After more than a month of intense standoffs with authorities, the last four members of the anti-government protesters who barricaded themselves in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon might finally be on the verge of surrendering, according to Reuters.
Though negotiations with the final four occupiers are still ongoing, federal agents have nonetheless surrounded the area where the anti-government armed protesters are located. As of writing, reports say that FBI agents have moved to within 50 yards of the occupiers.
The last four occupiers, identified as David Fry, Jeff Banta, and husband and wife Sean and Sandy Anderson, have been adamant in their protest, even after the leader of the occupiers, Ammon Bundy, was arrested. Another protester, Robert "LaVoy" Finicum, a rancher who was sympathetic to the group's goals, was killed in a violent confrontation with authorities, reports RT News.
After 40 days in the refuge, the final four might finally be on the verge of raising the white flag. Negotiators have been trying to coax the occupiers out of hiding, but Sandy Anderson, speaking for the remaining occupiers in the refuge, stated that they are not leaving without any means to defend themselves.
"We're not leaving without our weapons," she said.
The FBI, however, has allegedly provided the occupiers with specific instructions as to how they must surrender.
"We have to walk to them with our hands raised, no weapons, I told them we'll be carrying an American flag," one of the occupiers said, according to Breaking News.
The occupation of the Malheur refuge was originally - per the protesters - a means to protest against federal land management in the area. It was also reportedly a means to show anger over the arson convictions of two ranchers who were sentenced under an anti-terror law.
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