Center for Biological Diversity


Media Advisory, January 19, 2016

Contacts:  Tim Blount, Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, (541) 493-2612 x 4225
Candy Henderson, (678) 314-7239
Kieran Suckling, Center for Biological Diversity, (520) 275-5960

Rally at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to Call for Keeping Public Lands Public

Harney County Rally Will Be Joined by at Least 10 Others in Towns, Cities
Across Oregon, Washington, Idaho

BURNS, Ore.— The Friends of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and Center for Biological Diversity are sponsoring a rally on the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge today to celebrate the importance of America's visionary public-lands system and highlight political and armed militia efforts to take those lands away from the American people.

The rally will feature Candy Henderson, who though she underwent breast cancer surgery several weeks ago and is still undergoing intensive treatment drove several hundred miles to the Malheur when she learned of the Bundy militia’s takeover. She has been camping ever since in a small tent in the rain, snow and freezing temperatures to show her commitment to keep our public lands public for all Americans. She attends the Bundy militia’s daily press briefing to speak up for the importance of public land and the extraordinary beauty and wildlife of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

“I’ll leave when the militia leaves,” Henderson said, “they cannot keep Americans from their public lands with the barrel of a gun.”

“The Malheur is a national jewel,” said Tim Blount, executive director of the Friends of the Malheur. “It belongs to everyone and must stay part of America's wonderful public lands heritage to be enjoyed by future generations.”

Where:  Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
“Narrows Pullout” Bird-watching Parking Area
Highway 205, Mile Marker 22 (22 miles south of Burns)
Google Map point: https://goo.gl/maps/YF1YJQgX4qx
   
When Jan. 19, 2016, 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.
   
Who Birdwatchers, wildlife and nature enthusiasts, and supporters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, national wildlife refuge system and America's public lands

Friends of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was founded in 1999 to conserve, enhance, and restore fish and wildlife habitat and cultural history in the Harney Basin in southeast Oregon through the support of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge staff and programs. It assists the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in providing wildlife-dependent educational and recreational opportunities while enhancing public knowledge and appreciation of the Refuge mission. It also advocates for support of the Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 990,000 members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.


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