Among those participating in the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon are Ryan Payne, an army veteran from Anaconda. Payne drew attention to Montana’s militia movement in 2014 when he went to Nevada to defend Cliven Bundy in a dispute over federal grazing fees.
The Montana Human Rights Network monitors anti-government militias in the state. MTPR’s Katie Riordan spoke with its co-director Rachel Carroll Rivas.
Rachel Carroll Rivas is co-director the Montana Human Rights Network.
Montana Public Radio reached out to the local chapter of the Oath Keepers, a militia group. They did not return calls for comment. National Oath Keeper leaders have said via social media that they will not act in solidarity with the protestors in Oregon.
