Ranchers Turn Themselves In As Militia Refuses To Leave
[su_gootxttop]
The father and son at the heart of the issue. Dwight and Steven Hammond, have turned themselves in, but the militia, whose help they don’t want, isn’t leaving a federal building it is occupying.
The father and son turned themselves in to authorities Monday to serve their sentences, Sheriff David Ward of Harney County, Oregon, told reporters.
Addressing the armed protesters at the federal building directly, Ward said: “You said you were here to help the citizens of Harney County. That help ended when a peaceful protest became an armed occupation. The Hammonds have turned themselves in. It’s time for you to leave our community, go home to your families and end this peacefully.”
Bundy said officials are unfairly punishing the Hammonds for refusing to sell their land. He said it’s an example of the government’s overreach, especially when it comes to land rights.
But according to Billy J. Williams, the acting U.S. attorney in Oregon, the Hammonds were rightfully convicted after setting fire to about 130 acres of public land in an attempt to cover up poaching.
[su_gootxtbelow]
[su_facebook]
