Tom Shoup, the Editor at Large for Government Executive posted on July 29.2022, a retrospective look at the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon that began on January 2, 2016 and lasted for nearly six weeks. The article is entitled, “The Time Armed Militants Occupied a Federal Building (Not the Capitol)” with a subtitle that states, “Before Jan. 6, 2021, there was Jan. 2, 2016.” You may view the article here.
Ammon Bundy speaks to members of the media on January 6, 2016. JUSTIN SULLIVAN/GETTY
As Mr. Shoup notes, “Those who occupied the refuge had little interest in the wildlife there or its protection. They were out to strike a blow against the very idea that the federal government should own or control land that could be used by farmers and ranchers.”
Before the occupation ended, it resulted in one death. On January 26, 2016, Oregon State Police and the FBI confronted protestors on U.S. 395 north of Burns, Oregon. By the time it was over Robert “La Voy” Finicum was dead.
Previous postings about the Malheur occupation on this blog include:
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Occupation - February 12, 2016
A Lingering Effect of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Occupation - October 18, 2016
Malheur Wildlife Preserve Occupier Acquitted - October 28, 2016
Perspective on the Malheur Wildlife Preserve Occupation Court “Victory” - November 9, 2016
Armed Malheur Wildlife Preserve Occupiers Made False Claims About History - November 13, 2016
Malheur Occupier Receives a Prison Sentence - November 17, 2017
Malheur Occupation Reflected an Alternative View of Government Land Management - November 23, 2017
Another Malheur Occupier Goes to Prison - November 23, 2017
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Occupation Two Years Later - January 19, 2018
Family of Armed Malheur Occupier Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit - January 30, 2018
Acquittals and Soft Sentences for the Armed Occupation of Oregon’s Malheur National Wildlife Refuge - April 13, 2018
A Film About the Occupation of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge - April 27, 2018
POTUS 45 Issues Pardons in Case that Inspired Armed Occupation of Malheur National Wildlife Preserve - July 10, 2018
Former Oregon County Commissioner Threatened in Connection with the Malheur National Wildlife Occupation of 2016 - November 9, 2019
Washington Representative Matt Shea Engage in Domestic Terrorism in Connection with the Malheur National Wildlife Reserve Occupation in 2016 - December 23, 2019
The Residual Power of Ammon Bundy - February 21, 2020