From: sheriffmack@hotmail.com
To: tstarks@questdatainc.com
Subject: Press release/cspoa statement
Date: Sun, 3 Jan 2016 18:09:20 -0700
CSPOA Press Release
Date: January 3, 2016
Submitted by: Sh Richard Mack
On
January 2, 2016, four of us representing the CSPOA attended the rally
in Burns, OR on behalf of the Hammond family. It was an extremely
frigid day and being outside was not fun or the least bit
comfortable. But the cause we were there to support was worth
enduring the inclement weather, so we persevered.
We
met at the Safeway parking lot and after a few instructions about
where we would be heading, we all started the march. The crowd was
estimated at approximately 6oo people. As we marched up the street
towards the Sheriff's Office the crowd looked massive as it
completely filled the street from side to side for over 2 ½ blocks.
It was inspiring!
There
were never any signs or chants supporting any kind of violence. The
large majority of the protesters was not armed. We stopped
briefly by the sheriffs office and threw hundreds of pennies on the
walk at the office front door. Many said the pennies represented a
“sellout” by the Harney County Sheriff for not stopping the
impending arrest of Dwight and Steve Hammond. There is no question
that the Hammonds' rights have been violated by the Federal
Government. However, the Hammonds did not want an armed confrontation
or violence of any kind, which coincides exactly with the CSPOA
platform. So we went there in complete support of the Hammonds and
their peaceful approach.
After
we passed the Sheriff's Office we went to the home of Susan and
Dwight Hammond. They came outside and waved as numerous protesters
laid flowers on their doorstep. A few of us spoke briefly with the
Hammonds and offered our support and apologies for what they were
going through. They were very gracious.
Then
suddenly, with no announcement to do so, the crowd broke out singing,
“Amazing Grace.” Yes this group of “radicals and extremists”
as the media has often called them, did a “radical” performance
of “Amazing Grace.”
As we
headed down the road Dwight Hammond, who has been sentenced to an
additional five years for a crime he has served time for and paid all
subsequent fines for, yelled to the crowd, “This is not about me,
this is about our country.”
Yes,
this is about our country, our liberty, and our sacred Constitution.
This is about federal agents who have done the same thing the
Hammonds have been charged with and for which they have received no
punishment whatsoever. How many times in America have federal
officers burned up forests and neighborhoods due to their “controlled
burns” ending up out of control? The answer is simple; dozens and
dozens and all the time!
But
the Hammonds have conducted themselves with class and humility. They
have exemplified strength, courage, and dignity. We should emulate
their patriotic and peaceful spirit and stand with them as they go
through this unspeakable federal victimization.
We
should allow nothing to detract from the Hammonds' plight and the
wonderful rally that was held in their honor. The Hammonds had tears
in their eyes as they viewed the huge crowd of well-wishers and
thanked each of us for our support. Thus, for the record, CSPOA does
not support or condone the occupation by those individuals who have
taken over the Federal Wildlife building just outside Burns, OR. With
all our hearts we appeal to all those occupying the Federal facility
to immediately vacate the building and to go home to their families!
Local
officials, including the Harney County Sheriff, are still working for
a peaceful resolution on the Hammonds' behalf. We will continue to
work and pray for its success.
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