On January 2nd, roughly 25 armed protesters stormed into the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Southern Oregon, taking the building for themselves and setting up camp. Led by Ammond and Ryan Bundy, the sons of a rancher who engaged in a standoff with Federal agents last year, the group plans to stay in the refuge until their demands are met. Their mission is to bring attention to the supposed injustices that the Federal government has committed against them and other ranchers in the area.

Their main argument is that the prolonged prison sentences of Dwight and Steven Hammond, two ranchers convicted of arson in 2012, are unconstitutional. While the Hammonds have not publicly supported the protest, there has been a long history of illegal activities committed by the family. Ranging from the 80’s to today, Dwight and Steven have been charged with or accused of multiple instances of illegal cattle grazing, death threats to public workers, and arson. Tension has been high between the Federal government and local ranchers for a long time, with the locals claiming that the Malheur National Forest is rightfully their land. The Federal government claimed the lands more than a century ago under Teddy Roosevelt, and have left sufficient space for local ranchers to continue their livelihoods. However, that doesn’t seem to be enough for the protesters, who have demanded that the government give up all of their land in Harney County, the location of the standoff.

While the protesters have said that they are ready for a gunfight, FBI agents are doing everything in their power to keep the situation calm and under control. After similar sieges in Ruby Ridge, Idaho and Waco, Texas that both saw casualties, the FBI is attempting to wait out the protesters, who will eventually run out of supplies.

The occupation has sparked widespread outrage, with many comparing the group to terrorists, labelling them “Y’all Qaeda”. While many local residents support their overall cause, they argue that armed protests and militias are not the way to accomplish their goals. Their operation has no chance of succeeding, and is ultimately painting locals who may have legitimate concerns in a negative light. “I think they’re making fools of themselves,” said WHHS junior Maros Adamec.

Time will tell whether or not this standoff ends in a peaceful manner, or causes another  gunfight that results in needless loss of life.