Though the leaders of the militia in Oregon and several others were arrested Tuesday night in a police sting, several rebels have remained at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge, committed to continuing the directionless fight that they have for nearly a month.
Bundy has asked that officers allow the remaining rebels to leave the refuge without being arrested. The FBI has reported that since the initial rebel arrests, eight people have left the compound and three of those were arrested. There are now currently 11 people in custody associated with this case.
As of late Wednesday, militia spokesman David Fry told the media that five people remained inside the refuge. Fry said that the remaining people are organized with new leaders and new plans of action.
Bundy’s message to these remaining rebels:
“To those remaining at the refuge, I love you. Let us take this fight from here. Please stand down. Go home and hug your families. This fight is ours for now in the courts. Please go home.”
Fry tells the media that the remaining men are interested in abandoning their post immediately, but they have been told by the FBI that one of the men is to be arrested and charged with the same felony as the 11 others. Fry has been negotiating with the police to see if they can get the felony dropped if they agree to leave immediately. So far, the FBI has said no to that request.
“Just let us leave right now. We’re willing to leave. And if they want to check the guns for — if it’s stolen guns or what-not — we’re agreeing to that. We’re being reasonable and trying to be peaceful.”
Fry says that the FBI’s refusal to drop the felony is “kind of silly,” but then again, so was this whole damned affair.
