 |
| Bundy standoff | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | April 5–12, 2014[1] | ||
| Location | Bunkeville, Nevada, U.S. 36°43′00″N 114°14′19″W / 36.716574°N 114.238483°W | ||
| Caused by |
| ||
| Goals | Cliven Bundy and many private militias attempt to reclaim Bundy's land and cattle | ||
| Resulted in |
| ||
| Parties | |||
| |||
| Lead figures | |||
Unknown Cliven Bundy | |||
  Approximate location of Bunkerville Location within Nevada | |||
The Bundy standoff was a standoff between the United States Bureau of Land Management and cattle farmer Cliven Bundy[2] on his ranch. The standoff originated when the BLM accused Bundy of failing to pay federal taxes since 1993.[3]
Background
editCliven Bundy has been locked in legal battles with the United States Bureau of Land Mangement since 1993 over unpaid taxes.[4] Bundy has admitted that he has refused to pay his taxes, but justified it as his ancestors had owned the land long before the establishment of the BLM. The BLM claims that it is federal land and that the illegal grazing of his cows is further endangering the desert tortoise. Many believe that the standoff did not start because the BLM was attempting to collect lost dues, but rather because the BLM wanted Bundy's land. That is due to the belief that the desert tortoise is actually overpopulated and the government is executing the tortoises to keep the population down.[5]
Some conspiracy theorists believe that the United States Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) of Nevada is directly responsible for the conflict to assist a Chinese company. Reid is believed to have asked a senior executive at the BLM, who was a top donor of his, to seize the land so the Chinese company could build solar panels on the land.[infowarsreid 1] No major United States news outlets have reported this, though it may or may not be true as past conspiracy theories have been true.
Alleged excessive force
editMany have claimed that the BLM has used excessive force.
Tasering of Ammon Bundy
editAmmon Bundy, son of Cliven, was tasered by BLM agents to the point where his shirt was stained with his blood.[6]
'First Amendment areas'
editThe BLM set up designated unconstitutional 'First Amendment areas,' which was the only place where protesters were allowed to exercise their First Amendment rights.[7]
Snipers
editBundy's wife, Carol, alleged that BLM agents armed with sniper rifles are scattered around the ranch. There has been no independent verification of her claim.[8]
BLM retreat
editOn the morning of April 12, the BLM announced that it would cease the mass roundup of Bundy's cattle,[1][9] citing safety reasons.
Public reaction
editMany political commentators, such as Sean Hannity have compared this situation to the Siege of Waco. Cliven has threatened 'range war' against the BLM, and many have referenced that in comparing the Bundy standoff to Waco.[10] Though many Nevadans, including governor Brian Sandoval, took sides with Cliven Bundy and his stance against the Bureau of Land Management, others have opposed his actions. Cliven stated in an interview with Hannity that he sees himself as a martyr for the First Amendment and American freedom. Many of those who opposed Cliven's actions believe he is a lawbreaker and trespasser on public lands.
Sean Hannity also called out the BLM for their methods of taking the cattle back, which include, but are not limited to:
References
edit- ^ a b Knapp, George. "BREAKING NEWS: BLM ends roundup of Bundy cattle". KLAS-TV Las Vegas. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Out-of-state groups ride in to stand with Nevada rancher in battle with feds over grazing rights". Fox News. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ Cliven Bundy supporters bring cattle roundup protest to Las Vegas police headquarters, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Apr. 11, 2014 (updated April 12, 2014).
- ^ Glionna, John. "BLM seizes cattle in range war with stubborn Nevada rancher". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ Salazar, Adam. {{subst:User:JzG/Unreliable fringe source|infowars.com}}/before-nevada-cattle-rancher-dispute-blm-was-euthanizing-endangered-desert-tortoise/ "Before Nevada Cattle Rancher Standoff, BLM Killed Off Hundreds of Endangered Tortoises". Infowars.com. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ Chumley, Cheryl K. "Militias head to Nevada rancher's standoff with feds: We're not 'afraid to shoot'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ Goldstein, Sasha. "Nevada rancher in tense standoff with federal government over cattle on rural public lands". New York Daily News. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ Adams, Becket. "Armed Fed Agents and Snipers? Nevada Rancher Is Taking on the Gov't in a Battle That's Reaching a Breaking Point". TheBlaze. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ Turner, Christi. "Rancher vs BLM: a 20-year standoff ends with tense roundup". High Country News. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ Farnham, Alan. "Nevada Rancher Threatens 'Range War' Against Feds". ABC News. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ Watson, Paul Joseph. {{subst:User:JzG/Unreliable fringe source|infowars.com}}/feds-assault-cancer-victim-pregnant-woman-in-clash-with-bundy-supporters/ "Feds Assault Cancer Victim, Pregnant Woman in Clash With Bundy Supporters". Infowars.com. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help)
Category:Conflicts in 2014
Category:2014 in the United States
Cite error: There are <ref group=infowarsreid> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=infowarsreid}} template (see the help page).