Bundy to tell his side of story
Rancher to speak Saturday in Plains
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January 18, 2018
Every fence splits two sides.
High profile Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, who was allowed to walk free this month from federal charges, has become well acquainted with property disputes. He is heading to Paradise, Mont., to tell his story this Saturday evening.
On Jan. 8, 2018, The L.A. Times published a story stating Bundy was recently dismissed by Federal District Court Judge Gloria M. Navarro from federal charges applied back in 2014, when Bundy was accused of refusing to pay outstanding grazing fees. These fees, reported by the same source on Jan. 7, 2016 to be in excess of $1 million, started accumulating when federal grazing rules changed and the Bundy’s failed to comply beginning in 1993.
Frontline, a Public Broadcasting Station news entity published an online story May 16, 2017, by Sarah Childress, “The Battle Over Bunkerville,” revealing that Bundy claims to have rights to these lands and does not feel he should be charged any cattle grazing fees, nor does he feel the federal government has any grounds for jurisdiction over these lands.
Childress also reported that the Bureau of Land Management disagrees. They seized Bundy’s cattle, requiring payment of the grazing fees charged, and also stated Bundy never filed for a grazing permit, both required by law. In support for Bundy, protestors took part in an organized armed standoff at his Nevada ranch. This protest eventually led to another anti-government movement in Oregon, as supporters nation-wide came forward.
At the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Bundy’s sons Ammon and Ryan organized the armed protest showing support for what they feel are private landowner rights, according to Oregonian’s coverage of the Burns standoff. It was during this standoff when Ryan Bundy was shot, and Bundy supporter Robert La Voy Finicum was fatally shot during a vehicle stop while travelling to John Day for a meeting. Maxine Bernstein of The Oregonian Live reported in her June 27, 2017 story, “LaVoy Finicum shooting: FBI agent indicted for false statements,” that there was conflict with how officials handled Bundy and Finicum, and how they cooperated with officials during this stop.
Plains, Mont., resident Jake Ryan took part in the Malheur standoff, supporting the Bundy’s claim in protecting property ownership rights from government involvement. Ryan was the last protestor taken into custody at the refuge during the winter of 2016.
Ryan, who has entered a not guilty plea, is facing felony charges of conspiring to impede federal workers, possessing firearms in a federal facility and depredation of government property.
Ryan’s mother, Roxanne Ryan, also of Plains, stated she just cannot see how her son’s charges could stick when he was fighting for the Bundy’s, whose charges in relation to Malheur were dismissed in 2016.
She is taking an active role advocating for her son, and has organized a local group called COWPO (Coalition of Western Property Owners), which is based in Sanders County and has representatives in other western states.
COWPO is bringing Cliven Bundy to Paradise to meet with private land owners in the area. The gathering is branded, “Freedom and Property: Cliven Bundy’s Story.”
“We organized this meeting to try to bring light to what’s going on with property rights,” said Roxanne Ryan. “This is the third meeting that has happened, allowing Cliven to tell his story, his narrative on the dismissed charges. Anyone is welcome to attend and listen to what he (Bundy) has to say,” she continued.
Although Bundy is the main speaker, Shawna Cox, Andrea Parker, Billy Hill and Sen. Jennifer Fielder will also be presenting. The meeting is scheduled to take place in the Old Paradise School Gymnasium at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. Questions can be directed to Roxanne Ryan at (406) 826-5316.
“The Battle Over Bunkerville” recaps the Bundy story in its entirety and can be viewed at http://www.pbs.org.
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