Ammon Bundy Urges Protesters to Leave Refuge

Oregon militia leader Ammon Bundy is urging his followers at a wildlife refuge near Burns, Ore., to leave, according to a statement released by his attorney.

Bundy’s lawyer, Mike Arnold, read a statement by Bundy, arrested Tuesday, on the steps of a courthouse in Portland.

“Right now, I am asking the federal government to allow the people at the refuge to go home without being prosecuted,” the statement read. “To those remaining at the refuge, I love you. Let us take this fight from here. Please stand down. Go home and hug your families. This fight is ours for now in the courts. Please go home.”

The statement also paid tribute to Robert “LaVoy” Finicum, the protester who died on Tuesday, as federal and state authorities arrested Bundy and seven others during a traffic stop on Highway 395 between the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge refuge and John Day, Oregon. Bundy and the protesters had holed up at the refuge since Jan. 2. Authorities said the arrests came after futile efforts to end the standoff peacefully for 25 days.

As of 8:15 p.m. PT, it was unclear if any of the protesters had left. But several armored law enforcement vehicles arrived at that time and told media members to leave the area. (Read more from “Ammon Bundy Urges Protesters to Leave Refuge” HERE)

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