Occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge |
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The headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge were occupied by armed militants in early 2016
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| Date | January 2, 2016 – February 11, 2016 (40 days) |
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43°15′55″N 118°50′39″W / 43.265404°N 118.844272°W |
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| One occupier dead, one wounded | |||
| Death(s) | Robert LaVoy Finicum | ||
| Injuries | Ryan Bundy | ||
| Arrested | 27 | ||
| Charged | 27 | ||
| Fined | 13 | ||
 Location in Oregon
Location in the United States
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On January 2, 2016, an armed group took over the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon. They stayed there until law enforcement officers made the final arrest on February 11, 2016. The group's leader was Ammon Bundy. He had also been involved in a similar event in 2014 at his father's ranch in Nevada.
Why the Occupation Happened
The people in the group believed that the U.S. government should not own so much land. They thought that most of the land managed by federal agencies, like the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), should be given to the individual states.
In 2015, the group decided to protest because two local ranchers, Dwight and Steven Hammond, were sent to prison. These ranchers had been found guilty of setting fires on federal land. The armed group believed the Hammonds were treated unfairly, even though the Hammonds themselves did not ask for their help.
The occupation started after a peaceful public meeting in the nearby city of Burns. After the meeting, Ammon Bundy led his armed group to the refuge headquarters and took it over.
How the Occupation Ended
By February 11, 2016, all the people involved in the occupation had either given up or left the refuge. Several of the group's leaders were arrested after they left the site.
One person, Robert LaVoy Finicum, was shot and killed during an attempt to arrest him. This happened when he tried to avoid a police roadblock and reached for a hidden handgun. Another person, Ryan Bundy, was injured during the arrests.
More than two dozen people from the group faced federal charges. These charges included working together to stop federal officers from doing their jobs, breaking firearms laws, and stealing or damaging federal property.
What Happened Next
After the occupation, many people involved faced legal consequences. By August 2017, twelve people had admitted they were guilty. Six of them received probation, which meant they had to follow certain rules for one to two years, and some had to stay under house arrest.
Seven other people, including Ammon and Ryan Bundy, went to trial. A jury found them not guilty of all federal charges. Five more people were found guilty in separate trials and were sentenced later.
In total, nine people who were part of the occupation went to prison for their actions. Some others were fined money.
See also
In Spanish: Ocupación de milicianos del refugio nacional de vida silvestre de Malheur para niños
