Oregon Standoff Leader Attends Meeting, Hears Chants of ‘Go’

The leader of an armed group who took over a national wildlife refuge in southeastern Oregon weeks ago joined hundreds of area residents at a tense community meeting
Oregon Standoff Leader Attends Meeting, Hears Chants of ‘Go’
Ammon Bundy, one of the sons of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, speaks to reporters during a news conference at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016, near Burns, Ore. AP Photo/Rick Bowmer
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The leader of an armed group who took over a national wildlife refuge in southeastern Oregon weeks ago joined hundreds of area residents at a tense community meeting — listening quietly as many loudly chanted at him to “go.”

Ammon Bundy, who has been trying to drum up support for his cause, didn’t speak at Tuesday night’s meeting in Burns where residents discussed the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge which began earlier this month.

Some of the several hundred community members spoke to Bundy directly. One woman thanked him for raising awareness around issues of public lands, but told him it’s time to go home to his family.

“Ammon, you need to go home to your family; thank you,” said local resident Jennifer Williams. “I’ve heard so many things I didn’t know before. Now I’m aware.”

Residents protest the occupation of a national refuge Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016 in southeastern Oregon. (AP Photo/Gosia Wozniacka)
Residents protest the occupation of a national refuge Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016 in southeastern Oregon. AP Photo/Gosia Wozniacka