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The Latest: Bundy attends tense community meeting

Posted January 20, 2016 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Demonstrators, including environmentalists, bird watchers and sportsmen, gather in front the Statehouse to protest against the recent occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Oregon by group of armed activists, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, in Boise, Idaho. More than 100 protesters gathered calling for the arrest and prosecution of the group for taking over public land. (AP Photo/Kimberlee Kruesi) The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The latest on an armed group that took over buildings at a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon (all times local):

9 p.m.

The leader of an armed group who took over a national wildlife refuge in southeastern Oregon weeks ago attended a tense community meeting and listened as residents chanted at him to "go, go, go."

Ammon Bundy didn't speak at the Tuesday night meeting in Burns for residents to talk about the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge which began earlier this month.

Some of the several hundred community members spoke to Bundy directly. One thanked him for raising awareness around issues of public lands, but told him it's time to go home to his family.

Many others were less congenial and voiced anger at Bundy's group as well as the local and federal government for what some said was a lack of effort to end the takeover.

Bundy and his small posse left after the meeting without incident.

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2:10 p.m.

Hundreds of people chanting "birds not bullies" rallied in Portland, Oregon, to demand that an armed group end its occupation of a national wildlife refuge.

The rally on Tuesday was organized by Oregon Wild, Portland Audubon and the Center for Biological Diversity. It was one of several held around the state by conservation groups.

Rally attendees - birders, hikers, and nature lovers - demanded the government remove the group occupying the refuge and condemned its members as criminals. They said the refuge is a haven for many species.

Eileen Wynkoop, a Portland retiree, said she wants total access to the refuge outside Burns to enjoy the birds.

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1 p.m.

More than 100 people have staged a rally in Boise, Idaho, to protest the occupation of a national wildlife refuge in Oregon by an armed group.

Sportsmen, environmentalists and bird watchers gathered in front of the Idaho Capitol on Tuesday to demand that Ammon Bundy and his group cease their occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

They disagree with Bundy's demand that the refuge - a popular place for birdwatchers and hunters - be turned over to local residents.

Conservation groups have organized similar rallies for Tuesday in Portland and Eugene.

Bundy is a son of rancher Cliven Bundy, who was involved in a 2014 Nevada standoff with the federal government over grazing rights.

Gene Bray shows off his bullhorn in front the Statehouse during a protest against the recent occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Oregon by group of armed activists, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, in Boise, Idaho. More than 100 protesters, including environmentalists, bird watchers and sportsmen gathered calling for the arrest and prosecution for taking over public land. (AP Photo/Kimberlee Kruesi) The Associated Press

Gene Bray, left, shows off his bullhorn in front the Statehouse during a protest against the recent occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Oregon by group of armed activists, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, in Boise, Idaho. More than 100 protesters, including environmentalists, bird watchers and sportsmen gathered calling for the arrest and prosecution for taking over public land. (AP Photo/Kimberlee Kruesi) The Associated Press

Steve and Carol Hoke, of Eagle, Idaho, hold signs protesting the recent occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Oregon by group of armed activists, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, in Boise, Idaho. A group of about 100 people gathered in front of the Statehouse calling for the arrest and prosecution of the group for taking over public land. (Darin Oswald/Idaho Statesman via AP) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT (KTVB 7); MANDATORY CREDIT The Associated Press

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