UPDATE: Armed Bundy family leaders meet with BLM officers

8NewsNow KLAS Las Vegas ^ | 4-12-2014 | Caroline Bleakley

[smoothsailing]

UPDATE: Armed Bundy family leaders meet with BLM officers

Posted: Apr 12, 2014 3:06 PM EDT Updated: Apr 12, 2014 4:05 PM EDT

By Caroline Bleakley, Senior Online Editor -

LAS VEGAS --  Armed Bundy family leaders are meeting with BLM officers to discuss what will become of the cattle that the feds removed from BLM land, over the past week.

Tensions are running high and I-15 is closed in both directions, about seven miles south of Mesquite, because protesters have blocked the freeway, according to Nevada Highway Patrol.

The protesters have gathered in support of rancher Cliven Bundy, who has been locked in a legal battle over grazing rights with the federal government.

Nearly two dozen police officers and a SWAT unit are on scene.

NHP is advising people to not even try to go to Mesquite from Las Vegas. Troopers have tried to get cars through the area but they are not having much luck.

There have been no overt threats of violence from the protesters. 

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The BLM law enforcement officers are in Mesquite as they wait to leave the area. Police are there to help them do that safely.

It was announced Saturday morning that Sheriff Douglas Gillespie, Bundy and the BLM were able to reach an agreement over the cattle the BLM has already removed from the federal property. 

The BLM has offered to pay Bundy for the cattle already confiscated, sources say. The protesters say the cattle should be returned to Bundy.

This is a developing story.

[machogirl]

Thanks Hildy for all you do for Mohave County and all of AZ.

[clamper1797]

I know .... that’s why I retracted what I said. I was in a pissed off state of mind cause this can take my ranch too. Did not mean to take it out on you

[hoosiermama]

Drop it in as many conservative sites as you can. If we all do the same someone is bound to pick it up eventually!