An Occupation In Eastern Oregon

Oregon Gov. Brown On Burns: 'Spectacle Must End'

By Rob Manning (OPB)
Salem, Oregon Jan. 20, 2016 8:32 p.m.

In a press conference Wednesday where Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced her policy agenda, she took aim at federal officials.

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The governor said federal officials have told to her to limit her public comments to avoid escalating the ongoing occupation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon.

Brown called the occupation "intolerable" and  pushed for a quick resolution.

Related: Burns Meeting Grows Tense When Militants Arrive

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"Federal authorities must move quickly to end the occupation and hold all of the wrongdoers accountable," Brown said.

"This spectacle of lawlessness must end."

The occupation began Jan. 2 when a group of armed men led by Ammon and Ryan Bundy — the sons of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy — took over the refuge.

Brown said she's been in touch with top officials at the U.S. Department of Justice and at the White House.

Brown went on to say the occupation is costing about $100,000 a week. She said she'll find state money for those costs, so Harney County won't have to bear them.

But she also intends to ask the federal government to ultimately pay the tab.

To hear everything Gov. Brown said about the occupation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, click the sound file at the top of the article.

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