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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 27, 2016)
A18 News Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, January 27, 2016 MEETING Continued from Page A1 promised the crowd there would be another meeting in the very near future. “We’re not going to stop,” Houpt said. “We’re not going to take this anymore.” Bundy and the militia leaders had been occupy- ing the wildlife refuge near Burns since Jan. 2. They demanded the 187,757-acre bird sanctuary be returned to the county for ranching, while criticizing the federal govern- ment’s overall ownership and management of public lands. The militia also protested the sentences of two Harney County ranchers, Dwight and Steven Hammond, who were convicted of arson and given ¿YH\HDUVLQSULVRQIRUVHWWLQJ ¿UHV RQ IHGHUDO ODQG %XQG\ and supporters have called for the Hammonds’ immediate release. In John Day, the majority of people who approached the microphone during the town hall were supportive of Bundy and the armed protest. A smaller counter-protest was held outside the senior center, with roughly 30 people hold- Staff photo by E.J. Harris Jimi Soupier of Prairie City stands with a group of anti-occupation protesters in front of the senior center on Tuesday in John Day. ing signs directing their ire at both the militia and Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer. Palmer, who appeared in uniform at the beginning of the meeting, declined to speak with media. When it became clear Bundy would not ar- rive, Houpt told the crowd it appeared there had been an al- tercation somewhere between John Day and Burns. News later circulated about the ar- UHVWVDQGJXQ¿JKW One by one, residents came to the front of the room to speak their minds. Larry Lent, of John Day, argued the militants had every right to be in Oregon and said govern- ment overreach has been go- ing on for a long time. “I support the Hammonds and the Bundys 100 percent,” Lent said. “To hell with the FBI. They don’t belong here.” Jerry Larkin, of Canyon City, said he spent a day with the militia on the refuge, de- scribing them as “just like you and I.” “The federal government has taken away ground that doesn’t belong to them. It be- longs to the people,” Larkin said. “These people are gen- uinely trying to look out for these United States, just like the rest of us.” Outside, counter-protest- ARREST A TTENTION G RANT C OUNTY ers held signs that read, “John Day does not support criminal action,” and “Bundy Bunch — not in Grant County.” Hans Magden, of John Day, held a sign that simply read “Im- peach Palmer.” “He’s not doing his job,” Magden said of the county sheriff. “He’s not abiding by the laws. He’s integrating his own personal beliefs ... I be- lieve he should be removed IURPRI¿FH´ In particular, Magden said it was irresponsible to invite the militia to John Day. He said he believes Palmer sym- pathizes with their cause. Kay Steele, who lives in Grant County near the com- munity of Ritter, said she and her husband do nature photog- raphy on the Malheur refuge. She said they see the militia as law-breakers. “These people do not speak for Grant County,” Steele said. “We want the world to know that Grant County peo- ple don’t support this. This is a very vocal minority.” Back inside, militia sup- porters sat near the front of the room, with counter-protest- ers mostly in the back of the URRP-LP6SURXOD¿IWKJHQ- eration resident of John Day, brought up the recent Canyon &UHHN &RPSOH[ RI ZLOG¿UHV that burned more than 100,000 acres last summer. “That wasn’t an act of God. It was an act of negli- gence,” Sproul said. Odalis Sharp, of Auburn, Kansas, got up with her chil- dren to sing songs during the meeting. She described Bun- dy and the militia as good people, and urged the crowd to defend their cause. “You all are going to have to step up right now,” Sharp said. “Somebody was shot on the way here. They were com- ing over here to tell you the truth. ... We’ll stand for you as long as we can.” V ETERANS : Continued from Page A1 Did you know a service-connected disabled veteran is entitled to FREE use of Oregon State Parks? See your Grant County Veteran Services Officer today for more information, located at Grant County Courthouse. Open Mon, Wed, & Fri, 10 am - 4 pm, by appointment. Call 541-575-1631 Debbie Ausmus 245 South Canyon Blvd. John Day, OR 97845 OPEN WED. & THUR. 9 am - 5 pm 541-575-1113 24 hrs/7 days wk debbie.ausmus@ countryfinancial.com Anaconda, Montana. Other people were also de- tained during the arrests on Highway 395 and have since been released. In a separate event in Burns at about 5:50 p.m., Oregon State Police arrested Joseph Donald O’Shaughnessy, 45, Cottonwood, Arizona. At about 6:30 p.m., the FBI arrested Peter Santilli, 50, Cin- cinnati, Ohio, in Burns without incident. Santilli is known for his coverage of the occupation on his YouTube show. At 8:30 p.m., Jon Eric Ritzheimer, 32, was arrested by the FBI after turning himself in to the Peoria, Arizona, police department. Submitted photo A member of the group occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge sits on Highway 395 north of Burns while being taken into custody. The leader of the occupation, Ammon Bundy, was also reportedly taken into custody. All of the named defendants face a federal felony charge of FRQVSLUDF\ WR LPSHGH RI¿FHUV of the United States from dis- FKDUJLQJ WKHLU RI¿FLDO GXWLHV through the use of force, intim- idation or threats, according to the release. U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley said in a statement he was pleased the FBI responded. “The leaders of this group Meeting comments Beverly Curtis Prairie City “I thought it was interest- ing and informative. I’m glad I heard the different sides of the issue. I was glad it didn’t turn into a riot. ... I never thought there would be a killing.” Frances Preston Prairie City “I think it was marvelous that people came out. I think the situation as it exists real- ly spoke loudly. Even though we didn’t have our speakers, individuals come forward and through their voices we heard their concerns and feeling of community.” Dave Traylor John Day “I thought the meeting went over well. There was no name calling, and everyone was re- spectful. Here in the West we show we can have varying dif- ferences, but we can act in a respectful manner. It was sad to hear that one of the speakers was shot and killed on the way over here. We were always hoping there wouldn’t be violence.” are now in custody, and I hope that the remaining individ- uals occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge will peacefully surrender so this community can begin to heal the deep wounds that this ille- gal activity has created over the last month,” he said. Harney County Judge Steve Grasty also urged the remain- ing occupiers to stand down. “I am relieved this situation is coming to an end, however, I am saddened by the loss of life,” he said in a statement. “I hope and pray that those who remain at the Refuge will stand down peacefully.” The Deschutes County Ma- jor Incident Team will be as- sisting the OSP and the Harney County District Attorney’s Of- ¿FHZLWKWKHLQYHVWLJDWLRQLQWR WKH RI¿FHULQYROYHG VKRRWLQJ by OSP troopers. One Guy and a Wrench has moved. Be sure to come see us and get a great deal. One Guy and a Wrench Oil Change Special $35 00 up to 5qts Brake Replacement Special $25 00 off Jesse Judd Automotive Technician 27811 Apple Rd. John Day 541-620-2294 www.oneguyandawrench.com Look for us behind Mobile Glass
