Members of the armed militia that occupy federal lands in Oregon admitted that they are hiring ranchers to stop paying the federal government. These protest leaders survey every land to extend their message of defiance against the law.
Ammon Bundy together with other militia leaders from the Malheur national wildlife refuge went to Crane to have a meeting with the ranchers. They are set to talk about strategy and on how to persuade others to join their stand against the federal government. LaVoy Finicum, the militia spokesperson, said that their actions are going to be felt across the country, and they are just starting.
A stand against federal land-use regulations and recent imprisonment of two ranchers from Harvey County are among the reasons why they are doing the movement. Among these actions taken by the militia are protest tactics, destruction of government property and now they are calling on ranchers not to follow their grazing contracts with the US Land Bureau. In Harney County, the US government handles around 73% of the land and ranchers are required to pay cattle-grazing rights on public property as reported by Oregon Live.
According to The Guardian, the activist group which are made up of anti-government personalities wants to grab the control of public lands in Harney County. This idea is also supported by some ranchers. But it is still yet to be seen if these occupiers can persuade all the other ranchers to follow their lead and stop paying the government also.
Environmental activists across Oregon are doing rallies to protest the move made by these militiamen and residents from Harney County demand Bundy and his followers to leave the refuge. Federal and local enforcers have taken a passive approach to avoid any violent confrontation the Vox said.
The militia leaders have not divulged any details on when and how they will end their protest, but they declared that they will stand their ground until they are sure that these lands no longer remains in the grasping hands of the federal government.
