One day after Oregon militia leader Ammon Bundy and several others were arrested by authorities, the disgruntled car fleet manager is telling those remaining in the standoff to go home. The group had been occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge since early January after two ranchers were arrested for arson.
According to the Oregonian, Bundy’s statement was issued verbally through his attorney Mike Arnold. It addresses both the hostile takeover and the loss of supporter Robert "LaVoy" Finicum, who was killed after refusing to surrender to authorities. It read:
First I want to address my beloved friend, [Robert] Levoy Finnicum. Levoy is one of the greatest men and greatest patriots I've ever seen. His love for this country ran deep through the blood he gave yesterday. And I mourn for him and I mourn for his family. I'm praying fervently for you in every prayer. We'll have more to say later, but right now I'm asking the federal government to allow the people at the refuge to go home without being prosecuted.
His brother, Ryan Bundy, was also shot and injured during the arrests but remains alive.
