Capitol protesters: 'Give Bundy the boot! Free Malheur!'

A group of 40 people showed up at the Capitol Tuesday to urge officials to kick out Ammon Bundy and the other militants who have been occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge since Jan. 2.

The Audubon Society organized protests across the state in support of the refuge, but no protest had been organized in Salem. So Cindy Birko and Meredith Taylor decided to create their own.

"Everybody is just so passionate about getting Bundy and his ilk out of there," said Birko, a Dallas resident. "We knew we just had to do something."

About 40 people stood out in the rain to show their support for public lands. Some carried signs that read things like, "Free Malheur! It is time for the squatters to leave!" and "We support Malheur NWR. Remove the illegal occupiers!" Others carried binoculars or other birding gear.

Everyone was given the chance to speak. Some encouraged participants to reach out to their legislators. Others talked about the impropriety of people using guns to get their message across. Some talked about how they weren't anti-rancher, but believed the land needs protecting.

"What's going to be next, Crater Lake? Who knows?" one speaker said.

The group sang the chorus to "This Land is Your Land" twice before chanting "Give Bundy the boot" and "Save our refuge."

Email khessel@statesmanjournal.com, call (503) 399-6743 or follow on Twitter @KaellenHessel