NOTE: The YouTube embed above is reportedly a live call from those who are occupying the refuge. The occupiers appear to be talking to Nevada Assemblywoman Michele Fiore, who is working on negotiating their exit from the refuge. Click above to follow the audio from that call. FOX 13 News has not been able to independently verify the authenticity of the stream. WARNING: Instances of profanity have been heard, viewer discretion is advised.
By Dana Ford
CNN
(CNN) — Talks between the FBI and protesters occupying a wildlife refuge in Oregon continued Wednesday as the FBI said it had them surrounded.
According to the FBI, one of the remaining occupiers rode outside barricades at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. When agents tried to approach him, he sped off back to the refuge.
“At this time, the FBI has moved to contain the remaining occupiers by placing agents at barricades both immediately ahead of and behind the area where the occupiers are camping. Negotiations between the occupiers and the FBI continue. No shots have been fired,” the FBI said.
Wednesday marks day 40 of the occupation.
Ammon Bundy and others started out demonstrating against the sentencing of Dwight Hammond and his son Steven, ranchers who were convicted of arson on federal lands in Oregon.
But a January 2 march supporting the Hammonds led to the armed occupation of the refuge, with protesters decrying what they call government overreach when it comes to federal lands.
Bundy and other members of his group were arrested during an incident along a highway last month.
At the same time, law enforcement officers shot and killed LaVoy Finicum, one of the protest group’s most prominent members.
