Update, 11:20 am:
IT IS OVER!
The last standoff holdout, David Fry, walked out unharmed and was just arrested. Frye told negotiators he'd come out if the cops outside waiting for him yelled "hallelujah." They (mercifully) did and Frye actually complied, walking out of the building.
The other three occupiers—Jeff Banta, Sean Anderson, and Sandy Anderson—walked out of the refuge and into police custody earlier this morning without all the histrionics Fry performed.
One of the negotiators on the phone with Frye immediately started sobbing and said she needs a "hot tub and a massage." I think we all do.
I'll even give a "hallelujah" to the fact that this is over: HALLELUJAH! If you're just tuning in, here's the play-by-play from the last 12 or so hours. Now let's all get back to real life.
Original post, 10 am:
The agonizingly boring standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Malheur County is ramping up, finally. Here is what you need to know right now:
It started last night as federal agents descended on the refuge.
FBI says no shots have been fired, negotiations ongoing at Malheur refuge #Oregonstandoff https://t.co/LH1veUA3Zq pic.twitter.com/8vRR8DNWAr
— KGW News (@KGWNews) February 11, 2016
.@thomasboyd photo from outside Malheur National Wildlife Refuge tonight. Lights are seen from the Narrows roadblock pic.twitter.com/9kiuIPDZi8
— Maxine Bernstein (@maxoregonian) February 11, 2016
As most of the world knows, the standoff began January 2 when a group of armed men, including Ammon and Ryan Bundy, took over the vacant refuge, saying they were prepared to stay for years. They demanded the release of father-son duo Dwight, 73, and Steven Hammond, 46, who sit in a California federal prison on an arson conviction. They occupiers also demanded the federal government 'return' federal lands to ranchers.
At 10 pm Wednesday, the Oregonian reported that what appears to be the "last stage" of the five hour exchange between federal agents and the remaining occupiers came to an end. A live stream of a phone conversation cut off, with the occupiers promising to surrender Thursday morning.
On the phone with the holdouts bunkered down in the desert was Nevada Assemblywoman Michele Fiore (R), who flew in from her home state to negotiate. Here is the full recording of the phone call:
The "gun-toting, calendar-posing politician" kept things calm on the refuge, but it's worth mentioning that she's a pretty salty character herself, who apparently believes that cancer is a fungus that can be cured with salt water and baking soda. She has said she's "not okay with Syrian refugees" and once called an "African American lawmaker 'colored.'" Hmmmm.
But back to the standoff. After a good rest, the negotiators are back at it. And, thanks to modern technology, you can live stream it here:
The negotiations appear to be organized and peaceful, according to the latest Twitter reports:
Blaine Cooper, one of first #OregonStandoff occupiers, has been arrested, wife says. https://t.co/sQToTP9VQe
— The Oregonian (@Oregonian) February 11, 2016
"We're fine" says Sean during brief interruption in Hall monologue; location still unclear #Oregonstandoff
— Dave Killen (@killendave) February 11, 2016
Sandy will walk out first to meet a female agent. Then the others will walk out. Sean advises them to keep hands visible. #Oregonstandoff
— John Tierney (@jtierney6) February 11, 2016
Meanwhile, back in Portland, Ammon and Ryan Bundy's dad, Cliven Bundy is sitting in Multnomah County Jail. The sheriff's office released this mugshot:
Cliven Bundy, 74, was arrested Wednesday night as he arrived at Portland International Airport. He faces the same felony conspiracy charges as his two sons as well as weapons charges related to a 2014 standoff at his ranch in Nevada.