01.05.16

Ranking Member Grijalva Introducing Resolution Today Disapproving of Armed Refuge Takeover in Oregon – Seeking Hill Cosponsors

Washington, D.C. – Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) will introduce a congressional resolution today shortly after 2:00 p.m. Eastern time condemning the illegal armed occupation of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. The resolution calls on the group to leave the refuge and surrender to law enforcement immediately. The language of the resolution, which will not have a formal number until after introduction, is available at http://1.usa.gov/1OKvMqx.

“This is not a romantic instance of Western self-reliance or an excusable moment of heated rhetoric,” Grijalva said. “This is armed occupation of public property by people who have threatened deadly force. No one should play the game of publicly wringing their hands at these criminals’ tactics even as they cheer on their ‘message,’ least of all Congress. The refuge is public land bought and paid for by the American people for public benefit and enjoyment. No one is entitled to demand it for themselves or steal it by force. I call on every one of my colleagues to support this resolution and work closely with responsible people in their home districts to make sure this isn’t repeated.”

The group of roughly 20 armed individuals has occupied the refuge headquarters since Saturday. Its self-appointed leader, Ammon Bundy, has issued call for others to join the occupation with their weapons. His brother, Ryan Bundy, has warned that the group is willing to kill and die if approached by law enforcement.

Ryan and Ammon are the sons of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, who in 2014 instigated an armed standoff with the Bureau of Land Management over roughly $1 million in grazing fees he continues to refuse to pay.

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