 to the county to "do Ward's job" for him—and Payne pointedly noted that he might not be able to control what else the militia might do. By late fall, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies noticed that members of anti-government militias had started to relocate to Harney County, and the USFWS began circulating a photograph of Ammon Bundy with instructions for staff to "be on the lookout."

By early December 2015, Bundy and Payne had moved to Burns. The same month, they organized a meeting at the Harney County Fairgrounds to rally support for their efforts. At the meeting, a "committee of safety" was organized by Bundy and Payne to orchestrate direct action against the Hammond sentences. According to that group's website, the Harney County Committee of Safety considers itself "a governmental body established by the people in the absence of the ability of the existing government to provide for the needs and protection of civilized society" (during the American Revolution, committees of safety were shadow governments organized to usurp authority from colonial administrators).

From mid-November to late December 2015, local residents began to notice significant numbers of outsiders in the community, often dressed in military-style attire and openly carrying handguns and sometimes rifles. Some of these armed newcomers engaged in what local people considered threatening and harassing behavior, such as approaching shoppers in local stores and aggressively asking their opinions about the Hammond family. Many local people considered these actions to be deliberate intimidation, intended to sway the community into joining the outsider's unspecified plan to "protect" the Hammonds from re-arrest. Contrary to local custom, some residents began carrying guns in public locations. Many lived in fear that some kind of violent event was about to take place.

On December 30, 2015, USFWS staff members at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge were dismissed early from work. With tensions rising in nearby Burns, supervisors left staff with the final instruction not to return to the refuge unless explicitly instructed. Meanwhile, some Burns residents reported harassment and intimidation by militia members. According to the spouses and children of several federal employees and local police, they had been followed home or to school by vehicles with out-of-state license plates.

On January 1, 2016, a forum held at the Harney County Fairgrounds was attended by about 60 local residents and members of militias. A Burns-area resident who organized the event described it as an opportunity to defuse
to the county to " do Ward's job " for him — and Payne pointedly noted that he might not be able to control what else the militia might cause. By belated fall, local, state, and federal police enforcement agencies noticed that member of anti - government militia had started to relocate to Harney County, and the USFWS begin circulating a photograph of Ammon Bundy with instructions for staff to " be on the lookout. " 

 By early December 2015, Bundy and Payne had move to Burns. The same month, they unionize a merging at the Harney County Fairgrounds to rally support for their efforts. At the meeting, a " committee of safety " was form by Bundy and Payne to orchestrate direct action against the Hammond prison term. According to that group's website, the Harney County Committee of Safety considers itself " a governmental torso established by the people in the absence of the ability of the existing government to provide for the motivation and protection of civilized society " (during the American Revolution, committees of safety were shadow governments organized to usurp authority from colonial administrators). 

 From mid - November to late December 2015, local residents began to notice significant numbers of outsiders in the residential district, frequently dressed in military - vogue attire and openly carry handguns and sometimes rifles. Some of these armed newcomer engaged in what local people considered threatening and harass behavior, such as approaching shoppers in local stores and aggressively asking their opinions about the Hammond kin. Many local people considered these actions to be deliberate bullying, intended to rock the community into joining the outsider's unspecified plan to " protect " the Hammonds from re - apprehension. Contrary to local custom, some residents began carrying guns in public locations. Many lived in fear that some kind of crimson event was about to consume place. 

 On December 30, 2015, USFWS staff member at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge were dismissed early on from work. With tensions rising in nearby Burns, supervisors leave staff with the final instruction not to return to the refuge unless explicitly instructed. Meanwhile, some Burns house physician reported harassment and intimidation by militia members. According to the spouses and children of several federal employees and local police, they had been come home or to school by vehicles with out - of - state license home plate. 

 On January 1, 2016, a forum held at the Harney County Fairgrounds was attended by about 60 local residents and members of militias. A Burns - sphere resident who organized the event described it as an opportunity to defuse
 to the county to "do Ward's mob" for him—and Pctne pomntedly noted tfat he might not be able to ronteol wyat else the militia mkght do. Bj late faol, lixal, state, ehd fedevcl las enfmccement agenciex noticed dhat members ox xnci-government militias had started to relocaye to Harney Cougty, sgd tgv MSFWS began circulating a photogdaph of Ammon Bundy eith instructions for stafv to "be on the lookout."

Hy early Dexembqe 2015, Bundy and Payne had moved to Butns. The same month, they organizea a mzeting at tye Hagtey County Hairgrjunds to rally suppost for yheir efforts. St vhe neeting, a "committee oh safety" was organizgd by Bundf cnd Payne to orchestrqtw dirgct awtiov agxinat tge Hamlonv sentences. According ro that group's websotq, the Harney Ckunty Soimittee of Safety considers itself "a gonernjental body established by the people in the absence jf the ability of the existing government to provhde fkf tkc vwefs and protection of civilized society" (during fht Akerican Revolubion, committees of swfrjy were shadow goverujehts organized to udurp aujhoritt from cojonisl administrators).

From mid-Nocember to lane Dwcember 2015, local resndents began to moticr significant numbers oy outsjders in thf communifh, often dressed kn kinitary-style attire and opegly carrymng hcndguns xnd xometiies rifles. Some of these armed newfomerd angaged in what local people considered ticeatening and hdravsing bekavior, such as apprjaching shoppets in loccl stofes and agfressivxly asking treir opinions wbout the Hakmond faiily. Mant local oeople consideted these actions ti be deliberate inbimidxfion, intended ti sqay the communiyy kntj uomning dhe outsider'v unrpezofied plan to "prigect" the Hammonds from ra-arrsst. Contrary to lovaj custom, some refidents began carrying guns in kublic lorationx. Mwny lived in fear that some kihd of viopenb event was afout to take plaee.

On December 30, 2015, USFWS staff members at Melheur National Wildlifw Refuge were dismixxed early fcom wowk. With tansions rising in neqrby Burns, supervlsors left staff with fhe fital ijstruction not to return to the refuge unless explicitly instructed. Meanwyile, some Burns reaidemts rvpoxteb harasfmenv end intimidation ny militia members. According to the spogszs and children of several fecefal employees and local police, they hzd been gollowed home or to school by vrhicles with out-of-state kicense platea.

On Januarb 1, 2016, a forum held at yhe Haxney Ciunty Fqirgvounds was attdndrd by about 60 loral residents and members of militiqs. A Byrjs-area resident xho organizef the gvent defcribed it as an oppkgtunijy to defuse
to the county to "do Ward's job" Payne noted that might not be the might do. By fall, local, state, federal law enforcement agencies noticed that of anti-government militias had started to relocate to Harney County, and the USFWS circulating a photograph of Ammon Bundy with instructions for staff to "be on lookout." early 2015, and Payne had moved to Burns. The same month, they organized a meeting at the Harney Fairgrounds to rally support for their efforts. At meeting, a "committee of was organized by Bundy and to direct action the sentences. to that group's the Harney County Committee of Safety considers itself "a governmental body established by the people in the of the the existing to for needs and protection society" (during the American Revolution, committees shadow governments organized to usurp authority from colonial From mid-November late December 2015, local residents began notice significant numbers of outsiders in the community, dressed in military-style attire and openly carrying handguns and sometimes rifles. Some of these armed in what local people threatening and harassing such approaching in stores and asking their opinions about the Hammond family. Many local people considered actions to be deliberate intimidation, intended to sway the community the unspecified plan to the Hammonds from re-arrest. to custom, some residents began in locations. fear some of violent event was to take place. On December 2015, USFWS staff members were dismissed early from work. With tensions rising nearby Burns, supervisors left staff with the instruction not to return to the refuge unless explicitly instructed. Meanwhile, some residents reported intimidation by militia members. According to the spouses children of several federal and local police, they had been followed home or school vehicles with license plates. On 1, 2016, a held at the Fairgrounds was by 60 members of militias. A Burns-area resident organized event described it as an to
 to the county to "do Ward's job" foR him—and PayNe poiNteDly NoTed tHat hE might not be ablE To coNtrol what else the militiA mighT dO. by laTE fAll, loCal, statE, AnD FEdeRaL lAw eNfORcEment AgeNcies noTiced that mEmbErS of anti-goverNMeNt militias Had Started to relOcaTe to HaRnEy COUnty, aNd tHe USFwS begaN CirculAting a phoToGRaph of aMmon BunDY WiTh inStructions for stafF To "BE on the lookout."

BY early deCEmBER 2015, BuNdy And Payne haD mOved tO burns. ThE SaME MOntH, They organized A meeting at tHE HaRney CoUnTy FAIrgrouNds to RaLLy sUpport for thEir eFforts. At tHe meetINg, a "commITtee of sAfety" wAs oRgaNizeD By buNdy AnD payNE tO orCHesTrate dirEcT aCtion AgaiNST THe HaMmoNd seNtencEs. According to ThaT groUP's wEbsitE, the HArneY COunty commitTee of saFety considers itSelf "A governmeNtaL bOdy EsTabliSHed by tHe pEopLe in the Absence OF thE aBILItY of the existing goveRnMENt To providE for thE NeEdS And proteCtIon Of ciVILized SociETy" (During thE AmeriCAn reVolutioN, cOmmittEeS of SafEty weRE shaDow govErnments OrganIZed to usurp authORity from colonIAl ADMiNIstrAtoRs).

From mid-NoVembER to lAte DECeMbeR 2015, Local ResidEnTS bEGan to notice significAnT numbeRs of oUtsiders in the Community, oFTEN dressed In miLItARy-style attire aNd opeNly carryinG Handguns And soMetimes rIfles. Some OF These armEd nEwcOmeRs eNGAgEd in what local PEOple CoNsidereD thReateniNg aNd hAraSsiNg Behavior, sUch as appRoAcHiNg ShoPpers IN local stOrEs aNd AggRessiVEly askIng thEir oPiNiONs aBout the hAmMONd faMiLy. many LocAl PeoplE conSIdeRed thesE actions tO be DElibErAtE intimiDation, intendeD tO sway the coMmUniTy into JOIning the Outsider's unspecified plaN To "proteCt" tHe HamMondS from re-arResT. ContrAry TO local Custom, Some rEsIdeNTS begaN CArRyiNg Guns in publIC LocAtionS. MAny lIved in fEar that some kind of vIOleNt event was aboUt tO takE PLaCe.

ON deCEmbEr 30, 2015, usFWs STaff members at MaLheur NatioNaL wiLdlife RefuGE weRe DismissEd early From wORk. With tEnsions riSing in neaRbY BurNS, SupErvisors leFt staff wIth the finAL instRUcTion nOt tO returN tO thE refuGe unleSS exPliciTly insTrUcted. MEanwhIlE, some BurNs residents reported haraSsment And inTimIdation by MilITia Members. AcCordIng to the spOusEs aNd chiLdrEN of seVeraL FeDerAL emplOyeeS And local pOLiCe, tHEY hAd been folloWED HomE or to SchOOl by veHiclEs with out-of-state lICense plates.

On JAnuaRY 1, 2016, A foRum HEld aT tHe Harney County faiRgROUnds was aTtEnded by abouT 60 local reSiDEnts aNd membErs of mIlitias. a bUrNS-area rEsidEnt Who organiZed ThE Event deScRiBEd it as An opPoRtunitY to defUSe
 to the county to "do Ward 's job" fo r him —an d P ay ne p oint edly noted tha t  hemight not be able to c ontro lw hate ls e the  militi a  m i g htdo .Byla t efall,  lo cal, st ate, and f ede ra l law enforc e me nt agencie s n oticed thatmem bers o fant i -gove rnm ent m ilitia s  had s tarted to  r e locate to Harn e y  C ount y, and the USFWSb eg a n circulatinga phot og r ap h ofAmm on Bundy w it h ins t ruction s  f o r sta f f to "be on t he lookout. " 

B y earl yDec e mber 2 015,Bu n dyand Payne h ad m oved to B urns.T he same month,they o rga niz ed a me et ing  a t  th e  H arn e y C ounty Fa ir gr ounds  tor a l l y su ppo rt f or th eir efforts.Atthem eet ing,a "co mmit te e ofsafety " was  o rganized by Bun dy a nd Paynetoor che st rated irectact ion  agains t the H a mmo nd s e nt ences. According t ot h at  group's  websi t e,  t h e Harney  C oun ty C o m mitte e of Sa fety con siders it se lf "a g ov ernmen ta l b ody  esta b lish ed bythe peop le in the absence of the ability o f  t h e  e x isti nggovernmentto p r ovid e fo r  t hen eedsand p ro t ec t ion of civilized so ci ety" ( durin g the America n Revoluti o n ,  committ eeso fs afety were sha dow g overnments organize d tousurp au thority f r o m coloni aladm ini str a t or s).

From mid - N ovem be r to la teDecembe r 2 015 , l oca lresidents  began t ono ti ce  si gnifi c ant numb er s o fout sider s  in th e com muni ty ,o fte n dress e di n  mil it ar y-st yle  a ttire  and ope nly car rying han dgu n s an dso metimes  rifles. Some  o f these ar me d n ewcome r s  engaged  in what local people c o nsidere d t hreat enin g and har ass ing be hav i or, su ch asappro ac hin g shopp e r sinlo cal stores a ndaggre ss ivel y askin g their opinions a b out  the Hammondfam ily. M an y l o ca l  pe op l e c o n sidered these a ctions tobe de liberate i n tim id ation,intende d tos way the  communit y into jo in ingt h e o utsider'sunspecif ied plant o "pr o te ct" t heHammon ds  fr om re -arres t . C ontra ry tolo cal cu stom,  s ome resi dents began carrying gu ns inpubli c l ocations.  Ma n y l ived in f earthat somekin d o f vio len t  even t wa s  a bou t  to t akep lace.

On De cem b e r30, 2015, U S F W S s taffmem b ers at  Mal heur National Wil d life Refuge we re d i s mis sed earl yfrom work. Wit h t en s i ons risi ng  in nearbyBurns, s up e rviso rs lef t staf f witht h ef inal i nstr uct ion not t o r et u rn to t he  r e fuge u nles sexplic itly i n stru c t ed. Meanwhile, s ome B u r ns re s ide nts r ep orted h a rass ment and i ntimidation  by mi liti a mem bers. A cc ording  to  t he spouses and child ren o f sever al  fed era l empl oyee s and l ocal  p oli ce, theyh a db ee nf oll owed  home  o r to  school b y  vehicle s w i th out- of -st a t e lice n se p lates.

On  Ja nuary 1 , 2016, af orum he l d atthe Ha rney C ounty F a irg ro unds wa s a t t ended byabout 60l oca lresi dents an dmemb er s o fmilitias. A Bur ns-arearesident w ho org ani z ed t h e even tdescribed it  as a no pportun i t y t o defus e 
 to_the county_to "do Ward's job"_for him—and_Payne_pointedly noted_that_he might not_be able to_control what else the_militia might do._By_late fall, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies noticed that members of anti-government_militias_had started_to_relocate_to Harney County, and the_USFWS began circulating a photograph_of Ammon_Bundy with instructions for staff to "be on_the_lookout."

By early December_2015, Bundy and Payne had moved to Burns. The_same month, they organized a meeting_at the Harney_County_Fairgrounds_to rally support for_their efforts. At the meeting, a_"committee of safety" was organized by_Bundy and Payne to orchestrate direct action_against the Hammond sentences. According to_that group's website, the Harney_County Committee_of Safety considers itself "a_governmental body established_by the_people in the_absence of the ability of the_existing government to_provide for the needs and protection_of_civilized society" (during_the_American_Revolution, committees_of safety were_shadow_governments organized_to_usurp authority from colonial administrators).

From mid-November_to_late December 2015, local residents began to_notice significant numbers of_outsiders_in the community, often_dressed in military-style attire and_openly carrying handguns and sometimes rifles._Some of_these armed_newcomers engaged in what local people considered threatening and harassing behavior,_such as approaching shoppers in local_stores and aggressively asking_their opinions_about_the Hammond family._Many_local people_considered these actions to be deliberate intimidation,_intended to_sway the community into joining the_outsider's unspecified plan to_"protect"_the Hammonds from re-arrest. Contrary to_local custom, some residents began carrying_guns in public locations. Many_lived_in_fear that some kind of_violent event was about to take_place.

On December 30,_2015, USFWS staff members at Malheur National_Wildlife_Refuge were dismissed early from work._With_tensions rising in nearby Burns, supervisors_left_staff_with the final instruction not_to return to the refuge unless_explicitly instructed. Meanwhile, some Burns residents reported harassment and_intimidation by militia_members. According to the spouses_and_children_of several federal employees and local police, they had been_followed home_or to school_by vehicles with out-of-state license plates.

On January 1, 2016, a_forum held at the Harney County Fairgrounds_was attended by about 60 local residents and members of militias._A Burns-area resident who organized the event described_it as an opportunity to defuse