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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2016/feb/11/oregon-standoff-militia-fbi-negotiations-live-coverage-oregon-malheur-wildlife-refuge
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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Oregon militia standoff: holdouts agree to stand down after YouTube negotiations – live | Oregon militia standoff: holdouts agree to stand down after YouTube negotiations – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.06pm GMT | |
| 16:06 | |
| Husband and wife Sean and Sandy Anderson are on the live-stream with assemblywoman Michele Fiore. “I’m sitting with [the FBI] right now,” Fiore said. | |
| But the occupiers were expressing doubts that the standoff would not resolve peacefully. “We pray the FBI holds their end,” Sandy said. “They’ve betrayed us so much ... We don’t trust a thing they say.” | |
| Fiore said: “Let’s just all stay calm ... I want everybody to keep calm heads.” | |
| 3.57pm GMT | |
| 15:57 | |
| Michele Fiore arriving to refuge | |
| Michele Fiore, the assemblywoman who is trying to broker negotiations, is now on another live-stream with activist Gavin Seim on YouTube. Seim is talking to occupier Sean Anderson, who confirms plans to meet Fiore and surrender. He said he and his wife, Sandy, will leave together: | |
| “Myself and Sandy are going to go out holding hands and a flag,” Sean said. | |
| “We’re coming to the checkpoint,” Fiore said. | |
| 3.49pm GMT | |
| 15:49 | |
| Cliven Bundy is scheduled to appear in federal court at 1.30pm in Portland, Oregon Public Broadcasting reports. Bailey Logue, Cliven’s 24-year-old daughter, told the Guardian this morning that the family has not yet spoken to Cliven and has no information about his charges. But she said the Bundys were fired up and would not let the arrest prevent them from continuing to fight the government. Logue said: | |
| Anytime anyone speaks out against the federal government, we are taken down, put into jail and detained ... But we’re not backing down, and this is not going to make us any weaker at all. This is only making us stronger. | |
| 3.31pm GMT | 3.31pm GMT |
| 15:31 | 15:31 |
| Mike Arnold, Ammon Bundy’s attorney who drove from Portland last night with assemblywoman Michele Fiore to help with negotiations this morning, has confirmed by phone this morning that he’s still moving forward with plans. | Mike Arnold, Ammon Bundy’s attorney who drove from Portland last night with assemblywoman Michele Fiore to help with negotiations this morning, has confirmed by phone this morning that he’s still moving forward with plans. |
| He declined to say where they were or if they were still targeting an 8am meeting: | He declined to say where they were or if they were still targeting an 8am meeting: |
| We’re busy working ... We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a peaceful resolution, and I’m hopeful that that’s gonna happen. | We’re busy working ... We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a peaceful resolution, and I’m hopeful that that’s gonna happen. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.49pm GMT | |
| 3.01pm GMT | 3.01pm GMT |
| 15:01 | 15:01 |
| It’s been 41 days since a peaceful protest in nearby Burns, Oregon developed into an armed standoff at the Malheur wildlife refuge. Demonstrators were protesting the conviction of two local ranchers on arson charges, which had angered the ranchers who also felt the incident was reflective of their broad concerns about having land under federal government control. | It’s been 41 days since a peaceful protest in nearby Burns, Oregon developed into an armed standoff at the Malheur wildlife refuge. Demonstrators were protesting the conviction of two local ranchers on arson charges, which had angered the ranchers who also felt the incident was reflective of their broad concerns about having land under federal government control. |
| Since then, one protester has died and eight others were arrested in the ongoing standoff. | Since then, one protester has died and eight others were arrested in the ongoing standoff. |
| Looking for more background on the protest? Here’s an explainer from the Guardian’s Mark Tran: | Looking for more background on the protest? Here’s an explainer from the Guardian’s Mark Tran: |
| Related: Oregon militia explainer: background to the standoff | Related: Oregon militia explainer: background to the standoff |
| 2.49pm GMT | 2.49pm GMT |
| 14:49 | 14:49 |
| A key mediator in last night’s negotiations was Michele Fiore, a Nevada assemblywoman. She is set to greet the occupiers when they surrender at 8am PT. | A key mediator in last night’s negotiations was Michele Fiore, a Nevada assemblywoman. She is set to greet the occupiers when they surrender at 8am PT. |
| Calls between her and the militia were broadcast live during the Wednesday night negotiation. | Calls between her and the militia were broadcast live during the Wednesday night negotiation. |
| “We cannot afford more bloodshed,” she told the agitated protesters. “I’m willing to negotiate with the FBI for a peaceful resolution.” | “We cannot afford more bloodshed,” she told the agitated protesters. “I’m willing to negotiate with the FBI for a peaceful resolution.” |
| But who is Michele Fiore? The Guardian’s Julia Carrie Wong has a report on what we know about the pro-gun affiliate of presidential hopeful Ted Cruz: | But who is Michele Fiore? The Guardian’s Julia Carrie Wong has a report on what we know about the pro-gun affiliate of presidential hopeful Ted Cruz: |
| 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 |
| Senator Ted Cruz our next President will be joining us at 9am on @720KDWN Don't miss this one pic.twitter.com/svaqDi2uEy | Senator Ted Cruz our next President will be joining us at 9am on @720KDWN Don't miss this one pic.twitter.com/svaqDi2uEy |
| 2.37pm GMT | 2.37pm GMT |
| 14:37 | 14:37 |
| The FBI’s Portland division released a statement on Wednesday night in response to the federal agency’s decision to move in on the occupation. | The FBI’s Portland division released a statement on Wednesday night in response to the federal agency’s decision to move in on the occupation. |
| Agents moved in after one of the occupiers rode an ATV outside the perimeter put in place by the militia, the FBI said. An agent tried to speak with the driver, who returned to the refugee encampment at “a high rate of speed,” the agency said. | Agents moved in after one of the occupiers rode an ATV outside the perimeter put in place by the militia, the FBI said. An agent tried to speak with the driver, who returned to the refugee encampment at “a high rate of speed,” the agency said. |
| Agents were then stationed at the barricades. | Agents were then stationed at the barricades. |
| FBI special agent Greg Bretzing said in a statement: | FBI special agent Greg Bretzing said in a statement: |
| 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. |
| 2.26pm GMT | 2.26pm GMT |
| 14:26 | 14:26 |
| Cliven Bundy, the Nevada rancher who led a standoff with the government in 2014, was arrested in Portland on Wednesday night by the FBI. He was booked in a Portland jail at 10:54pm on Wednesday, according to the Multnomah county sheriff’s office. | Cliven Bundy, the Nevada rancher who led a standoff with the government in 2014, was arrested in Portland on Wednesday night by the FBI. He was booked in a Portland jail at 10:54pm on Wednesday, according to the Multnomah county sheriff’s office. |
| His two sons, Ammon and Ryan, were arrested late last month in connection with the Oregon standoff following a firefight with law enforcement. The occupation’s spokesman, LaVoy Finicum, was killed in the shooting. | His two sons, Ammon and Ryan, were arrested late last month in connection with the Oregon standoff following a firefight with law enforcement. The occupation’s spokesman, LaVoy Finicum, was killed in the shooting. |
| Bundy, 74, is being held on charges related to his Nevada standoff, according to the Bundy Ranch Facebook page. | Bundy, 74, is being held on charges related to his Nevada standoff, according to the Bundy Ranch Facebook page. |
| Bundy’s Nevada showdown with the US Bureau of Land Management in 2014 ended after he was joined by armed supporters. He owes the federal agency $1m in fees and penalties for grazing on federal land. | |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.02pm GMT | |
| 2.13pm GMT | 2.13pm GMT |
| 14:13 | 14:13 |
| The Guardian’s Sam Levin watched the negotiations on YouTube last night and has been covering the standoff from the West coast. His report on the militia’s frantic calls and discussions: | The Guardian’s Sam Levin watched the negotiations on YouTube last night and has been covering the standoff from the West coast. His report on the militia’s frantic calls and discussions: |
| Within minutes, listeners across the country were tuning into the chaotic live-stream, listening to the dramatic events unfold. | Within minutes, listeners across the country were tuning into the chaotic live-stream, listening to the dramatic events unfold. |
| Seim’s phone call with the occupiers, broadcast live, provided a dramatic and at times surreal window into the deliberations ongoing at the site, as the militia debated the merits of surrender. At times, they appeared bordering on panic and hysteria, convinced federal agents were about to ambush them. | Seim’s phone call with the occupiers, broadcast live, provided a dramatic and at times surreal window into the deliberations ongoing at the site, as the militia debated the merits of surrender. At times, they appeared bordering on panic and hysteria, convinced federal agents were about to ambush them. |
| “The black hawks are here and they’re going to kill us,” said one man at the refuge, after they heard helicopters circling above. “If they fire first, my weapon is in reach and I’m going to take them with me.” | “The black hawks are here and they’re going to kill us,” said one man at the refuge, after they heard helicopters circling above. “If they fire first, my weapon is in reach and I’m going to take them with me.” |
| The Andersons, a husband and wife from Riggins, Idaho, discussed whether they should leave the occupation. | The Andersons, a husband and wife from Riggins, Idaho, discussed whether they should leave the occupation. |
| “They’re just looking for a reason to kill us,” Sean Anderson declared early on. “Please don’t let us die in vain tonight,” added his wife, Sandy, one of the other four militia members still on the site. | “They’re just looking for a reason to kill us,” Sean Anderson declared early on. “Please don’t let us die in vain tonight,” added his wife, Sandy, one of the other four militia members still on the site. |
| Related: Oregon militia standoff: promise of surrender follows dramatic night of negotiations | Related: Oregon militia standoff: promise of surrender follows dramatic night of negotiations |
| 2.03pm GMT | 2.03pm GMT |
| 14:03 | 14:03 |
| A 41-day-long standoff in Oregon is expected to end on Thursday after a night of frantic negotiations between the remaining armed militia at Malheur national wildlife refuge and the FBI. | A 41-day-long standoff in Oregon is expected to end on Thursday after a night of frantic negotiations between the remaining armed militia at Malheur national wildlife refuge and the FBI. |
| Negotiations between the militia members and law enforcement were broadcast live last night on YouTube from the refuge near Burns, Oregon as the FBI closed in on the compound. The militia have occupied the refuge since 2 January, in a dispute over the use of federal land. | Negotiations between the militia members and law enforcement were broadcast live last night on YouTube from the refuge near Burns, Oregon as the FBI closed in on the compound. The militia have occupied the refuge since 2 January, in a dispute over the use of federal land. |
| Late on Wednesday, the Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy was arrested en route to Burns. His standoff with the federal government in 2014 inspired the Oregon occupation, which his two sons, Ammon and Ryan, have supported. They were arrested in connection to the occupation last month. | Late on Wednesday, the Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy was arrested en route to Burns. His standoff with the federal government in 2014 inspired the Oregon occupation, which his two sons, Ammon and Ryan, have supported. They were arrested in connection to the occupation last month. |
| After hours of negotiations that had, at one point, an audience of more than 60,000 people, the four remaining militia members at the refuge agreed to stand down. They said they would wait to leave until 8am PT Thursday morning, as part of an agreement that they would be met by television cameras, the reverend Franklin Graham and Nevada politician Michele Fiore, a mediator in Wednesday night’s negotiations. | After hours of negotiations that had, at one point, an audience of more than 60,000 people, the four remaining militia members at the refuge agreed to stand down. They said they would wait to leave until 8am PT Thursday morning, as part of an agreement that they would be met by television cameras, the reverend Franklin Graham and Nevada politician Michele Fiore, a mediator in Wednesday night’s negotiations. |
| We’ll provide live updates on the situation as it develops, throughout the day. | We’ll provide live updates on the situation as it develops, throughout the day. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.15pm GMT | at 2.15pm GMT |