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| Oregon standoff: last militia members say they will turn themselves over to FBI – live updates | Oregon standoff: last militia members say they will turn themselves over to FBI – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 7.26am GMT | |
| 07:26 | |
| Sam Levin has been talking to Mike Arnold, Ammon Bundy’s attorney who is currently driving with assemblywoman Fiore to the refuge. | |
| Arnold confirmed by phone that Cliven Bundy has been arrested, which he said he learned from the FBI. | |
| He said he worried it could derail the plan for a resolution at the refuge on Thursday morning: | |
| “It’s unfortunate timing considering all the progress that we made this evening, but I hope that the folks at the refuge find some positive observations out of it. | |
| “Cliven was arrested safely and without incident, without harm. | |
| “So we’re hoping tomorrow everything turns out the same and everybody can be in that courtroom together arguing their position.” | |
| 7.22am GMT | |
| 07:22 | |
| Oregonian reporter Les Zait says Cliven Bundy has been detained in relation to a separate standoff, which took place in neighbouring Nevada in 2004: | |
| BREAKING: Cliven Bundy arrested in Portland Wednesday night on federal charges for the 2014 standoff in Nevada with federal agents. | |
| MORE: Among the charges Cliven Bundy faces is conspiracy to interfere with federal officers. The same charge his sons face for OR takeover. | |
| 7.14am GMT | |
| 07:14 | |
| In a brief phone chat with the Guardian’s Sam Levin just after 11pm PST, Cliven Bundy’s wife Carol confirmed that he had flown in, but said she didn’t know if he had been detained. | |
| Two Bundy sons – Ammon and Ryan – are already being held in Multnomah county jail in connection with the Malheur refuge standoff. | |
| Updated | |
| at 7.19am GMT | |
| 7.12am GMT | |
| 07:12 | |
| Cliven Bundy arrested | |
| I’m now seeing reports that Cliven Bundy – the father of Oregon militia leader Ammon Bundy, and who earlier told the Guardian he was on the way to the site of the standoff – has been detained and is being held in Multnomah county jail. | |
| Cliven Bundy has been arrested and is in Multnomah County Jail #Oregonstandoff pic.twitter.com/BTdX5LTBLC | |
| We are working to verify this information. | |
| 6.31am GMT | 6.31am GMT |
| 06:31 | 06:31 |
| What we know so far | What we know so far |
| We are not surrendering, we’re turning ourselves in … | We are not surrendering, we’re turning ourselves in … |
| It goes against everything we believe in but we’re going to do it. | It goes against everything we believe in but we’re going to do it. |
| 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. | 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. | However, we reached a point where it became necessary to take action. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.32am GMT | at 6.32am GMT |
| 6.26am GMT | 6.26am GMT |
| 06:26 | 06:26 |
| Julia Carrie Wong | Julia Carrie Wong |
| Michele Fiore was a Republican state legislator – barely known outside Nevada – before she was thrust into the heart of the Oregon militia standoff on Wednesday in the most dramatic and bizarre of circumstances. | Michele Fiore was a Republican state legislator – barely known outside Nevada – before she was thrust into the heart of the Oregon militia standoff on Wednesday in the most dramatic and bizarre of circumstances. |
| Shortly after the FBI closed in on the armed militia, sparking panic among the four remaining occupiers at the Malheur national wildlife refuge, Fiore was on the line acting as a mediator with law enforcement officials. | Shortly after the FBI closed in on the armed militia, sparking panic among the four remaining occupiers at the Malheur national wildlife refuge, Fiore was on the line acting as a mediator with law enforcement officials. |
| Her dramatic conversations with the militia, whom she pleaded to hold back from confronting the FBI, were broadcast, in real time, on YouTube, in a live-stream that at one stage had upwards of 60,000 listeners. | Her dramatic conversations with the militia, whom she pleaded to hold back from confronting the FBI, were broadcast, in real time, on YouTube, in a live-stream that at one stage had upwards of 60,000 listeners. |
| Read more about Fiore in our profile here: | Read more about Fiore in our profile here: |
| Related: Who is Michele Fiore? What we know about the Oregon standoff negotiator | Related: Who is Michele Fiore? What we know about the Oregon standoff negotiator |
| 6.15am GMT | 6.15am GMT |
| 06:15 | 06:15 |
| As the four occupiers decided to turn in for the night – ahead of their scheduled meeting on Thursday morning in which the turning-in will be to the FBI – live stream host Gavin Seim played them a song by Victoria Sharp. | As the four occupiers decided to turn in for the night – ahead of their scheduled meeting on Thursday morning in which the turning-in will be to the FBI – live stream host Gavin Seim played them a song by Victoria Sharp. |
| Sam Levin reports: | Sam Levin reports: |
| Sharp, an 18-year-old from Kansas, became a key figure in the standoff after she spoke out about LaVoy Finicum’s shooting. | Sharp, an 18-year-old from Kansas, became a key figure in the standoff after she spoke out about LaVoy Finicum’s shooting. |
| Sharp was in the car with Finicum when law enforcement officials stopped them on a remote highway. She later told reporters that Finicum had his hands up when he was fatally shot – a claim the FBI has refuted. | Sharp was in the car with Finicum when law enforcement officials stopped them on a remote highway. She later told reporters that Finicum had his hands up when he was fatally shot – a claim the FBI has refuted. |
| The New York Times profiled the Sharp Family Band, which came to Oregon to perform for protesters. The family gospel band was also present at Cliven Bundy’s 2014 standoff with the federal government in Nevada. To Oregon, Victoria’s mother, Odalis Sharp, brought eight of her kids, aged five to 18. | The New York Times profiled the Sharp Family Band, which came to Oregon to perform for protesters. The family gospel band was also present at Cliven Bundy’s 2014 standoff with the federal government in Nevada. To Oregon, Victoria’s mother, Odalis Sharp, brought eight of her kids, aged five to 18. |
| When the family was waiting to hear if Victoria had survived the shooting with police, the family sang gospel songs inside a crowded senior center – sobbing all the way through, according to the Times. | When the family was waiting to hear if Victoria had survived the shooting with police, the family sang gospel songs inside a crowded senior center – sobbing all the way through, according to the Times. |
| 6.01am GMT | 6.01am GMT |
| 06:01 | 06:01 |
| Why did the FBI move in now? | Why did the FBI move in now? |
| The FBI has not commented publicly on the move to bring to an end the 40-day standoff since an early press release confirmed agents had circled the refuge. | The FBI has not commented publicly on the move to bring to an end the 40-day standoff since an early press release confirmed agents had circled the refuge. |
| Greg Bretzing, special agent in charge of the FBI in Oregon, said then: | Greg Bretzing, special agent in charge of the FBI in Oregon, said then: |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 5.57am GMT | 5.57am GMT |
| 05:57 | 05:57 |
| It should be pointed out that reports of the 8am checkpoint meeting have come entirely from the occupiers themselves. | It should be pointed out that reports of the 8am checkpoint meeting have come entirely from the occupiers themselves. |
| The FBI has not confirmed the agreement, and is probably unlikely to, ahead of it taking place. | The FBI has not confirmed the agreement, and is probably unlikely to, ahead of it taking place. |
| 5.54am GMT | 5.54am GMT |
| 05:54 | 05:54 |
| After another round of prayers, the four occupiers say they are going to try to get some sleep ahead of their scheduled meeting with the FBI at 8am PST Thursday – when they will turn themselves in. | After another round of prayers, the four occupiers say they are going to try to get some sleep ahead of their scheduled meeting with the FBI at 8am PST Thursday – when they will turn themselves in. |
| Fiore confirms she will be on the scene on Thursday morning. | Fiore confirms she will be on the scene on Thursday morning. |
| She says the first amendment and the free press are the reason the four are alive tonight. | She says the first amendment and the free press are the reason the four are alive tonight. |
| 5.31am GMT | 5.31am GMT |
| 05:31 | 05:31 |
| What we know so far | What we know so far |
| We are not surrendering, we’re turning ourselves in … | We are not surrendering, we’re turning ourselves in … |
| It goes against everything we believe in but we’re going to do it. | It goes against everything we believe in but we’re going to do it. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.34am GMT | at 5.34am GMT |
| 5.22am GMT | 5.22am GMT |
| 05:22 | 05:22 |
| 'We're going to turn ourselves in' | 'We're going to turn ourselves in' |
| Sean Anderson repeats that the occupiers intend to “turn ourselves in” on Thursday morning. | Sean Anderson repeats that the occupiers intend to “turn ourselves in” on Thursday morning. |
| In the meantime, he says, they want to return to their camp and sleep for the night, before meeting the FBI (along with Fiore and Franklin Graham, potentially) at the checkpoint: | In the meantime, he says, they want to return to their camp and sleep for the night, before meeting the FBI (along with Fiore and Franklin Graham, potentially) at the checkpoint: |
| I just hope that they keep their word. We’ll keep our word. And we’ll clear this up in the morning. | I just hope that they keep their word. We’ll keep our word. And we’ll clear this up in the morning. |
| Anderson tells Fiore: | Anderson tells Fiore: |
| We are not surrendering, we’re turning ourselves in … | We are not surrendering, we’re turning ourselves in … |
| It goes against everything we believe in but we’re going to do it. | It goes against everything we believe in but we’re going to do it. |
| We’re going to walk one after another, with the flag, and we’re going to turn ourselves in. | We’re going to walk one after another, with the flag, and we’re going to turn ourselves in. |
| 5.17am GMT | 5.17am GMT |
| 05:17 | 05:17 |
| This map shows the layout of the Malheur wildlife refuge. The four occupiers say they are no longer inside the buildings but are camping in the grounds. | This map shows the layout of the Malheur wildlife refuge. The four occupiers say they are no longer inside the buildings but are camping in the grounds. |
| A map of the Wildlife Headquarters including where the last 4 remaining occupiers are camping.#OregonStandoff pic.twitter.com/RGcmoW4Lfc | A map of the Wildlife Headquarters including where the last 4 remaining occupiers are camping.#OregonStandoff pic.twitter.com/RGcmoW4Lfc |
| 5.16am GMT | 5.16am GMT |
| 05:16 | 05:16 |
| Sandy Anderson is back on the phone. She says the media has described them as “armed occupiers and militia”. | Sandy Anderson is back on the phone. She says the media has described them as “armed occupiers and militia”. |
| “They demonised us,” she says. | “They demonised us,” she says. |
| 5.09am GMT | 5.09am GMT |
| 05:09 | 05:09 |
| Occupiers say they will meet FBI at checkpoint at 8am | Occupiers say they will meet FBI at checkpoint at 8am |
| The tone of the occupiers is becoming more conciliatory. | The tone of the occupiers is becoming more conciliatory. |
| Sean Anderson tells Seim that the FBI has offered to meet them at a checkpoint at 8am (PST) on Thursday. | Sean Anderson tells Seim that the FBI has offered to meet them at a checkpoint at 8am (PST) on Thursday. |
| He says the four of them have agreed to leave their weapons in their vehicles before approaching the checkpoint. | He says the four of them have agreed to leave their weapons in their vehicles before approaching the checkpoint. |
| Both Andersons say they want the media to be present at the checkpoint. | Both Andersons say they want the media to be present at the checkpoint. |
| “The world’s going to be watching,” says Seim. “They’re not just going to haul you away into the darkness.” | “The world’s going to be watching,” says Seim. “They’re not just going to haul you away into the darkness.” |
| 5.04am GMT | 5.04am GMT |
| 05:04 | 05:04 |
| The occupiers continue to mull over their options. | The occupiers continue to mull over their options. |
| Sandy Anderson: | Sandy Anderson: |
| I can’t even describe to how wrong it feels to be giving myself into the hands of the enemy. | I can’t even describe to how wrong it feels to be giving myself into the hands of the enemy. |
| Gavin Seim: | Gavin Seim: |
| Don’t – give yourself into the hands of god. | Don’t – give yourself into the hands of god. |
| Anderson says if they are arrested, they will lose their rights, including to vote and to own weapons. | Anderson says if they are arrested, they will lose their rights, including to vote and to own weapons. |
| 5.01am GMT | 5.01am GMT |
| 05:01 | 05:01 |
| What are the charges the four occupiers are facing? Sam Levin explains: | What are the charges the four occupiers are facing? Sam Levin explains: |
| The four holdouts – along with 12 others associated with the standoff who have already been taken into custody – are all facing federal felony charges of conspiracy to impede officers from discharging official duties through the use of force, intimidation or threats. | The four holdouts – along with 12 others associated with the standoff who have already been taken into custody – are all facing federal felony charges of conspiracy to impede officers from discharging official duties through the use of force, intimidation or threats. |
| If convicted, they could face six-year prison sentences, meaning the militia members may end up spending more time behind bars than the two Oregon ranchers whose imprisonment inspired the standoff. | If convicted, they could face six-year prison sentences, meaning the militia members may end up spending more time behind bars than the two Oregon ranchers whose imprisonment inspired the standoff. |
| The charge of impeding government officials is a broad allegation that experts say covers many of the illegal actions that have occurred at the federally protected wildlife sanctuary. | The charge of impeding government officials is a broad allegation that experts say covers many of the illegal actions that have occurred at the federally protected wildlife sanctuary. |
| The basic contention of federal prosecutors is that protesters’ armed occupation blocked government workers from executing their duties at the refuge. | The basic contention of federal prosecutors is that protesters’ armed occupation blocked government workers from executing their duties at the refuge. |
| Prosecutors largely targeted high-profile leaders and militia members and then added the four holdouts to the case in a recent grand jury indictment. | Prosecutors largely targeted high-profile leaders and militia members and then added the four holdouts to the case in a recent grand jury indictment. |
| 4.57am GMT | 4.57am GMT |
| 04:57 | 04:57 |
| Gavin Seim, hosting the broadcast, tells Sandy Anderson that Ammon Bundy and other arrested militia members have been taken out of solitary confinement. | Gavin Seim, hosting the broadcast, tells Sandy Anderson that Ammon Bundy and other arrested militia members have been taken out of solitary confinement. |
| Anderson doesn’t seem impressed – she says the FBI wants to end the occupation at the refuge so they can add extra charges to those already held, and the four who remain. She says they will never see the light of day again. | Anderson doesn’t seem impressed – she says the FBI wants to end the occupation at the refuge so they can add extra charges to those already held, and the four who remain. She says they will never see the light of day again. |
| Seim says retreat isn’t always the end. | Seim says retreat isn’t always the end. |
| “But we will be prisoners,” says Sandy Anderson. | “But we will be prisoners,” says Sandy Anderson. |
| 4.51am GMT | 4.51am GMT |
| 04:51 | 04:51 |
| Analysis: the FBI and outside negotiators | Analysis: the FBI and outside negotiators |
| Andrew Gumbel, who has written extensively about the radical far-right, and authored a book about the Oklahoma City bombing, has been listening to the live broadcast between the occupiers and the proxy mediator, assemblywoman Michele Fiore. Here is his analysis: | Andrew Gumbel, who has written extensively about the radical far-right, and authored a book about the Oklahoma City bombing, has been listening to the live broadcast between the occupiers and the proxy mediator, assemblywoman Michele Fiore. Here is his analysis: |
| The Oregon refuge holdouts may believe that federal law officers “are going to push the envelope … because that’s what they do”, but the FBI has a pretty strong record of using outside negotiators to find a peaceful end to armed standoffs with anti-government radicals. | The Oregon refuge holdouts may believe that federal law officers “are going to push the envelope … because that’s what they do”, but the FBI has a pretty strong record of using outside negotiators to find a peaceful end to armed standoffs with anti-government radicals. |
| Nevada assemblywoman Michele Fiore follows in a long line of freelance mediators who adopt the voice of reason despite a track record of extreme, if not also inflammatory, public statements. | Nevada assemblywoman Michele Fiore follows in a long line of freelance mediators who adopt the voice of reason despite a track record of extreme, if not also inflammatory, public statements. |
| Fiore’s Christmas card last year attracted international attention because it depicted her entire family packing heat. | Fiore’s Christmas card last year attracted international attention because it depicted her entire family packing heat. |
| On the live feed, Fiore cuts an altogether more conciliatory figure as she can be heard encouraging the holdouts to imagine drinking coffee with her when she arrives and talks through the mechanics of avoiding an escalation and working towards a surrender. | On the live feed, Fiore cuts an altogether more conciliatory figure as she can be heard encouraging the holdouts to imagine drinking coffee with her when she arrives and talks through the mechanics of avoiding an escalation and working towards a surrender. |
| “I need you to stay alive,” she said repeatedly. “I can’t have you dying because I never got to hug you.” | “I need you to stay alive,” she said repeatedly. “I can’t have you dying because I never got to hug you.” |
| True, no previous mediator’s efforts may have been captured live and heard by up to 60,000 people. But if the mix of anti-government paranoia, anger, semi-coherent historical analysis of the Founders facing the “lawless courts”, talk of dying, and repeated prayer breaks comes across as bizarre, it is far from unprecedented. | True, no previous mediator’s efforts may have been captured live and heard by up to 60,000 people. But if the mix of anti-government paranoia, anger, semi-coherent historical analysis of the Founders facing the “lawless courts”, talk of dying, and repeated prayer breaks comes across as bizarre, it is far from unprecedented. |
| With the glaring exception of the 1993 siege outside Waco, Texas, which ended with a horrific fire that killed several dozen members of the Branch Davidian religious sect, the FBI has generally been effective in making a tactical show of strength but holding back on using it while outsiders talk armed militants down from their determination to die for the cause. | With the glaring exception of the 1993 siege outside Waco, Texas, which ended with a horrific fire that killed several dozen members of the Branch Davidian religious sect, the FBI has generally been effective in making a tactical show of strength but holding back on using it while outsiders talk armed militants down from their determination to die for the cause. |
| In 1985, the Bureau called on a slightly-built former Mennonite preacher to end a siege in Arkansas around the heavily armed militant group, the Covenant, the Sword, and the Arm of the Lord, and arrest the group’s leader, Jim Ellison without a shot being fired. | In 1985, the Bureau called on a slightly-built former Mennonite preacher to end a siege in Arkansas around the heavily armed militant group, the Covenant, the Sword, and the Arm of the Lord, and arrest the group’s leader, Jim Ellison without a shot being fired. |
| Rev Robert Millar – who later offered refuge to a string of far-right bankrobbers and murderers at a religious community he ran in eastern Oklahoma – was “dressed as if a pretty widow had invited him to an ice cream social”, according to the head of the FBI’s hostage rescue team, but he got the job done. | Rev Robert Millar – who later offered refuge to a string of far-right bankrobbers and murderers at a religious community he ran in eastern Oklahoma – was “dressed as if a pretty widow had invited him to an ice cream social”, according to the head of the FBI’s hostage rescue team, but he got the job done. |
| Seven years later, in Ruby Ridge, Idaho, it was the far-right activist Bo Gritz who brokered a hard-won peace after a days-long shoot-out in which a US Marshal and two members of the survivalist Weaver family were killed. | Seven years later, in Ruby Ridge, Idaho, it was the far-right activist Bo Gritz who brokered a hard-won peace after a days-long shoot-out in which a US Marshal and two members of the survivalist Weaver family were killed. |
| In 1996, the most prominent lawyer on the far right, Kirk Lyons, and his sidekick Dave Hollaway worked alongside FBI negotiators to end a long standoffs with the Montana Freemen. Hollaway later said he was grateful that the FBI let reason prevail instead of letting loose its “Sturmabteilung”. | In 1996, the most prominent lawyer on the far right, Kirk Lyons, and his sidekick Dave Hollaway worked alongside FBI negotiators to end a long standoffs with the Montana Freemen. Hollaway later said he was grateful that the FBI let reason prevail instead of letting loose its “Sturmabteilung”. |
| In every case, those under siege were disinclined to trust the feds any further than they could spit. Like Sean and Sandy Anderson, they suspected the FBI of “sneaky tactics” and wanting to kill them all. | In every case, those under siege were disinclined to trust the feds any further than they could spit. Like Sean and Sandy Anderson, they suspected the FBI of “sneaky tactics” and wanting to kill them all. |
| It remains to be seen whether the live feed is viewed as a help or a hindrance in bringing the tension to a happy conclusion. | It remains to be seen whether the live feed is viewed as a help or a hindrance in bringing the tension to a happy conclusion. |
| But Fiore certainly sought to turn it to her advantage. “Transparency is your shield, do you understand that?” she said at one point. “Everyone is watching.” | But Fiore certainly sought to turn it to her advantage. “Transparency is your shield, do you understand that?” she said at one point. “Everyone is watching.” |
| “And God is watching,” Sean Anderson interjected. | “And God is watching,” Sean Anderson interjected. |
| “Yes,” she replied. “God is watching.” | “Yes,” she replied. “God is watching.” |
| 4.43am GMT | 4.43am GMT |
| 04:43 | 04:43 |
| Fiore tells the occupiers that she has “gotten word from the FBI” that agents will not make a move on them tonight (Wednesday). | Fiore tells the occupiers that she has “gotten word from the FBI” that agents will not make a move on them tonight (Wednesday). |
| Sean Anderson wants the FBI negotiator – referred to as Mark – to repeat that pledge over a loudspeaker so they can hear it directly. | Sean Anderson wants the FBI negotiator – referred to as Mark – to repeat that pledge over a loudspeaker so they can hear it directly. |
| Fiore says she has been told negotiations will restart 8am Thursday (PST). She wants the occupiers to get some sleep. | Fiore says she has been told negotiations will restart 8am Thursday (PST). She wants the occupiers to get some sleep. |
| We haven’t heard anything from the FBI to confirm this. | We haven’t heard anything from the FBI to confirm this. |
| 4.35am GMT | 4.35am GMT |
| 04:35 | 04:35 |
| After a brief spell when the phone connection was lost, the four occupiers are back in the live broadcast. | After a brief spell when the phone connection was lost, the four occupiers are back in the live broadcast. |
| They say they are no longer inside the refuge building but are camping in the grounds. | They say they are no longer inside the refuge building but are camping in the grounds. |
| Sean Anderson says they have made “a lot of sacrifices”, going to the bathroom outside and forgoing showers. | Sean Anderson says they have made “a lot of sacrifices”, going to the bathroom outside and forgoing showers. |
| He then turns his ire on mental health checks for gun purchase, saying the government – via Obamacare – is going to take firearms away from people who are depressed. | He then turns his ire on mental health checks for gun purchase, saying the government – via Obamacare – is going to take firearms away from people who are depressed. |
| Fiore and the live stream host, activist Gavin Seim, are encouraging this line of discussion. “We need more folk to see this,” Fiore tells them. | Fiore and the live stream host, activist Gavin Seim, are encouraging this line of discussion. “We need more folk to see this,” Fiore tells them. |
| 4.28am GMT | 4.28am GMT |
| 04:28 | 04:28 |
| Who is Michele Fiore? | Who is Michele Fiore? |
| Julia Carrie Wong | 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. | 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. | 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”. | 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. | 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 | 4.23am GMT |
| 04:23 | 04:23 |
| 4.20am GMT | 4.20am GMT |
| 04:20 | 04:20 |
| Paul Lewis | 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. | 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. | “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. | “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. | 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.” | 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. | He lit the heater. |
| 4.17am GMT | 4.17am GMT |
| 04:17 | 04:17 |
| The fourth occupier is Jeff Banta – here’s some background on him, courtesy of AP: | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | “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. | 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.” | “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. | 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”. | 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 | 4.08am GMT |
| 04:08 | 04:08 |
| The charges against the four occupiers | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | The four remaining occupiers have said they refuse to leave unless they have assurances they would not face charges. |
| 4.02am GMT | 4.02am GMT |
| 04:02 | 04:02 |
| More vehicles are approaching the refuge, the occupiers are saying. | More vehicles are approaching the refuge, the occupiers are saying. |
| They broke through our barricades, they object. | 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 |