Hundreds gather for discussion

The stage at the Old Paradise School has seen its fair share of semi-famous musicians and performers since becoming a public venue – but none have carried the reputation, ideals and sheer number of hours on national television as the most recent visitor.

Cliven Bundy visited the Old Paradise School on Saturday to share his family's story of grazing fee evasion, constitutional protection of private property, skirmishes with federal agents, and armed takeovers of federal facilities as a form of protest have become the stuff of legend for conservatives leaning toward the extreme right of the political spectrum.

Members of the Ryan family from Plains worked with other volunteers Saturday to ready the old school building for what was expected to be a "standing room only" event. Roxanne Ryan emceed the evening to introduce speakers. Their son Jake had been arrested at the standoff at Malheur Bird Sanctuary, but could not be present due to pre-trial release conditions.

Workshops covering the Constitution, history of law and concepts of property began at noon. The classes featured speakers like Shauna Cox, who proved to be well-versed in the areas of law history and the Constitution. Knowledge of law became a survival tool for Cox, who was taken into custody following a one-sided firefight with federal agents, which resulted in the killing of a friend and "student of Cliven," LaVoy Finicum. Workshop speakers expounded to a nearly empty room most of the day but as the time drew nearer for the feature presentation, a steady flow of people filed in. Parked cars for the event stretched in a line on both sides of the street from the school down to the highway, while some arrived by horseback.

More than 200 people packed into the converted school to hear the lineup of conservative speakers highlighted for the evening. Plenty in attendance were from out of the county. No fewer than six armed body guards with noisy earpieces were posted around the room, as well as a few milling in and out from backstage. A small number of vocal detractors were handily outnumbered by supporters. Setting the tone was the warm welcoming of visitors and thanks for support by Mrs. Ryan. The greeting was followed by an admonishment, "for those undercover federal agents in the room, we know who you are."

Bundy entered to a standing ovation dressed in a western cut suit, a cowboy hat and a lapel pin reading: NOT GUILTY. If detractors were "booing" they could not be heard over the cheers, although Bundy-skeptic Doug Ferrell noted, "No court has found him 'not guilty.' His case was dismissed due to errors by the prosecutors."

Cliven Bundy was finally summoned to the microphone, he approached with the typical slow swagger of a seasoned rancher who is never in a hurry. As a speaker, he is more of a question asker than a proselytizer - leaving the audience to fill in his blanks. He asked, "Now, why would I be mad at the federal government? Who should I really be mad at?" The first to shout from the crowd offered a predictable answer, "Obama!" More answers followed as the list of conservative favorite culprits were rattled off: Hillary, the Clinton Foundation, George Soros, socialists, etc. "Nope. I should be upset with my branding inspector," Bundy said. "I pay him a fee to protect my brand." Bundy noted that next in line on his grudge list should be the sheriff, considered to be the supreme law of the land in the Sheriffs First philosophy.

Bundy asked if the sheriff was present, and although Sanders County Sheriff Tom Rummel was invited, he did not attend. Bundy then advised the audience to respect their county government, adding, "If I would risk my life for it, I would expect my sheriff to, as well. If I wouldn't risk my own life for it, then I wouldn't expect my sheriff to, either."

Bundy stayed on topic, never went off-script and kept a level demeanor. Those who were expecting the rowdiness of a Trump rally had come to the wrong place. The rest of Bundy's message was on the topic of thankfulness (for support and prayers), love (for each other and enemies), and forgiveness (ironically, of those who trespass against us).

Senator Jennifer Fielder also expressed support for the Bundy cause after research into misdeeds by the federal government and their handling of the situation. Fielder acknowledged the fear of politicians, but assured the crowd there are good ones, especially in the Montana Legislature, naming Representative Theresa Manzella of Ravalli County, who was in the crowd in support of the spirit of the evening. Fielder also gave a sneak peek into a resolution she will be putting before the President and Congress to look into wrongful federal charges placed on various ranchers.

A short question session was open to the on-stage panel, where the subject of public lands transfer was questioned and hand-in-hand appearance of the "you have no authority" movement and the "you have our land, give it back" efforts. One questioner brought up the unpopularity of the public lands transfer movement, to which Fielder (who is also CEO of the group pushing that agenda, the American Lands Council in Utah) argued it is a popular idea.

"All I heard was a bunch of prayers and legal mumbo jumbo meant to justify ignoring our nation's laws, and to justify Bundy's 'freedom' to use our public resources as they see fit," said Ferrell of Trout Creek, who attended the meeting. Ferrell was bothered that the two Bundys and other speakers affirmed that they believe they were in the right to assemble groups of armed men to threaten anyone who challenges their natural right to act as a sovereign state. He felt the event confirms that "the people who support transfer of our public lands, and the people who support the armed takeover of our public lands, are closely connected."

Even so, Fielder insists the lands transfer movement is the will of the people. Bundy's reasoning is summed up in what he calls his Fifteen Second Defense: "I only grazed my cattle on Clark County land. I do not have a contract with the federal government." He stated that he does not recognize the authority of the federal government and encouraged other ranchers to not continue with the required grazing contracts with the feds.

Sibling of the accused, Jubal Ryan, sang part of the National Anthem. He said he chose the third verse because it was apropos to the court's dismissal of Bundy's case – it also happens to be the only historically controversial stanza in the tune due to alleged racial undertones. "No refuge could save the hireling and slave, From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave."

An opening prayer was given by Cliven's son, Ryan Bundy. His Mormon upbringing was evident in his benediction delivery - it was also foreshadowing of his father's choice of words later in the evening. Ryan Bundy was at ease in front of the crowd.

"Governments are created for the benefit of man. Many try to paint us as 'anti-government'," Ryan Bundy said. "We are very in favor of a government which operates properly. We must be men and women of morality. We must be able and capable of governing ourselves."

Andrea Parker took the stage next, recounting her nightmare and uncertainty while navigating the legal system when her husband, Erik, was trapped after heeding the Bundy's call for assistance in 2014. Parker claimed that shady and underhanded tactics were used (and commonly used) to demoralize the accused and create the most hardship to an inmate's family. Parker became the defacto videographer of the movement, and it was noted that cameras became the most effective weapon against a federal prosecutorial team that did not "play by the rules." Erik was initially facing 11 felony charges and possible life in prison, but after plenty of time and legal maneuvering he is looking at a misdemeanor and probation.

Many in the area know Billy Hill, as he has a long history of running for sheriff and jokingly admits that once he begins telling his decades long saga "going rounds with the feds," it is hard to get him to stop. After recounting part of his story, Hill explained his organization, Coalition of Western Property Owners (COWPO), hopes to be nationwide in the vein of the Bundy constitutionalist ideology.

Shawna Cox shared her recollection of the day Finicum was shot and killed near Malheur Bird Sanctuary. She said it was a staged ambush by numerous federal agents hiding in the trees after their vehicle narrowly missed colliding with a vehicle barricade. She recalled the bad omen felt when the media vacated the area.

"It was our darkest hour. ... It is never a good thing when the media just disappears. ... The media had left us after accusing Cliven of being racist," Cox said. Cliven Bundy was caught on camera suggesting that maybe African-Americans were better off under slavery.

Cox's version of the story gave a very different perspective from what the public saw on live television from the overhead view of a law enforcement helicopter. While trapped in a snow-stuck vehicle, Cox took video with her cellphone. Finicum lying dead in the snow where she could not see him. Cox's video is full of the sound of gunfire, shattering windows and sighted lasers sporadically sweeping the interior of the SUV, while a terrified teenager and a frustrated Ryan Bundy endured gas that was shot into the vehicle. Cox said the passengers did not have faith they would not be shot down, even with their hands up.