | “If they figure out how to cut our communications, then we’re probably dead,” one woman inside the refuge said a few minutes ago. |
| Moments later they appeared to be discussing leaving the refuge en masse. | Moments later they appeared to be discussing leaving the refuge en masse. |
| 2.54am GMT | 2.54am GMT |
| 02:54 | 02:54 |
| In the live-stream audio, occupier David Fry can be heard shouting that they have broken no laws and demanding that FBI agents leave the refuge surrounds. | |
| Updated | |
| at 4.31am GMT | |
| 2.51am GMT | 2.51am GMT |
| 02:51 | 02:51 |
| Fiore has suggested that the occupants tell FBI negotiators that they will walk out of the refuge together, if law enforcement officials allow Fiore to come to the refuge. | Fiore has suggested that the occupants tell FBI negotiators that they will walk out of the refuge together, if law enforcement officials allow Fiore to come to the refuge. |
| “There’s been one martyr too many,” Fiore tells them. | “There’s been one martyr too many,” Fiore tells them. |
| The assemblywoman says she is currently at the airport. | The assemblywoman says she is currently at the airport. |
| 2.48am GMT | 2.48am GMT |
| 02:48 | 02:48 |
| Assemblywoman Michele Fiore, a Nevada lawmaker who supported rancher Cliven Bundy in a 2014 standoff with the government, called the occupiers at around 6.15pm PST, saying she wanted to act as a negotiator between the FBI and the protesters. | Assemblywoman Michele Fiore, a Nevada lawmaker who supported rancher Cliven Bundy in a 2014 standoff with the government, called the occupiers at around 6.15pm PST, saying she wanted to act as a negotiator between the FBI and the protesters. |
| In a call broadcast on YouTube, Fiore said to the occupiers: | In a call broadcast on YouTube, Fiore said to the occupiers: |
| We need a negotiator on the phone immediately. | We need a negotiator on the phone immediately. |
| I will come to the refuge … We cannot afford more bloodshed. | I will come to the refuge … We cannot afford more bloodshed. |
| I’m willing to negotiate with the FBI for a peaceful resolution. | I’m willing to negotiate with the FBI for a peaceful resolution. |
| Fiore said she had arrived in Oregon and was willing to come to the occupation to help the two sides communicate in an effort to avoid violence. | Fiore said she had arrived in Oregon and was willing to come to the occupation to help the two sides communicate in an effort to avoid violence. |
| Occupier Sandy Anderson shouted to the FBI in response: | Occupier Sandy Anderson shouted to the FBI in response: |
| You need to stand down. [Fiore] says you need to stand down. She’s coming here to settle this peacefully! Not your way! | You need to stand down. [Fiore] says you need to stand down. She’s coming here to settle this peacefully! Not your way! |
| 2.45am GMT | 2.45am GMT |
| 02:45 | 02:45 |
| Ammon Bundy, the leader of the militia group that seized the refuge on 2 January, told his attorneys last week that the four people maintaining the occupation should “go home to your families”. | Ammon Bundy, the leader of the militia group that seized the refuge on 2 January, told his attorneys last week that the four people maintaining the occupation should “go home to your families”. |
| The protest was “never meant to be an armed standoff”, he said, in a cellphone call to his attorneys, Mike Arnold and Lissa Casey, who taped the conversation and relayed it to the holdouts at the refuge 30 miles north-east of Burns. | The protest was “never meant to be an armed standoff”, he said, in a cellphone call to his attorneys, Mike Arnold and Lissa Casey, who taped the conversation and relayed it to the holdouts at the refuge 30 miles north-east of Burns. |
| Bundy is currently held in the Multnomah County jail in Portland on federal felony charges. He was arrested in a traffic stop that also resulted in the fatal shooting of activist Robert LaVoy Finicum. | Bundy is currently held in the Multnomah County jail in Portland on federal felony charges. He was arrested in a traffic stop that also resulted in the fatal shooting of activist Robert LaVoy Finicum. |
| 2.39am GMT | 2.39am GMT |
| 02:39 | 02:39 |
| Sam Levin | Sam Levin |
| The four holdouts at the Malheur national wildlife refuge are David Fry, Jeff Banta, and husband-and-wife Sean Anderson and Sandy Anderson. | The four holdouts at the Malheur national wildlife refuge are David Fry, Jeff Banta, and husband-and-wife Sean Anderson and Sandy Anderson. |
| The FBI surrounded the four remaining occupiers on Wednesday night, prompting a dramatic standoff that was live-streamed on YouTube. | The FBI surrounded the four remaining occupiers on Wednesday night, prompting a dramatic standoff that was live-streamed on YouTube. |
| According to an FBI statement, one of the occupiers drove outside of the police barricades on Wednesday afternoon, and agents attempted unsuccessfully to approach the individual. | According to an FBI statement, one of the occupiers drove outside of the police barricades on Wednesday afternoon, and agents attempted unsuccessfully to approach the individual. |
| On a live stream published by activist Gavin Seim, a woman identifying herself as Sandy Anderson shouted: | On a live stream published by activist Gavin Seim, a woman identifying herself as Sandy Anderson shouted: |
| Please don’t let us die in vain tonight! If they shoot us and kill us, this is going to be a revolution! | Please don’t let us die in vain tonight! If they shoot us and kill us, this is going to be a revolution! |
| Our weapons are at our side. | Our weapons are at our side. |
| 2.36am GMT | 2.36am GMT |
| 02:36 | 02:36 |
| Opening summary | Opening summary |
| Claire Phipps | Claire Phipps |
| Although reports from Burns, Oregon, are still unclear, what we do know is that the FBI is surrounding the Malheur wildlife refuge, where four armed militia members continue their 40-day occupation. | Although reports from Burns, Oregon, are still unclear, what we do know is that the FBI is surrounding the Malheur wildlife refuge, where four armed militia members continue their 40-day occupation. |
| The FBI has released a statement confirming the escalation: | The FBI has released a statement confirming the escalation: |
| At approximately 4.30pm (Pacific) on Wednesday, February 10, 2016, one of the occupiers rode an ATV outside the barricades established by the militia at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. FBI agents attempted to approach the driver, and he returned to the encampment at the refuge at a high rate of speed. | At approximately 4.30pm (Pacific) on Wednesday, February 10, 2016, one of the occupiers rode an ATV outside the barricades established by the militia at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. FBI agents attempted to approach the driver, and he returned to the encampment at the refuge at a high rate of speed. |
| At this time, the FBI has moved to contain the remaining occupiers by placing agents at barricades both immediately ahead of and behind the area where the occupiers are camping. Negotiations between the occupiers and the FBI continue. No shots have been fired. | At this time, the FBI has moved to contain the remaining occupiers by placing agents at barricades both immediately ahead of and behind the area where the occupiers are camping. Negotiations between the occupiers and the FBI continue. No shots have been fired. |
| Greg Bretzing, special agent in charge of the FBI in Oregon, said: | Greg Bretzing, special agent in charge of the FBI in Oregon, said: |
| It has never been the FBI’s desire to engage these armed occupiers in any way other than through dialogue, and to that end, the FBI has negotiated with patience and restraint in an effort to resolve the situation peacefully. However, we reached a point where it became necessary to take action in a way that best ensured the safety of those on the refuge, the law enforcement officers who are on scene, and the people of Harney County who live and work in this area. | It has never been the FBI’s desire to engage these armed occupiers in any way other than through dialogue, and to that end, the FBI has negotiated with patience and restraint in an effort to resolve the situation peacefully. However, we reached a point where it became necessary to take action in a way that best ensured the safety of those on the refuge, the law enforcement officers who are on scene, and the people of Harney County who live and work in this area. |
| Our most up-to-date story is here and we will have more updates as this news continues to develop: | Our most up-to-date story is here and we will have more updates as this news continues to develop: |
| Related: Oregon militia standoff: FBI surrounds remaining occupiers at wildlife refuge | Related: Oregon militia standoff: FBI surrounds remaining occupiers at wildlife refuge |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.38am GMT | at 2.38am GMT |