Bundy ranch dispute with federal land agency draws variety of foot soldiers

Cliven Bundy’s fight with the Bureau of Land Management over the federal agency’s roundup of his cattle attracted a diverse group of foot soldiers: fellow ranchers, Las Vegans and militia and patriot groups were among them. Their battle cry is the U.S. Constitution and liberty. They fear the federal government overstepping its bounds at every turn. This concern, in their view, applies to those from all walks of life, be it a rural Southern Nevada rancher or a militia member from northern Montana. Ultimately, the Bundy protest — which was defused Saturday when federal land officials agreed to end the weeklong roundup that culminated in a 20-minute standoff between armed protesters and law enforcement officers — became an outlet for those wanting to voice their opinions about government overreach and any perceived infringement of constitutional rights. Armed militia members wore holstered weapons and mingled with cowboy-hatted ranchers throughout the week. Tents popped up across the landscape and vehicles became temporary bunks as the Bundy ranch, about 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas, turned into a gathering place for traveling pilgrims from across the nation. Bundy’s standoff with the federal government, which captured national attention, gave the protesters plenty of nonlethal ammunition for their arguments against federal oversight. The BLM’s so-called “First Amendment areas” — marked-off areas designated for protesters — drew scorn from allies of Bundy, whose family has ranched the land since the 1870s. Eventually the BLM dismantled them, but not before protesters put together signs reminding passers-by that the First Amendment is in the U.S. Constitution, not in an area. “I feel like we made history today,” said Neal Wampler, 66, of Los Osos, Calif., on Saturday. Wampler made the drive to the ranch from California. He brought no weapons. “I myself am willing to be shot and killed for constitutional rights and principles,” said Wampler, a Navy veteran. Wampler is a member of Oath Keepers, a national organization founded by Yale constitutional law scholar Stewart Rhodes, who was a staffer for Ron Paul, a former Texas congressman who unsuccessfully pursued the Republican nomination for president in 2008 and 2012. Oath Keepers is an association of current and former members of the military and law enforcement. Plenty of people at the Bundy ranch didn’t have ties to any organization. “I try to go to any rally, anything that’s constitutional and stands up for our liberties,” said Paul Vargas, 34, a factory worker from Las Vegas who was at the protest area on Friday. As for the government’s role in the conflict, he said, “They’re just testing the waters to see how easy it is. I worry about big government taking away our freedom and liberties.”...more