Harney County Votes For Candidates Opposed To Armed Occupation

[struggle4progress]

by Amanda Peacher OPB
May 19, 2016 10:27 a.m.

Harney County citizens voted decisively in this week’s primary for candidates who opposed the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Harney County had more candidates on the ballot than in any primary election in recent history. In discussions about federal lands, some candidates echoed the rhetoric of Ammon Bundy and other occupation leaders.

But voters were clear they preferred candidates who opposed the occupation. For the county judge seat, vacated by retiring Steve Grasty, current county commissioner Pete Runnels got 53 percent of the vote. That means he’ll take office without a November runoff.

For the county commissioner race, two candidates who also opposed the occupation will face off in November: political newcomer Mark Owens, who works in the hay and farming industries, and incumbent Dan Nichols, who decided to run at the last minute because he felt Harney County needed consistency in leadership after the occupation ...

http://www.opb.org/news/series/election-2016/harney-county-vote-armed-occupation-opposition/

[0rganism]

1. meanwhile in Washington County...

Forest Grove High students walk out over 'build a wall' banner
Updated at 11:15 a.m.: Hundreds of students walked out of class and marched down Main Street in Forest Grove. They walked through Forest Grove to the Forest Grove school district offices, and school officials spoke with the students. Students from at least five other high schools -- Beaverton, Hillsboro, Aloha, Liberty and Glencoe -- joined the protest, which has concluded. Groups of students continue to talk in the area and are gathered on A Street, but most students are leaving.

Some Forest Grove High School students demonstrated Thursday in protest of a banner hung briefly in the school hallway this week that read "build a wall."

Connie Potter, chief of staff for the Forest Grove School District, said the sign was put up Wednesday. She described it as a "very brief incident" that prompted a quick response by staff at the school, where about half of the student body is Latino.
...
http://www.oregonlive.com/forest-grove/index.ssf/2016/05/forest_grove_high_students_pla.html