The Bundy Ranch Protest Reunion: 11 Years Later • The MV Progress
We were so grateful to have members of the Bundy family, neighbors, dedicated supporters, and our friends in the press all come together.
Our little gathering on this year’s April 5th event primarily brought together key individuals bound by their shared experiences in the Bundy saga.
The attendees included a few who were present at the Bundy Ranch standoff in 2014, and participated in the Las Vegas trial of 2017/18 – played various roles as defendants, defense team members, or supporters during the Oregon trial.
We also welcomed two reporters from Las Vegas, Bryan Howath of the Review-Journal and Tyler Schneider from the Sun (and photographers, [(RJ) L.E. Baskow - (Sun) Steve Marcus] as they joined longtime Bundy family supporters who have shown their support online and in person.
When federal agents confronted Cliven over his so-called grazing fees on public land, he said that he felt like the “last man standing.”
It's fascinating to see how Cliven Bundy's story has captured so much attention! He's been the “Rancher that stood” to a wide array of newspaper and magazine articles, asI well as countless news segments covering this long-standing debate.
Two notable book-length accounts offer distinct perspectives. Betsy Gaines Quammen's American Zion: Cliven Bundy, God and Public Lands in the West originated as her PhD dissertation, providing an academic lens to the account.
In contrast, Michael Stickler's Cliven Bundy: American Patriot plunges you the reader directly into a gripping and highly debated chapter of American history through Cliven Bundy's own voice. The book illuminates the events of the 2014 Bundy Ranch standoff, the family's determined pursuit of justice, and the larger questions surrounding individual liberty and government oversight that the case ignited.
Looking Ahead. R.G. Miller's anticipated book series, A Family of Courage: The Bundy Family’s Hard Stand Volume I, featuring a foreword by Carol Bundy, suggests another insightful examination of this intricate individual and his lineage. His second Volume, The Bundy Family’s Hard Stand Volume II: USA vs. Cliven Bundy, et al, is about the Las Vegas trial in 2017/2018.
I've forged a deep connection with the authors of the previous three books. Our extensive conversations have blossomed into a rich friendship, revealing that, while our perspectives may sometimes diverge, we still share a fundamental understanding of many important issues.
The standoff involved a tense situation when federal agents armed and in combat gear, stood against fellow Americans with the intent to start a shooting war.
Even though Bundy felt a strong urge to join the front lines, he was guided by a spiritual message to let "We the People" handle the situation, highlighting the importance of citizen action.
He also made it clear that the core issue was not with the federal government, but with the county sheriff who failed to protect his rights against federal bureaucrats who were overstepping their constitutional bounds.
Essentially, Cliven Bundy's view of the April 2014 standoff was a victory for individual liberty and citizen responsibility in the face of government overreach, where ultimately the citizens achieved a victory against government intrusion into individual liberty and land-use rights granted by the state of Nevada.
Cliven recalled having a sense of hopefulness that he was not the “last man standing” after he was joined by hundreds of We the People from across America on April 12, 2014.
Conflicts over land use and resource management have a history in the United States. For example, the case of Wayne Hage, Sr., the father of the Sagebrush Rebellion, brought such disputes to light.
(RANGE TYRANNY Hage v. U.S. ☆ The Bundy Saga ☆ Enemies Of The State, The Hammonds https://reallibertymedia.com/range-tyranny-2 )
The legal battles involving the Hammonds in Oregon gained significant notoriety, as well. This particular situation garnered the attention of figures like Ryan and Ammon Bundy, as well as LaVoy Finicum, and motivated many individuals to rally in support of the Hammond family against government overreach, ultimately culminating in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation.
The occupation ended with the arrest of the Bundy brothers and other participants. Tragically, the standoff also resulted in the death of LaVoy Finicum during an encounter with the FBI and Oregon State Police.
This situation evokes a history of disputes between the Department of the Interior and the US Department of Agriculture and against ranching families. It's important to note that this onslaught continues today with the Maude Hog and Cattle family currently facing legal challenges from the Department of the Interior, including charges that could result in significant prison sentences and substantial fines.
(This article was submitted on Monday; on the same day, news arrived of Federal Judge Camela Theeler's order dismissing the indictments against Charles and Heather Maude, Maude Hog and Cattle.)
The Bundy family's victory at what some call "The Battle of Bunkerville" wasn't simply the culmination of a two-decade dispute with the Bureau of Land Management. Its roots lie in a broader struggle over land control, tracing back to the range wars of the early 20th century, and with the passage of the Taylor Grazing Act in 1934.
In 1946, President Truman consolidated the Grazing Service and the General Land Office, giving rise to the BLM. This new agency quickly transitioned its focus from primarily supporting grazing rights to implementing regulations and often restricting activities on the public lands under its management.
Now with nearly 250 million acres of surface resources and 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estates in its clutches, the nation’s most powerful land-management agency constitutes nothing less than the ultimate land grab.
The full scope of what transpired following these events is too extensive to recount here. However, in brief, Cliven Bundy returned to ranching after his 700-day imprisonment concluded with a dismissal in 2018.
Ammon Bundy's subsequent activism for parental rights led to bankruptcy after the Baby Cyrus incident in Idaho.
Most troublingly, the circumstances of LaVoy Finicum's death during the Malheur occupation remain unresolved, with widespread accusations of an ambush/setup.
The future of the Bundy Ranch may well be embodied by nine-year-old Roper Cox, Cliven’s grandson, of whose grit and work ethic rival that of a seasoned cowboy. My observations of him, on the open range two years past to YouTube glimpses, and recent encounters at the Bundy Ranch Rodeo, and watching him work cattle on the farm, confirm this. Even when a cow unexpectedly pinned him down and stomped on him, his immediate reaction was a wide grin and the question, "Did you get that on film?" Roper truly reflects the resilient spirit nurtured by this Southern Nevada desert land.
In reflection, it was quite a whirlwind of a week, fueled by perhaps a bit too much ambition and optimism, to try and organize a gathering with less than a week to pull it all together. But I must say, it turned out to be a surprisingly successful event.
It was truly heartwarming to see nearly three dozen people join us on such short notice. We were so grateful to have members of the Bundy family, neighbors, dedicated supporters, and our friends in the press all come together.
A heartfelt thank you goes to the Bundy family for their incredible hospitality. We were treated to a truly exceptional meal featuring their renowned Bundy Beef. Mrs. Bundy's slow-cooked roast was simply divine, and the Dutch-oven creation from Camp Cook Cowboys, Arden Bundy and Cache Burnside, was a real treat. We also deeply appreciated all the delicious side dishes, from the fresh salads to the delightful cakes and everything in between."
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• The Bundy Ranch Protest Reunion: 11 Years Later • The MV Progress On Newsstands Locally Wednesday April the 30th 2025 • Available Online: https://mvprogress.com
https://tinyurl.com/BundyRanch11YearsLater
Today marks a special occasion: my first ever newspaper article has been published online!
Interestingly, it shares its debut with Cliven Bundy's 79th birthday today.
Gallery
Most Famous Cowboys of All Time ☆ #7 is Bundy Ranch Cowboy, Cliven Bundy who turns 79 today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Cliven Bundy!! 🥳 THE TOUGHEST COWBOY IN ALL OF AMERICA!!
Vincent Easley II RealLibertyMedia.com 501-253-0622 vincentrayeasleyii@gmail.com
Mesa Valleys Progress
• The Bundy Ranch Protest Reunion: 11 Years Later
• The MV Progress On Newsstands Locally Wednesday April the 30th 2025
• Available Online: https://mvprogress.com