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On Tuesday, 16 February 2016 at WNMU / Global Resource Center, Gila Resources Information Project and Gila / Mimbres Community Radio / KURU 89.1 FM presented a Community Conversation…
During the recent armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, supporters carrying firearms roamed the streets of nearby Burns, Oregon. Fearing violence, Burns residents closed schools and cancelled community meetings. A Grant County, New Mexico rancher renounced his grazing permit at a news conference during the armed takeover.
The Malheur takeover began as a protest against the sentencing of local ranchers for their conviction on charges of arson on federal lands. The protesters – mostly from out of state – brandished firearms and traveled to the Malheur Wildlife Refuge where they presented a list of demands. This resulted in a multi-week siege that disrupted the lives of the residents of Burns and Harney County, as dozens of takeover supporters with weapons roamed the streets. Schools were closed, public meetings were cancelled, and a shadow of fear about potential armed violence fell upon this rural community. Feeling that their own resources were overwhelmed, local authorities requested assistance from the FBI and other jurisdictions. The social, fiscal, and legal impacts were felt immediately and will continue to affect local residents well into the future.
Grant County rancher Adrian Sewell renounced his grazing permit at a news conference during the armed takeover at Malheur – Sewell Renunciation Letter. With the imminent expiration of Adrian Sewell’s existing grazing permit, community concerns are heightened about the potential use of violence and a repetition here in Grant County of the sort of armed confrontation that occurred in Burns. The Grant County Sheriff is investigating reports of armed men stopping motorists and questioning them on the road leading to the Sewell ranch. While these men have not been identified, the question has been raised that they may be the vanguard of other out of state militia types.
Moderated by Jamie Newton, host of Gila / Mimbres Community Radio’s Civil Discourse, the panel consisted of stakeholders with a range of perspectives on the potential impacts of the use of violence here in Grant County.
The panelists were:
In his remarks after the takeover ended, Sheriff Dave Ward of Harney County noted newly recognized divisions within the community. He encouraged residents to talk through complex issues at the core of the occupation rather than stay silent, according to a news account – Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Additional information…
Opposing Violent Means to Political Ends was broadcast
You can listen at your convenience via this link…
A Community Conversation / Opposing Violent Means to Political Ends
Times of comments by individuals are listed below…
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