Wyden on takeover: Most locals don’t support ‘outsiders’
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said Sunday “outsiders” are to blame for the situation in a rural part of the state where protesters are occupying a national wildlife refuge to object to a prison sentence for local ranchers for burning federal land.
Wyden told The Associated Press he had been briefed by Gregory Bretzing, the FBI special agent in charge in Portland, Oregon. Wyden said the FBI is coordinating with Oregon State Police and the Harney County Sheriff’s Office, but he declined to offer further details.
Ammon Bundy — the son of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, who was involved in a 2014 standoff with the government over grazing rights — is among the people at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge south of Burns, Oregon. It’s unclear how many protesters are at the refuge, but Bundy says they are planning to stay indefinitely.
Later, Wyden held the first of three Central Oregon town halls late Sunday afternoon at St. Charles Prineville, answering questions on issues ranging from health care to cellphone coverage.
Asked afterward by NewsChannel 21 about the refuge takeover, Wyden said he understands the frustration of those in rural Oregon, but he does not want them to be misled by outside groups.
“What I want to do is make sure that the next step, after that frustration, is not to be, in effect, led over the cliff by some people from outside Oregon who just seem willing to take the law into their own hands.”
Wyden also said he believes most people in the area don’t support the protesters.
The senator holds two more town halls in the area Monday, at 9:45 a.m. at Ridgeview High School in Redmond and 12:30 p.m. at Madras City Hall.
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., also plans three Central Oregon town halls Tuesday, at 11 a.m. at COCC’s Madras campus, at 3 p.m. at Crook County High School and at 6:30 p.m. at COCC’s Willie Hall in Bend.
