An Oregon county judge says he will send Ammon Bundy the bill for security costs that have been racked up because of a days-long standoff Bundy is leading between ranchers and the federal government.
Harney County judge Steve Grasty said that the cost of setting up appropriate security measures is "$60,000 to $70,000 a day."
"And we're gong to send Mr. Bundy the bill," Grasty told KTVZ-TV.
Members of a small militia gather at the entrance to the Malheur Wildlife Refuge Headquarters property some 30 miles from Burns, Oregon, Jan. 3. The armed anti-government group have taken over a building at the federal wildlife refuge, accusing officials of unfairly punishing ranchers. (Rob Kerr/AFP/Getty Images)
Bundy and other ranchers took over a federal wildlife refuge in Burns, Oregon, Jan. 2. The protesters, many of whom are not from Oregon, have claimed they are standing up for local ranchers, Dwight and Steve Hammond, who, they say, are being unjustly forced to serve out 5-year prison terms on arson convictions for which they had already served time.
Federal authorities haven't forced the protesters out of the federal facility and haven't been able to convince them to leave voluntarily. As a result, schools in the area were closed because of security concerns but reopened Monday for the first time since the standoff began.
The judge also urged residents not to aid the protesters, as some have called for such assistance, including items such as flavored coffee creamer, tampons and cigarettes, according to Raw Story.
“No matter how you feel, do not bring food and supplies up to the refuge,” Grasty said.
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(H/T: Raw Story)
