The #OregonUnderAttack Hashtag Perfectly Summarizes The Confusion With The Armed Militia Protest

Nevada Rancher And Federal Gov't Face Off Over Land Use Battle
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The standoff in Oregon continues with most of the cable news networks still not applying full coverage and many trying to make sense of what is happening. The Oregonian is providing the most up to date reports on events, with authorities on the scene and urging people to stay away:

“After the peaceful rally was completed today, a group of outside militants drove to the Malheur Wildlife Refuge, where they seized and occupied the refuge headquarters. A collective effort from multiple agencies is currently working on a solution. For the time being please stay away from that area. More information will be provided as it becomes available. Please maintain a peaceful and united front and allow us to work through this situation.”

https://twitter.com/jiadarola/status/683529920509652992

https://twitter.com/jason_a_w/status/683482421778452480

https://twitter.com/IanKullgren/status/683524884484390912

Online, many are attempting to make sense and debate what they perceive to be a “double standard” in both media coverage and legal response, with most comparing it with the recent situations in Ferguson, Missouri and Baltimore.

With this debate, the hashtag #OregonUnderAttack was born and many have used it to vent frustrations and question the response to the armed “militia” that seems to have forcefully taken over a government site:

https://twitter.com/Rumy_L/status/683653825547366402

https://twitter.com/JillFilipovic/status/683641510450053120

https://twitter.com/seemslegit18/status/683627122410131456

https://twitter.com/seemslegit18/status/683626310367744000

https://twitter.com/yagbebi/status/683572776771403776

https://twitter.com/NatureGuy101/status/683552749246521344

https://twitter.com/jchaltiwanger/status/683546257902702592

https://twitter.com/Lexialex/status/683534135332179968

https://twitter.com/emayfarris/status/683529745078685696

https://twitter.com/RobertJSomynne/status/683519941379780608

https://twitter.com/wyethwire/status/683511218867449857

(Matt Bors getting some play)

https://twitter.com/jordan_budd/status/683509621387046913

https://twitter.com/elonjames/status/683508591962095616

If you compare this situation to the coverage of what happened in San Bernardino, it’s essentially night and day. No one has been murdered, but media coverage was 24/7 following the attacks and speculation was rampant. CNN at the moment is laughing about New Year’s resolutions for the political candidates. Brian Stelter did reference the lack of coverage and noted that CNN will have it as their lead story at 11.

Others have noted that the hastag itself is no more helpful than the men occupying in Oregon, while others are attempting to clarify confusion with the events:

Hard to say where it will end up, but the reaction to the events is pretty clear. People want to know why this isn’t being handled the same as other events.

(Via The Oregonian / AlJazeera)