Oregon Standoff Terrorists Acquitted
The state of Oregon witnessed a great miscarriage of justice on Thursday afternoon, as seven armed terrorists responsible for seizing federal lands were found not guilty of illegally seizing that land and preventing employees from carrying out their duties. The official charge for all seven defendants including leader Ammo Bundy was “conspiracy to impede federal employees from discharging their duties,” in addition to other weapons charges. Bundy and his organization of terrorists took control of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge just south of Burns, Oregon.
Clockwise from top left, Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy, Shawna Cox, Jeff Banta, Kenneth Medenbach, David Lee Fry and Neil Wampler. Credit: Multnomah County Sheriff
According to the inept jury, a group of vigilantes who threatened the government before taking up arms and seizing property is perfectly suitable behavior. A reasonably prudent person would fear entering the building under these circumstances. Thus, an employee of the refuge (who falls under the reasonable person standard) would be deterred from entering the building during their typical work shift. Despite the entire world watching the terrorists prevent federal employees from carrying out their duties for several weeks (costing the Oregon government millions of dollars in the process), the jury remained unconvinced.
The acquittals, in this case, were not just dangerous because they were wrong. These acquittals set a precedent for future organized terrorists to seize control of property and suffer no consequence. Laws are established to maintain health and safety. The verdict in this case disregarded the need for safety and increased the risk of harm to every citizen who ever steps foot on federally controlled land.
The verdict here was disgraceful but also a predictable conclusion epitomizing white privilege in the United States.
