Law enforcement and media response to a militant takeover of a federal building in Burns, Oregon has angered some who hoped for a harsher response and tone.
Though the FBI, the Harney County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon State Police are all aware of the takeover, they have not detailed a plan to remove the militants from the Malheur Wildlife Refuge headquarters, which is in a remote area about 30 miles southeast of Burns.
Law enforcement was not in the area early on Saturday, according to reporters.
I haven't seen a single law enforcement vehicle out here. #bundyMilitia #burnsoregon— Amanda Peacher (@amandapeacher) January 3, 2016
For many, the lack of law enforcement at refuge headquarters in Burns is a sharp contrast to law enforcement's response to anti-police brutality protests that have occurred for months in Ferguson, Missouri and Baltimore.
Did I miss the call for the national guard in Oregon? I recall them in Ferguson and Baltimore. #OregonUnderAttack— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) January 3, 2016
Where's the police and the National Guard? Armed militia, Bundy brothers take over federal building in rural Oregon https://t.co/lWgOIRYZp5— Choco Lotus (@kstyles00) January 3, 2016
If those armed a-holes in Oregon weren't white, the national guard would be rolling in tanks by now.— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) January 3, 2016
Though National Guard units can be directed by the federal government, the force is organized by the state, and governors of each state often choose when to deploy them.
Others were also angry at media outlets for calling the militants a "militia" instead of terrorists.
An armed group of people taking over a federal building is called what? TERRORISM. Unless you're white, apparently. #OregonUnderAttack— Black Lives MPLS (@BlackLivesMpls) January 3, 2016
Lets be real. The silence is deafening b/c most white Americans dont fear white supremacist terrorists. Think about that #OregonUnderAttack— Micky Black (@mickynoir) January 3, 2016
#OregonUnderAttack (Apparently they werent dark skin enough to be called terrorist)#ImWithHer White privilege https://t.co/jObxq8l1tw— The Rework (@TheRework) January 3, 2016
Average response from people in US to this cartoon is (1) justify #TamirRice murder and (2) support White militias pic.twitter.com/W475HokMhJ— Carlos Latuff (@LatuffCartoons) January 3, 2016
The refuge headquarters was unoccupied at the time of the takeover.
The group of militants reportedly consists of about 15 anti-government extremists. They broke off from a larger protest on Saturday that was voicing opposition to the imminent jailing of two ranchers convicted of arson.
The militants have said they're prepared to occupy the building for "years." They're demanding that the ranchers not be jailed, and they want the government to give up jurisdiction over the Malheur National Forest.