On January 2, an armed militia took control of a federal building in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. This took place as a protest to the recent decision to send Dwight and Steven Hammond back to prison on arson charges. Thankfully, the federal building taken under control was empty because of recent holiday celebrations.

    The Hammonds, who are father and son, were convicted of setting fire to public land in an attempt to cover up illegal poaching. Even though they already served three months of jail time, federal law states that the minimum sentence for an arson charge is five years. A different judge sent out and ordered to have them return to prison. Around three hundred people peacefully protested this decision.

    Many of the militiamen have stated that they plan to occupy the federal building until they feel as if justice has been served, even if it takes years. They want the government to give control of the wildlife refuge back to the citizens, and they want a shorter sentence for the Hammonds. The Hammonds have distanced themselves from the militia and have advocated that they do not support or want to be a part of it.

    Locals in Oregon want the militia disbanded as soon as possible. A quick resolution does not seem to be an answer due to the fact that they are willing to take violent action against anyone that comes to put an end to the situation. To avoid another tragedy in America, local resistance and the federal government are taking cautious steps to push back against the so called “Citizens of Constitutional Freedom.”