Artifacts Stored at Oregon Refuge Held by Armed Group

Novelty candy isn’t exactly nourishing food for a long winter occupation, but it’s among the “gifts” OR occupiers at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge have received. The group was expected to outline its exit strategy at a meeting Friday night.

Organizers of the community meeting have said the meeting will be held even if the county does not provide a location.

The Oregonian (bit.ly/1SQnaVx) reports that officials in Burns, about 30 miles from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, said the meeting can’t be held at the Harney County fairgrounds or any other county facility.

Occupiers also began cleaning the refuge on Tuesday, saying they want to leave it cleaner than they found it. Occupiers said the building was messy and unorganized when they arrived and they’re concerned how federal taxpayer money is being spent.

They say their siege was planned to support two local ranchers who were ordered back to prison with increased sentences for arson.

Myers said he participated in an Association of Oregon Counties conference call with Grasty and leaders of most Eastern Oregon counties Wednesday, Jan. 13, discussing the possibility of the armed group migrating elsewhere. Some are angry with what many consider overly restrictive policies on federal lands but aren’t enthused about the armed group that took over the refuge.

Chris Briels, a member of the Harney County Committee of Safety, a group of private citizens, announced his resignation surrounded by cheering anti-government activists.

Be Civil – It’s OK to have a difference in opinion but there’s no need to be a jerk.