Armed protesters take over US wildlife refuge
A group of armed men have taken over a wildlife outpost in the US state of Oregon leading to a standoff with the authorities.
The men took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge following a rally in support of members of a local family who are facing jail for arson.
In an interview posted on Facebook, Ammon Bundy, who is among the group, said the men were "out here because the people have been abused long enough".
Mr Bundy accused government agencies of taking land and said the group would only leave the facility "when the people of Harney County can use the land and resources without being put in fear".
Dave Ward, the Harney County sheriff, told people to stay away from the building as authorities work to defuse the situation, according to a report by the Oregonian.
The standoff is provoking much discussion on Twitter under the hashtag #OregonUnderAttack, with many questioning why there has not been a more forceful government response to the incident.
The occupation appears to be linked to the case of local residents Dwight Hammond and his son Steven.
The pair were served time in jail for arson three years ago after setting fires that got out of control, but a judge recently ruled their sentences were too short and ordered them to return to jail.
The two intend to report peacefully to prison on 4 January, as ordered by the judge, according to ABC News.