A stream meanders through a portion of the Malheur National Wildlife refuge outside of Burns, Ore., that is closed to the public Friday, Feb. 12, 2016. The headquarters buildings at the refuge, near the trees in the distance, were taken over by armed protesters for 41 days. The FBI allowed a group of reporters to move nearer to the refuge Friday morning as part of a guided tour. The group was not allowed to enter the refuge, which is now considered a crime scene.(AP Photo/Rebecca Boone)
February 12, 2016 - 1:04 PM
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Right fight; wrong strategy.
That's what many ranchers and sympathizers of the armed occupation at a national wildlife refuge in Oregon have concluded. They say the weekslong standoff that ended Thursday with the arrests of the final occupiers has only strengthened the resolve to fight federal government control over public lands.
But many say the strategy needs to shift to more peaceful protests and to court battles aimed at prying control from U.S. officials.
Greg Whalen, a military veteran from Las Vegas, says they won't back off. He says they'll fight harder, but peacefully.
The dispute predates statehood in some places. But calls for action have become louder as federal agencies designate protected areas for endangered species and set aside tracts for mining, wind farms and natural gas exploration.
News from © The Associated Press, 2016