As two Oregon ranchers reported to federal prison this week, the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association vowed to support the ranchers, but not the armed protesters occupying a federal park facility. Oregon ranchers Dwight and Steve Hammond are long-time Oregon Cattlemen’s Association members. The Association said in a news release that “they do not support illegal activity taken against the government but has, and will continue, to support the Hammonds via avenues that are in accordance with the law.” Association Executive Director Jerome Rosa said the association does not agree with the current re-sentencing of the ranchers. The Washington Post reported federal land issues have been compounding for years, as the federal government owns more than half the land in the state, as it does across much of the West, adding that it used to be routine for ranchers to get permits to graze cattle. However, recent decade’s worth of environmental issues has led to more restrictions on ranching and grazing, leading to the frustrations. The Hammonds said this week “To the people at the wildlife refuge: You said you were here to help the citizens of Harney County. That help ended when a peaceful protest became an armed occupation,” asking them to “go home.”
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