Approximately 40 protesters gathered outside Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters on Friday asking for Sheriff Doug Gillespie to intervene and “protect the people” involved in the Cliven Bundy cattle dispute.
The gathering organized by tea party supporters called for Gillespie to “do his job” and protect the Bundy family from the federal government.
“Sheriff Gillespie is the top elected law enforcement officer in Clark County and he has abdicated his role as sheriff leaving the people of Clark County void of protection from abuse by the federal government,” said Connie Foust, president of the Virgin Valley Tea Party in Mesquite and co-organizer of the protest.
Organizers also called for peaceful civil disobedience, and for supporters from Nevada and outside the state to leave their weapons at home, and not to wear camouflage.
Supporters of Bundy are upset at the tactics used by agents of the Bureau of Land Management during the round up of the family’s cattle, including the arrest of one of Bundy’s sons, Dave Bundy, on Sunday by federal agents for “refusing to disperse” and resisting address.
On Wednesday, video footage emerged of a clash between angry protesters and BLM rangers that shows Cliven Bundy’s sister being tackled to the ground, and another son being shot with a stun gun.
Two brothers from St. George, Utah, were detained and cited by federal authorities Thursday for trespassing after intentionally crossing beneath a gate blocking the road to Overton Beach. The BLM also abandoned planned so-called “First Amendment areas” on Thursday after criticism from elected officials including Gov. Brian Sandoval.
Protesters on Friday said they had heard rumors of federal snipers in the hills around the ranch and roundup, as well as the removal of water tanks pushing the cattle to the river, causing some of the cattle to die.
“We need to hold our local and federal officials responsible for their actions or inactions,” Foust said. “Free speech zones are not acceptable. Snipers are not acceptable. Intimidation is not acceptable.”
The BLM said the security measures were taken after threats of violence made by Bundy family members and others.
The bureau has temporarily closed off nearly 600,000 acres of public land to round up of more than 900 head of cattle. Bundy, whose ranch is approximately 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas, left his livestock on the land but hasn’t paid federal grazing fees since 1993. Amy Lueders, state director of the BLM in Nevada, said this week Bundy owes nearly $1 million.
Niger Innis, a Republican candidate for Nevada Congressional District 4, told the crowd the “federal officials are being abusive” and violating people’s civil rights.
But Innis urged all protesters — including so-called militia members who have said they are coming from outside Nevada — to remain peaceful and leave their weapons at home.