Burns protest leader, from Redmond, opposes takeover

A member of the Central Oregon Constitutional Guard was back from Burns Monday, attending Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden’s town hall meeting in Madras and urging him to visit Harney County and help defuse the protest by militia members who took over federal buildings.

“I’m concerned — I’m truly concerned,” B.J. Soper of Redmond told Wyden at a town hall meeting that drew a crowd of about 70.

Soper told NewsChannel 21 he’s well-acquainted with Dwight and Steve Hammond, the ranchers at the center of the dispute, and with the Bundys. He also said he spent weeks in Burns, preparing for Saturday’s peaceful protest, unaware what would come next.

At Wyden’s scheduled meeting at Madras City Hall, he told the crowd he’s monitoring the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Wyden said he does not have immediate plans to visit Burns, buts wants Oregonians to know he does not support the illegal activity. He suspects many in our state feel the same.

“The local residents are not in agreement with some of these people who’ve come from the outside and think they can take the law into their own hands,” Wyden said.

An unknown number of protesters took over the building Saturday, vowing to stay until federal lands are returned to the ranchers and locals. Harney County Sheriff David Ward has called on the protesters to leave.

Soper said although he put a lot of effort into supporting the Hammonds and organizing the protest, he was not aware Bundy and some other followers were going to seize the refuge headquarters.

“One of the (protesters) jumped up on the snow bank and told the people of the rally what was going on, and asked them to follow him if they supported him,” Soper recalled.

“I was angry with (Ammon Bundy) because he ran — he came in and made that announcement and then just left, and just left me holding the torch to have to answer to. My family was there, my children were there, and I was upset.”

Soper added while he does not agree with the occupation, he understands why the group wants to make a stand.

“The frustrations with the ranchers not being able to graze the way they need to has caused them to manage less cattle, which affects our lives and all of our lives,” Soper said.

Soper is not a rancher. He describes himself as an American who stands up for others when he feels constitutional rights have been violated.

He said the Hammonds are just the latest victims of government overreach.

“This is bigger than just the Hammonds — this is an entire western United States issue, ranchers all over the country are having problems with the administrative rules,” Soper said.

Wyden said he understands it’s hard to make a living in rural areas, but stressed changes must come from community talks and political processes.

“Folks in rural Oregon are hurting economically, and I get that frustration,” Wyden said.

Soper said plans on going back to Burns Tuesday to “peacefully help” end the conflict.

He said the Central Oregon Constitutional Guard is comprised of a few families in Central Oregon.