By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
The FBI has taken over the investigation into the armed occupation of a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon and has pledged to work with state and local authorities for “a peaceful solution to the situation,” The Washington Post reports.
How the FBI will reach that resolution is unclear because federal authorities have declined to elaborate.
The occupiers also said Monday that they are confident that law enforcement won’t try to forcibly remove them from the refuge.
The protesters were rallying against the arson conviction of two local ranchers, Dwight Hammond and his son, Steven, who reported to federal prison Monday.
“Due to safety considerations for both those inside the refuge as well as the law enforcement officers involved, we will not be releasing any specifics with regards to the law enforcement response,” the FBI said in a statement.
