The Seige In Burns Is Over.
Now the legal process begins.
The four holdouts in an armed protest at a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon surrendered on Thursday, with the last occupier repeatedly threatening suicide during an intense phone call with mediators before he finally walked out, ending the 41-day standoff with the FBI.
David Fry, 27, had stayed behind for more than an hour and told supporters by phone he had not agreed with the other three to leave. The call was broadcast live on an audio feed posted on the Internet.
"I'm actually pointing a gun at my head. I'm tired of living," Fry said during the phone call. He later added, "Until you address my grievances, you're probably going to have to watch me be killed, or kill myself."
Fry finally surrendered and authorities could be heard over the phone line telling him to put his hands up before the call disconnected. Portland's KGW television later showed a caravan of sport utility vehicles escorted by police driving out of the refuge in remote eastern Oregon.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation said in a statement the final four occupiers had surrendered and face charges of conspiracy to impede federal officers, along with 12 others previously arrested.
"The occupation of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge has been a long and traumatic episode for the citizens of Harney County and the members of the Burns Paiute tribe," U.S. Attorney Billy Williams said in the statement. "It is a time for healing, reconciliation amongst neighbors and friends, and allowing for life to get back to normal."
Williams said now that all of the protesters had been taken into custody, law enforcement officials would "assess the crime scene and damage to the refuge and tribal artifacts."
1 comment:
i imagine that that 'authorities' will make 'damage' and blame the protesters.
par for the course.
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