On January 19, Ranch Matters (RM) published a Press Release/Statement we received from local People’s Rights leader, BJ Soper. According to Soper, the Press Release was also sent to Central Oregon Daily News/KOHD and DA Hummel.

Last week KOHD reported that Deschutes County Sheriff Shane Nelson agreed to speak to the Central Oregon Chapter of the People’s Rights group. The title of their story: “Deschutes Co. Sheriff accepts invite to speak to controversial group.”

Soper told RM, “…the Bend Bulletin posted a story originally run by Central Oregon Daily News about our People’s Rights meeting with Sheriff Nelson. The Bulletin took and included an inflammatory statement from DA John Hummel, describing his personal feelings about our group, for which we feel deserves some public attention. We have issued a public response to that statement, yet Mr. Andrews at the Bulletin, the reporter who took Hummel’s statement, doesn’t want to include our reply into the record…”

DA Hummel statements carry the full weight and power of his office. When he speaks people listen. Accusing any group of being “anti-American and dangerous” especially since the January 6, 2021 event at the Capital along with the inauguration on January 20, news reports have been replete with warnings and bulletins specifically related to Trump supporters as “domestic terrorist.”

The current political climate (nationally & locally) is littered with confusion, fear and threats tied to government edicts and mandates. Unpopular opinions, especially related to government responses are being dealt with an Iron Fist.

REWIND

On January 31, 2021, RM published a story titled,

“SILENT (SP) EYES OF SALEM”

where we asked, does the State of Oregon conduct formalized intelligence activities on its citizens? We also introduced the Oregon TITAN FUSION CENTER (OTFC) based out of Salem as Oregon’s own particular intelligence center.

According to Titan’s website, “Data fusion involves the exchange of information from different sources-including law enforcement, public safety, health care and the private sector…”

Their mission statement: “OTFC mission is to protect Oregon citizens from terrorist and criminal activity by providing an all-crimes criminal information. Clearinghouse supported by multiple agencies a Fusion Liaison Officer (FLO) program.”

Does Deschutes County have an assigned Fusion Liaison Officer?

Our story covered public oversight concerns and the potential for the abuse of citizens personal information and Civil Rights.

About a year ago, Alejandro Mayorkas, was officially sworn in as Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS).

Secretary Mayorkas stated initially his office will prioritize what he described as domestic terrorism. He explained: “DHS has increased the development, production, and sharing of intelligence and other information central to counter domestic violent extremism. We have done so in PARTNERSHIP WITH STATE (Fusion Centers), local, tribal and territorial officials; law enforcement, the private sector (BIG TECH) and international allies.”

Mayorkas attributes the so-called increase in domestic attacks to “white-supremacists, anti- government and anti-authority extremists” while neglecting to specifically mention months of nightly riots, looting and arson by Antifa and Black Lives Matter (BLM).

“ANTI-AMERICAN & DANGEROUS”?

Mayorkas believes the First Amendment or free speech is another area that needs monitored because it could be utilized by some of the extremists as a “disguise” or cover for inciting violence.

Matthew G. Olsen from the US Department of Justice and head of the department’s National Security Division, announced on January 11, 2022, the establishment of a special domestic terrorism unit. Olsen testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee and stated, “The threat posed by domestic terrorism is on the rise.”

Jill Sandborn, the head of the FBI’s National Security Branch, also testified and described domestic extremists as, “persistent and evolving.”

RETURNING TO DA HUMMEL

RM emailed Hummel regarding his Bend Bulletin comments. We explained in our email we’ve had dealings in the past with reporter Garrett Andrews and felt it necessary to fact check his story for accuracy and asked Hummel for confirmation.

Additionally, we asked Hummel if he could provide any supporting information and whether he, as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the County, has shared his accusations that People’s Rights are an “anti-American and dangerous” group with the Oregon’s Titan Fusion Center.

To date, DA Hummel hasn’t responded to our request.

Due to the nature of DA Hummel’s comments, we contacted his Jefferson County counter-part, DA Steven Leriche and asked if the People’s Rights Group is on his radar.

Leriche responded almost immediately and stated: “Sorry, I don’t have anything to add as I never heard of them.”

For the better part of 2020 and early 2021, RM reported from ground zero-Portland, where we witnessed first hand violent demonstrations and riots that included attacks on federal, state and local government buildings, as well as monuments.

Black Lives Matter and Antifa were spearheading the 100 plus days of unrest that included Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty fanning the flames of “Revolution.” While speaking to her followers in front of the Portland Justice Center, Commissioner Hardesty stated: “We have a revolution to complete…”. She further stated, “We will revolutionize what community safety looks like.”

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO SNIPPET

Earlier, Hardesty demanded that “FEDERAL GOONS” be removed from Portland and apparently had no problem with all of the destruction leveled against the Portland Federal Courthouse. Later that same night, all hell broke loose in front of the US Courthouse. We witnessed first hand what Hardesty’s revolution looked like. The Courthouse was under siege along with the federal agents guarding it.

Interestingly, in one of DA Hummel’s early campaign messages-“STAND FOR JUSTICE”, Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty endorsed Hummel and stated: “John has shown us over the years that he is a leader of compassion, accountability and commitment to equitable enforcement He is the right leader for this time.”

The protests and riots continued throughout the Portland Metro Area most of the summer and beyond with no real consequences. State and City Officials stood by and watched as Portland government buildings, private businesses were destroyed and burned.

Alternately, we have reported on other political and/or activists groups throughout Oregon, including the People’s Rights Group. Interestingly, we have never witnessed any behavior suggesting the People’s Rights are “anti-American” or “Dangerous.” To the contrary, they promote everything pro-American and family values and unless possessing a copy of the US Constitution makes them dangerous.

RM sat down with Kim Hogan, medical professional and proud member of People’s Rights. Hogan, is also a member of the People’s Rights sub-group located Crooked River Ranch, “Little Group of Patriots.”

We asked Hogan if she was anti-American and dangerous, as described by Hummel. We also asked if she was packing any dangerous weapons, she responded “YES.” Reaching into her purse, Hogan pulled out a copy of the US Constitution and asked, “Is this what makes me dangerous?”

She told us that if Hummel was sitting across from her she would ask him: “WHAT IS ANTI- AMERICAN ABOUT STANDING FOR FREEDOM AND JUSTICE AND FLYING THE AMERICAN FLAG? “WHAT IS ANTI-AMERICAN ABOUT TEACHING OUR MEMBERS AND CHILDREN TO BE RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND TO BE SELF-RELIANT IN THESE TUMULTUOUS TIMES? “WHAT IS ANTI-AMERICAN ABOUT TEACHING SKILL SETS THAT BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY AND ADDITIONALLY FREES UP LAW ENFORCEMENT TO RESPOND TO MORE IMPORTANT CRIMES LIKE WE ALL SAW IN PORTLAND?”

Ms. Hogan would also ask Hummel: “WHY DO YOU THINK WE ARE DANGEROUS-WHAT DO YOU KNOW THAT I DON’T KNOW?

As for being called “repulsive” by Hummel, Hogan had this to say: “Hummel, I think your accusations are repulsive, unfounded and UN-AMERICAN.”

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Please see the attached photos and you decide who is “dangerous and anti-American.”