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Government Deals Huge Blow To Oregon Freedom Fighters
- Several key members of the Oregon militia occupation of a national wildlife refuge were pulled over on Tuesday, resulting in the death of LaVoy Finicum and the arrest of 5 others, including Ammon and Ryan Bundy.
- Finicum was the group's spokesman, and was outspoken about not going to jail, some reports claim that he had his hands up when he was shot.
- 3 others were arrested on the day, 2 in Burns and 1 in Arizona.
- With militiamen still in the refuge, the occupation and protest are still going on, it is just unclear what the fallout of this will be.
(CNN) The weeks-long armed occupation of a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon suffered two major blows when protest leader Ammon Bundy was arrested and another key figure was killed.
Bundy and several fellow occupiers were pulled over Tuesday on Highway 395, a law enforcement official said. According to The Oregonian, they were headed to the city of John Day, where they planned to participate in a community meeting set up by local residents.
Everyone obeyed orders to surrender except two people: LaVoy Finicum and Bundy's brother, Ryan Bundy, the official told CNN.
Shots were fired, but it's unclear who fired first, the source said. Ryan Bundy was wounded, and Finicum died.
Related:More Militias Should Hold Government Accountable
With their leader Ammon Bundy in police custody and their spokesman, Finicum, dead, it's unclear if the remaining occupiers will dig in their heels at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, which they have occupied for 26 days — or if their resolve will wane.
Occupiers: ‘A Patriot has Fallen'
Woman says she was feet away when shots killed Oregon occupier LaVoy Finicum https://t.co/ac4TrGF0My pic.twitter.com/xOb4vpQndw
— CNN (@CNN) February 2, 2016
Finicum was one of the most outspoken occupiers who took over the refuge near Burns on January 2 to protest federal land policies.
Earlier this month, the father of 11 told CNN he doesn't want to die — but would never go behind bars.
“I'm just not going to prison,” Finicum said. “Look at the stars. There's no way I'm going to sit in a concrete cell where I can't see the stars and roll out my bedroll on the ground. That's just not going to happen. I want to be able to get up in the morning and throw my saddle on my horse and go check on my cows. It's OK. I've lived a good life. God's been gracious to me.”
News of Finicum's death quickly reached the protesters still holed up at the refuge.
“It appears that America was fired upon by our government,” the occupiers said on the Bundy Ranch Facebook page. “One of liberty's finest patriots is fallen. He will not go silent into eternity.”
The occupiers also claimed Finicum had his hands in the air when he was shot.
Nevada Assemblywoman Michele Fiore said Ammon Bundy called his wife, Lisa Bundy, from the back of a police car on Tuesday night and said Finicum was cooperating with police when he was shot, according to The Oregonian. Fiore has been a vocal supporter of the Bundy family.
Fiore's account couldn't be independently corroborated. A representative from the Joint Information Command Center in Harney County said authorities had no comment on the claim that Finicum had his hands up. He said more information would be released Wednesday.
Bundy's father, controversial Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, said Finicum died supporting his beliefs.
“He was a wonderful man,” he told CNN affiliate KTNV.
“He was a student of the Constitution. He was interested in freedom, and I think he gave his life where he felt it was best.”
The Arrests
“I'm gonna not spend my days in a cell.” – LaVoy Finicum speaking days before he was killed during an FBI operation.https://t.co/7MgatcnRDn
— AJ+ (@ajplus) January 30, 2016
In all, police arrested eight people Tuesday linked to the wildlife refuge takeover: five in the traffic stop on Highway 395; two others in Burns; and one in Arizona.
The five arrested at the traffic stop were Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy, Brian Cavalier, Shawna Cox and Ryan Waylen Payne.
The two arrested in Burns were Joseph Donald O'Shaughnessy and Peter Santilli.
And protester Jon Ritzheimer, who previously made headlines for leading an anti-Islam protest in Arizona, turned himself into police in Peoria, Arizona, FBI spokesman Kurt Remus said.
All eight people arrested face a federal felony charge of conspiracy to impede officers of the United States from discharging their official duties through the use of force, intimidation or threats, the FBI and Oregon State Police said.
The Occupation
Ammon Bundy and others started out protesting the sentencing of Dwight Hammond and his son Steven, ranchers who were convicted of arson on federal lands in Oregon.
But a January 2 march supporting the Hammonds led to the armed occupation of the refuge, with protesters decrying what they call government overreach when it comes to federal lands.
Since then, the occupiers have turned the refuge into their own — changing the sign in the front and tearing down a fence they claimed harmed the livelihood of a rancher. But that rancher told The Oregonian he didn't ask the occupiers to tear down the public fence — in fact, he was upset by it.
Ammon Bundy has said that while the armed protesters don't want violence, they would be ready to defend themselves if necessary.
But with the leader arrested, it's not clear what will happen next.
On Tuesday night, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown stressed that the occupation at the refuge was not over.
“The situation in Harney County continues to be the subject of a federal investigation that is in progress,” she said. “My highest priority is the safety of all Oregonians and their communities. I ask for patience as officials continue pursuit of a swift and peaceful resolution.”
CNN's Jason Kravarik, Shane Deitert, Dana Ford, Dave Alsup, Dottie Evans, Keith Allen, Tina Burnside and Joshua Gaynor contributed to this report.
FBI shares the actual video of the shooting, watch it here but warning the video contains images that could be disturbing:
By Evan Perez and Holly Yan, CNN
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Maureen A Absten RN says:
The government & big business is profiting while poisoning all of us & future generations.
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KayO says:
It’s time to take the federal government’s overreach to task. For all who have not seen them, please invest in 2 DVDs that reveal the truth about who and what is coming against our great nation: Agenda 1 Grinding America Down and Agenda 2 Masters of Deceit. If we love life, country, family and freedom, we have to be informed and bring the truth into the light.
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Gregory Rose says:
They just created the spark that started the Fire! The people have had enough of evil Gov we must take our country Back the constution states when ever the gov gets out of control it is are duty to replace that gov with a constution loving one! This is the shot heard around the world! God Bless the man & His family that was killed! More lives will be lost in this fight for freedom! What kinda place will are kids live in if we dont fight for their future!
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G. Hombs says:
You need to read the Constitution before you quote it. It does not say that. The Declaration of Independence says that. However, I think the founders of this country should have incorporated the Declaration of Independence into the Constitution as an introduction or an appendix because it is the basis of much of what went into the Constitution. For instance, the Second Amendment was not put there so people could hunt. It was put there because the founders realized that if they had not had arms the American Revolution could never have happened and the U. S. would still be a European colony, or more likely a Nazi German colony.
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J. Liebsc h says:
How much more unrest and abuses of our Constitution with Obama cause? This man has caused the death of our beloved country and the best thing that can happen is for him to go to Iran where he;ll be welcomed. I don’t understand why our law enforcement officials are playing this game, don’t they understand they’re playing into Obama’s hands?
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phyllis says:
I agree with the patriots! The shooting of two patriots and murder of one, just shows how far this government will go to stop a lawful assembly! The constitution was written over two hundred years ago, but the words “to protect against a tyrranical government” still ring true today; if not more so!
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The protestors in Ferguson, Baltimore and the Wall Street idiots committed violence, arson, theft and mayhem with little interference from law enforcement. But peaceful, patriotic Americans exercising their first and second Amendment Rights and going about their business on a public roadway are met with deadly force, ambushed, gunned down and murdered with no excuse.
And some wonder why we not only distrust this government but hate it and it’s abuse of it’s citizens. Did many doubt that the feds would committ another ‘Waco’ before it was over? And why the reticence on the part of the news outlets to do indepth reporting/coverage?
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Stanley says:
Federal entities have no right denying access to any flesh and blood person on public properties, including corporations which have guard shacks to restrict access to same.
It is the many secrets of public officials and secret agreements they enact that threaten the fabric of our country.
Congress defined corporations as “quasi public entities” which thereby come under the jurisdiction of Congress.
That was back in 1913, by Congressman Lafferty. Don’t remember his first name… -
Jerry Felton says:
False leading the group by wanting to talk with plans to arrest them instead. And the shooting of the rancher and saying he was wanted by the Government just does not jive. To me it is lying to cover up their mistake.
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Allen Boyles says:
I send my prayers to you all and I am basically on your side . But remember, this is the prison of the devil we are living in. he is the prince of the power of the air, according to the Bible. he is about to be thrown into the pit and is making all the fuss he can before that happens. So we should be in heavy-duty prayer against this spiritual war. If you do not understand, then ask JESUS CHRIST into your heart and HE will show you HIS guidance and direction for your new life. Please ask HIM for your salvation.
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CK says:
This is Ruby Ridge all over again. These were trumped up charges by the FBI so they could harass the protesters. When do they (the FBI) get investigated?
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DockyWocky says:
This is a dangerous precedent -shooting the mouthpiece for the band is more like a commie trick than a state police function. This is going to get worse. Te shooter, who shot Lavoy in the face needs to be identified.
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cindy says:
it was uncalled for. the government is overstepping there bounds. they weren’t hurting anyone, if the authorities would of ignored them, after awhile they would of given up, to the cause. now it looks like if you do not agree with the government, you will be killed..
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Gregory Rose: Your comments are spot on. Now, how do we start the ball rolling? This Vet who is 62 years old and disabled, not a “disabled vet” there is a difference, cannot do it alone. I don’t even know how or where to start. Lots of people have the rhetoric but nothing else.
Steve Lindhurst
[email protected] -
An says:
We as Americans don’t birds potassic with guns . grievances should be protestant in a court of law.
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J. R. says:
There was nothing involved in this issue worth taking a life. The U.S. government should be ashamed of itself. I am former law enforcement and they should have set up a perimeter. They should have stopped all water food and power to the facility, and wait it out. If fired upon, then the police have the right to protect themselves. This act by law enforcement will act as a catalyst for others to act. To be honest, several federal agencies such as the BLM, US Fish and Wildlife, the EPA and others have been very oppressive to many ranchers with over reaching regulations regarding the use and maintenance of their land. Our government does not understand in some instances that they work for the people of this country.
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Someone says:
You do not have a government anymore…………what you have is a corrupt form of dictatorship , with those in
power able to do as they please and get away with murder…….as an example, look at Hillary Clinton, Obama and
most all of the congressional members…. YOU do as they say or you will be murdered or jailed on some trumped up
charge……..Its ok for blacks to completely burn a town down and riot (Baltimore, or Ferguson) but its not ok for farmers to assemble to show their displeasure with their treatment… -
Ted Lewis says:
Where have you been? Following Clinton’s website? Understands in some instances they work for the people of the country? Another brain washed person! So you will understand. THEY WORK FOR US AT ALL TIMES! My and your tax dollars pay their salaries! You finish school? But under Jareer Abeed? They are paid killers! Can do anything they want and not have to worry about it! Wake up man!
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Nathan Thom says:
The U.S. Government should not own more than a quarter of the land of the U.S. You guys are in the right but they call you thugs while the protesters of Occupy Wall Street and at Fergusson and Baltimore are treated as heros when they are the real thugs.
Nathan-
Viperkat says:
You are not correct, Nathan. The Constitution clearly describes what the Government can, and cannot, own. The BLM is a Land Management entity and cannot make law, nor can it make regulations that the Congress can then rule on and approve as appropriate. The BLM does not own anything, it is supposed to manage State Lands, belonging to the State, not the Fed.
All this episode has done is to inflame the free people’s Militias, and the freedom loving public. According to the media, this shooting was originally a traffic stop… no warrants were issued. The “Officials” needed to make an example… well, they did. The next time, it will be war, and I’m sure there are ample, well educated and well armed citizens that will not let this ever happen again.
And for those that would sponsor Judges, law enforcement, Federal Agencies, who act in the benefit of over-reaching Corporate, Political entities, be aware that when the media prints your names, you will be remembered.
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Sherry Sonlar says:
Where is the constitutional right of the federal government to massive land ownership?
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james madison says:
there is no constitution we have been under martial law since 1932 u don’t belive me look at flags in court rooms with yellow on them fringe they are milatry flags same flag in city halls county commission chambers gouvenor s office how much more tryannery do we have see to wake up the rest of the story is going to be bloody and deadly or freedomless or imprisonment for anyone calling them tryants
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Wesley Griffin says:
I remember Ruby ridge, Waco, and a few other things that were handled by the FBI . Soon it WILL be a federal offence to protest or organize a demonstration in this country without being labeled a terr#rist . It’s already here if you talk to a few law enforce people ( DHS ).
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Wesley Griffin says:
I remember Ruby ridge, Waco, and a few other things that were handled by the FBI . Soon it WILL be a federal offence to protest or organize a demonstration in this country without being labeled a terr#rist . It’s already here if you talk to a few law enforce people ( DHS ).
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Richard says:
Once again the Government Officers FBI and the rest are out of control. Where is OBAMA ?? Don’t “White Lives Matter” ? I bet if these ranchers were “BLACK”, … OBAMA would have already intervened !!! He Probably would have brought the BEER !!! LOL !
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Elaine Morris says:
LEAVE THE RANCHERS ALONE! They are killing and ruining the wrong people.
Clinton-Sells Uranium From Ranches to Russians to Fund Presidential Campaign
Read more at:
http://freedomoutpost.com/2016/01/clinton-is-selling-uranium-from-bundy-and-hammond-ranches-to-russians-to-fund-presidential-campaign/#xkD26JGJ6XeZFzeX.99 -
Diane Rautio says:
Farmers have had the shaft for decades now. This is about the last straw for a “free” country!
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Edward says:
The government has proven that they have control of Citizens over Citizens .You question the governments actions and Citizen puppets will kill you. This does not happen in a democracy where the people have the right to object to unfair laws or matters of disagreement.
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robert says:
this is one more waco, Harry reid is trying another end run around the system to profit from his position.these FEDS need to face a firing squad for murder.
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Billy Sims says:
I don’t see this as the end, but only the beginning, the feels that they have won, just thing that they awaken the sleeping giant, but we will see.
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CLIFF HOLLOWAY says:
WE HAVE A CONSTITUTION WHICH PROHIBITS THIS TYPE OF MURDER ON IT’S CITIZENS.
THE CRIME OF MURDER IS PUNISHABLE BY DEATH THE LAST TIME I CHECKED. -
Joseph says:
I work for the D.O.D and the D.O.J for 24 yr. And the government has gotten to big and to powerful to take people of the United States and govern them of their respective rights.
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Nelson says:
this is all about Uranium , the Clinton gave to the Russians, as Pay off for money to their Foundation. they wanted the Bundy & Hammond Ranches. the FBI no longer , works
for the Citizens..only OBAMA & his Cronies. -
Rev. Dr. Ronald L. Sims says:
Those within the Government have become DICTATORS, and are denying us our Rights as written in the U.S.Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
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Gerald says:
There is no real difference between the actions of our Federal government of today than the actions of King George 230 years ago – tyrannical. Many of the grievances in the Declaration of Independence apply today. We have too many un-elected bureaucrats interfering with our God given natural rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
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Craig says:
The Govt is wrong to imprison the Hammonds for a second time. (the fifth amendment?) It appears the Govt has assassinated one of the protestors. (we don’t have all the facts yet) This sets off a prairie fire of support for the protest movement!
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Rodney Baker says:
I can find no information from people who were there that there was a legitimate reason for the so-called traffic stop, nor any witness accounts that allege that any member of the occupiers pulled a gun.
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ralph says:
if our govt. is supporting iran what else can we expect from it? we need a God fearing president and congress
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Mark says:
These folks have the makings of legitimate protesters. Until we have the full story from a totally unbiased source, I’ll hold any further thoughts.
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Mark says:
I’m not in favor of our current administration, nor have I been truly happy with any since I made voting age back in 1977. This one has some serious issues (to put it lightly).
These folks were not “Farmers”. I haven’t seen a tractor or plow in any of the news reports, be they left or right.
It all depends on which news feed a person subscribes to as to whether these folks were lawbreakers, patriots, armed vigilantes, or whatever.
It seems like we as the public can’t get a totally unbiased report on anything going on in the world. Until I can get a full set of totally unbiased (unclouded by left or right) facts I’m going to hold my opinions.
Oh, but wait! Neither side wants the public to …..Never mind.
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Jeremy Fox says:
Where is the FBI video? Oh, their camcorders “weren’t working…”? Report from one of the women in the car is that Finicum had his hands up and was attempting to talk with the fbi ambushers, when one of them shot him in the face. He was dead on the ground, with his hands still up, when they pumped several more rounds into him and shot up the car. Where is the car? Will it disappear, like the front door of the Waco “compound” did? Which one of the cowardly fbi face-shooting assassins fired the shot? Did they call Lon Hourouci out of retirement to repeat the technique of his murder of Vicki Weaver, or is he merely training a new crop of cowards? Stay tuned, maybe we’ll be treated to an award ceremony for the shooter…
…and shame on the local sheriff and any other officials who were cheering on government good violence. -
Jim says:
to me! theres been too much of this ! Govt intervention between the Public & Laws?–as WE the PEOPLE! –don*t really mean all that MUCH!–to Our GOVT!– RUBY RIDGE–WACO–& Now THIS! None should have HAPPENED!–AMEN!
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Larry Crabtree says:
Those guys are just glorified “Welfare Queens.” Listen, I’m a Libertarian and against government overreach, but those farmers expect free use of federal land for their own private commercial purposes. Hey! That land’s as much mine as theirs. Pay for its use; don’t destroy it! And, get off the government’s teet!
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alvin says:
time and time again the fed. gov. has and will betray the america people it is time to stress states right which was assaulted by Mr. Lincoln by the civil war it was fought over unfair taxs not slavery check it out for youselfs
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Frankie says:
The government was going ti make the move on them sooner or later and they are not going to worry about someone getting killed.
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martha says:
stopped for no reason unarmed hands up murdered . white lives matter father of 11. no shots fired in rioting in Baltimore Md many Police disabled from injuries burned looted
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