Wednesday, March 30, 2016

MALHEUR EYEWITNESSES REJECT ALLEGATIONS OF $6 MILLION IN DAMAGES

MALHEUR EYEWITNESSES REJECT ALLEGATIONS OF $6 MILLION IN DAMAGES


Tuesday, March 29, 2016, Bend, OR; Salt Lake City, UT; Las Vegas, NV; and Fredonia, AZ -- Eyewitnesses of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge occupation held four simultaneous news conferences in four states today to reject the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (US F&WS) claims that there were $6 million in damages left behind at the refuge.


Las Vegas, NV eyewitnesses include Nevada State Assembly members John Moore and Shelly Shelton, and Stand By Me for Liberty Rally organizer Karen Steelmon.


Bend, OR eyewitnesses include former Harney County Fire Chief Chris Briels and Committee of Safety members Dwayne Schrock, Linsay Tyler and William Wilson.


Salt Lake City, UT eyewitnesses include founder of the oldest women's gun rights organization Janalee Tobias and Thara Finicum Tenney, LaVoy Finicum's oldest daughter.


Fredonia, AZ eyewitnesses include Shawna Cox, whose camera has become the centerpiece of evidence for the murder of LaVoy Finicum, LaVoy's brother Guy Finicum, and Sharla Christie.


On Wednesday, March 23, 2016, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released photos from inside the refuge falsely accusing ranchers LaVoy Finicum, Ammon Bundy and others in the peaceful occupation, of causing $6 million in damages.


There is another side to this story.


SIX MILLION DOLLAR TAXPAYER FRAUD AND COVER-UP

Evidence shows that the U.S. F&WS used photos to justify a $6 million taxpayer-funded money grab. They represented that they took these photos after the occupation ended, when in fact they were taken by the occupiers themselves when they arrived at the refuge to document the disarray and neglect.


Given the information we now have, the FBI and the US F&WS have clearly committed fraud with intent to cover up their mis-conduct, deceive the taxpayers and incriminate the innocent.


Those involved in this government cover up must be investigated and prosecuted.


In addition, photo and video evidence collected proves that rancher LaVoy Finicum and Ammon Bundy and their followers being held in jail without bond are innocent and we demand their release.


Numerous testimonies from eyewitnesses at the refuge show no damage reported. After LaVoy Finicum was murdered, according to one of the “Final Four” Sandy Anderson, “They [the remaining occupiers] abandoned their belongings and fled for their lives. There was no damage, only minimal disarray left behind. They didn’t have much time.” She also commented that federal officials appear to have tampered with evidence by ransacking their camp site and damaging their property, "running it over with a bulldozer."


Especially since the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and the DHS have built reputations for unconstitutional searches and seizures, labeling the victims "domestic terrorists" or "anti-government militants," ransacking homes and causing permanent damage to private property. These unconstitutional acts terrorize citizens without arrest warrants, violating the Fourth Amendment protections, which was also the case with the citizens of Harney County. The occupiers were the peaceful protestors; it is the federal government - the FBI and its contractors - that must be held responsible.


Ample photos and videos have been assembled that show the "before-and-after" and the disarray of the refuge before the occupation began. Once again, unelected government bureaucrats have found another way to grab funding and waste our hard-earned money.


This spectacle was nothing more than a multimillion dollar Academy award winning production in the fiction category, directed by the FBI and its contractors, featuring a cast of characters from the Oregon State Police, intentionally terrorizing the people to try this case in the media. This matter will be tried constitutionally - in a Court of law.


It wasn’t the ranchers. It wasn’t LaVoy, Ammon, Ryan and the other leaders. That’s not who they are.


Supporters are demanding a line item accounting of this taxpayer funded grab. “We’re asking for transparency and disclosure. We want the procurement applications, the invoices and the proof that justifies the outrageous bill we are paying. The occupiers were peaceful. At no time did they brandish guns. It was the federal government that brought in the military equipment and SWAT teams that we are now told cost over $2 and a quarter million! It was the presence of military artillery and vehicles that terrified the townspeople.


They claim 17 employees and their families were in danger of their lives and that they had to be relocated to hotels. Price tag: $2 million. You will not find a single occupier that will tell you LaVoy Finicum, Ammon and Ryan Bundy were dangerous men.


The American people are outraged when they learn the facts. They are rallying in all 50 states to question the integrity of the bureaucrats that run the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The federal government needs to be accountable for the costs of the supposed “restoration” of the refuge.


CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

The Audubon Society, an extremist environmentalist NGO that benefits from and advocates for an unconstitutional federal and international take-over of private property, recently called for volunteers to assist with the clean up. At the same time, the refuge was off-limits to the ranchers' movement, which had hundreds of volunteers willing to donate time to clean up at no cost to taxpayers.


EYEWITNESS TESTIMONIES

During the 41 days of the occupation, ranchers and patriots did not break any laws. They actually improved the condition of the refuge after the government employees let it fall into disrepair. One of the visitors to the refuge, Nevada Assemblyman John Moore commented, “The government bears the burden of proof, and taking this case to the media is not a Court of law where physical proof is actually required.”


“This is not about grass, trash or cows,” said Sharla Christie (Kanab, UT) a visitor at the refuge during the occupation. “It’s about freedom. LaVoy’s and Ammon’s message is about how government has disregarded our laws. The FEDS are violating the law, not the ranchers or the people that supported this protest.”


Chris Briels and others speaking at the multi-state news conferences agree. They know what it looked like and they say these ranchers did nothing to damage the area. He saw them continually cleaning and fixing the place up, from the corral that was filled with horse manure when they arrived, to the kitchen area that was always in order.”


“We took pictures while were there. I know my father,” said Thara Tenney, LaVoy’s oldest daughter. “He was a meticulous man, and he ran a tight ship at the refuge. If people wanted to eat, they first needed to do their part in keeping the refuge well cared for.”


“I saw nothing that was being damaged,” said Janalee Tobias, the founder of the oldest women’s gun rights group in America. “I originally went to make sure they were not doing anything that would create fear or provoke violence, as we were being told in the news. When I arrived, I saw that Ammon and LaVoy had set up everything so calm and peaceful and well-organized. They spent most of their days teaching the locals about how their elected leaders were violating the Constitution and taking away their rights. From the Hammonds to the Bundy’s, what have these people done to deserve the crimes for which they have been put in jail? What has Dave Bundy done? He took pictures of federal agents. Since when is taking pictures a crime that puts you in jail in solitary confinement without bail?”


Sandy Anderson, one of the "Final Four" whose husband Sean is still in a Portland Oregon jail, commented on her reaction to the US F&WS photos. “It looks as though they took our camp site, trashed it and then ran a bulldozer over it. The night LaVoy was murdered, people were fleeing the refuge and left everything behind – no time to pack or take anything with them. They were in fear for their lives. Nothing there was damaged.”



Testimony of LaVoy Finicum's Family.


Courtesy Gavin Seim:

— Gavin video examining evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hET0PbgTPes

— USFWS Photos on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/sets/72157666329058515

— RT Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sX-X1hkXcRQ

— Rat Infestation: https://www.facebook.com/bundyranch/videos/948065921936883/

— David Fry assasination day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuyPkKv2fPg

— 01/26 Drone Footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NCqHCvgUnk

— Patriots Cleaning Barn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8LoS16XG3U

— LaVoy outside building the day before: https://www.facebook.com/bundyranch/videos/951100138300128/

— Kitchen Walk through: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqaYAsEbisw

— David Fry walk though night of attack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuyPkKv2fPg

— Tribal member inspecting artifacts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ2J8JW93F0


From Gary Hunt:

Photos from the Refuge taken and posted by the occupiers to document the state of the refuge when they arrived, and then used by the US F&WS as "evidence" of damage done by occupiers
http://www.committee.org/MNWR/ImageTable.htm


From LaVoy Finicum's YouTube Channel - A Complete Compilation of his Videos, inlcuding videos he took at the Malheur Refuge as documentation:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIVPq7ybILJnY0B2aqpaXNA


From Monte Wells:

The Federal Restitution Scam
https://youtu.be/sAus6SJOERw


Facebook Blain Cooper video, one of the pictures the authorities are using to blame the cowboys is used from this video.

https://www.facebook.com/blaine.cooper23/videos/vb.100002585440114/932159760213530/?type=2&theater


Video showing kitchen while they were there:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqaYAsEbisw


Pete Santilli 2 hour video of them cleaning the garage. 6 inch deep rat poop:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VwNOD6VyYw


Pete Santilli From 28:44 - 40:22 mins Shows cleaning of storage area

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVM5ck1k3nM


Dwain cleaning the barn more detail:

https://www.facebook.com/100004569528547/videos/540084166153896/


Dwain cleaning the barn:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1R6UqlhAiY

LaVoy talking about preservation of the property:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE_vEneXhzM&list=PLK5y1wx_JF3ZvpTBZxrcudRHT20g_6onQ&index=107














STATEMENT OF GUY FINICUM

My Experience in Oregon at the Malheur Reserve


My name is Guy Finicum. On January 6, 2016 I contacted the Harney County Sheriff’s department and expressed my desire to visit the Malheur Refuge to see if I, with a team of friends, could “help” with the situation there. I received a call back from a Mark Maxwell from the FBI who, through a series of calls and voice mails, told me that I was free to go up there, and that it was my right.


We started our journey that night and arrived in Burns late in the evening of January 7th. Early that morning before daylight, we attempted to stop by the Sheriff’s department to let them know that we had arrived. We were unable to even get to the Sheriff’s Department because it was barricaded off, so we went on out to the refuge.


Upon arriving, we found the place to be very peaceful and orderly. We were welcomed and had the privilege of spending the whole day of January 8th with the occupiers. I attended several meetings with the leadership. First with LaVoy where he explained to us what his purpose was there. That exchange was videoed and is available on the web. I then attended a meeting with the leadership consisting of LaVoy, Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy, Shawna Cox, and Ryan Payne and two others whose names I don’t recall. During that meeting I learned what their intent and plan for the occupation was. Also in that meeting, I gained some insight into the character of Ammon Bundy. A person entered the room and showed Ammon a money pouch with cash in it that the individual had found in one of the offices. When asked if it could be used to pay for the trash hauling service, Ammon stated that it was not to be used because it did not belong to them. It was also in this meeting where Ammon talked about ongoing efforts to clean up the equipment shop and to address general maintenance and upkeep issues.


The next meeting I sat in on was with Ammon and LaVoy and several other key players as Ammon shared with us all the happening of the previous several months when he had first started trying to help the Hammonds. Ammon said that he had talked to witnesses and had followed every legal process he could to address new information he had uncovered, but was met with resistance and non-cooperation from all levels of government. During these efforts, Ammon reported that he had learned of many other abuses by federal agents in relation to property and civil rights over the past 20 years. Ammon said that he could not in good conscience return home knowing what he had learned and do nothing, and that is when he first entertained the idea of a civil disobedience occupation of the reserve.


I was able to sit in on several other meetings as well that day, and I was privileged to watch the leadership there interacting with Harney County residents, and I also observed a press conference. The last place I visited was where the meals were being prepared and served where things were also very clean and orderly. I must admit that a place covered by 6 to 8 inches of snow has a very clean look, but the snow was several days old and there was no evidence of litter or abuse of property in any way. Some of the offices and rooms I entered were cluttered, but it was clearly evident that the clutter was there prior to the occupation.


The overall attitude of the people there that day was friendly and welcoming. I also observed children playing in the snow and interacting in a happy and carefree manner. Some of my brother’s children and grandchildren had come to visit him that day, as did my elderly mother and father. I saw the relief in my parents’ eyes as they were able to witness firsthand what was really going on, as prior to that they had been troubled by what the media was portraying.


I will gladly testify before any authority to the truth of what I saw there that day. These men and women were peaceful, respectful and conscientious, and they were doing their very best to take care of a facility that they felt belonged to the people of Harney County. There is no question that it was an act of civil disobedience, but it was clearly being carried out with the highest of ideals and with sincere respect and love for their fellow-men.


The final thing I did that day at the Malheur Reserve was give my brother a hug, and tell him how much I loved him... for the last time.


-- Submitted by Guy R. Finicum
 

Monday, March 21, 2016

Counting Our Blessings


Throughout this heart wrenching experience that has been thrust upon our family, I believe it is important to count our blessings .  It has been such a testimony strengthener to see all the love, support and kindness shown to our family in this great time of need. Just when you think there can be no more hope for humanity, the Lord shows us another tender mercy through one of his many children.

Today I want to share just one of these tender mercies that the Lord has given us, but first I want to share some things about my Dad, LaVoy. First and foremost my Dad was a man of God. He loved God and strived to follow Christ's example every single day. In order to follow someone's example you have to know that person intimately, and what better way to learn and know of Christ then by reading and studying the scriptures daily!




Not only did my Dad do daily personal scripture study, but he did it multiple times a day. He also lead our family in family scripture study every night, where we would discuss all the teachings of the Lord together.  Then on top of all that studying, he would often be found sitting in his rocking chair studying from other books about history, our nation and its founders, prophets of God, and etc. He devoured knowledge and always craved to know more.

Dad thought it important to memorize scriptures and was often working on one. He would write scriptures onto note cards and would carry them with him until he had them memorized. If any of us children had any questions regarding the scriptures he was always the first person we would go to.  He knew the scriptures very well and quoted them often.

After Dad was murdered we longed to get his belongings back from the Malheur Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. We had several people try to help us in this venture but without success. We learned that someone had gone through his things and that not everything was as he had left it, and we began to loose hope.

We gained a glimmer of hope of having Dad's scriptures returned to us after watching the YouTube video that David Fry posted while he was still at the refuge, and on March 16th this month that hope became a reality.


Reverend Franklin Graham and his wife, Jane, made a visit to our home in CaneBeds AZ to personally return Dad's scriptures to our family, most especially to our Mother. Grandpa and Grandma Finicum were able to be there with us. There were hugs, tears and many thanks exchanged. We sat in my Mother's living room talking and telling stories for about an hour; at the end of which we knelt down and Reverend Graham offered a beautiful prayer.

 Dad's scriptures have become sacred and special to us and it was a gift from God that they have been returned to us. Thank you to everyone who put effort into this miracle.



The last 4 standing  who found dad's bible named the camp "Camp LaVoy" with a cross. Very cool.  

 
Written by: Brittney Beck (LaVoy's Daughter)

Family Statement to the world shorty after LaVoys murder.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE LAVOY FINICUM FAMILY RIGHT AFTER HIS MURDER
 
1-29-2016

We know that there are always at least two sides to every story. We also know and recognize that the FBI and law enforcement agencies involved will do everything in their power to make it appear as if the needless death of our husband, father, grandfather, brother and son, LaVoy Finicum, was justified.

Like almost everyone else, we were not there, so we don’t know exactly what happened. Like most others, we have no choice but to rely on other sources of information. One of those sources of information is the account of Victoria Sharp. Another piece of information is the video recently released by the FBI, along with the FBI’s chosen narrative of what happened. In response to this information, we would like to make a few observations.

The first observation is that from what we understand, the occupation was on track toward a peaceful resolution. LaVoy and those he was with were en route to a public meeting in an adjoining county when they were stopped in something far different than a “routine traffic stop,” as has been portrayed by the media. Unfortunately, the powers that be were not interested in being patient enough for the occupation to come to a peaceful end. Some had called for LaVoy and those he was with to simply be gunned down, just as he was, with no due process. Oregon Governor, Kate Brown, was putting pressure on the FBI to end it sooner rather than later. The Harney County Sheriff’s Department working in conjunction with the FBI tried to do everything they could to emphasize how disruptive the occupation was to the local community, when in reality it appears to have been their own reaction that was causing most of the disruption. And it was the FBI that chose to escalate the situation to force a confrontation, and violent ending.

With respect to the actual facts and circumstances surrounding LaVoy’s death, the video really speaks for itself. People will interpret it according to their own views. As the FBI’s own narrative stated, LaVoy was not wielding a firearm or any other weapon when he was killed. His hands were obviously in the air. Knowing LaVoy, it is our view that he was moving away from the vehicle in an attempt to draw any hostility or violence away from the others. Unfortunately, we don’t know what he was saying, and what was being said to him. He appears to have been gesturing, or trying to keep his balance while moving in the deep snow. Although he may have been animated, he does not appear to have been threatening or posing any real threat or danger to anyone. The FBI claims that LaVoy had a loaded firearm in an inside pocket of his coat. After re-reviewing the extended video, at this point we are not accepting at face value the FBI’s statement that LaVoy was actually armed. But even if he was, as far as we can see, that firearm posed no more danger to anyone than it would have if he had stayed in the vehicle, with his hands on the steering wheel. Contrary to what has been stated by some sources, LaVoy was not “charging” anyone. He appears to have been shot in the back, with his hands in the air.

It is our understanding that according to applicable law, the use of deadly force is justified only if there is a genuine threat of death or serious bodily injury. It is our understanding and position that deadly force should only be used as a last resort. In LaVoy’s case it appears that they were determined to go straight to the last resort. It is our understanding that the U.S. Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit Court of appeals have ruled as follows:

“The reasonableness of [officers’] actions depends both on whether the officers were in danger at the precise moment that they used force and on whether [the officers’] own reckless or deliberate conduct during the seizure unreasonably created the need to use such force.”
"[W]here an officer intentionally or recklessly provokes a violent confrontation . . . he may be held liable for his otherwise defensive use of deadly force.” Although officers may claim self-defense, they may still be liable for using excessive force if their reckless and unconstitutional actions create the need to use excessive force.

It is our understanding that in addition to shooting LaVoy multiple times, after he was left lying harmlessly on the ground the officers also fired upon his truck and the passengers in it, putting them all at risk, despite the fact that they were posing no threat to anyone. The video clearly shows one of the windows being blown out. It has been gut-wrenching for our family to view the video of LaVoy being shot, and then left to lie in the snow while a whole army of so-called “public servants” terrorized the others. We can only hope their families never have to watch such a thing. We will be interested to inspect the vehicle. We will also be interested to see the autopsy report.

At this point we will await the outcome of any investigation, but based on the information currently available to us, we do NOT believe that LaVoy’s shooting death was justified. We likewise can't see any justification for the force and risk of serious injury or death that was exerted against the others in the truck, who posed no threat.

We know that under such circumstances law enforcement typically makes every attempt to cast such shooting victims in the worst possible light. In that regard, we also want to observe and emphasize that LaVoy had a squeaky clean record, and had never had so much as a speeding ticket. In addition to raising his own eleven children, he had also been entrusted with the care of at least 50 foster children over the course of approximately 10 years.

On January 7, 2016, LaVoy issued an official statement from the Malheur Wildlife Refuge. Among other things, the statement said:

“We want to clarify that we share any and all concerns about safety for everyone involved, including ourselves, our families, the public, and law enforcement officers. All lives are important to us. Ultimately, we want everyone involved to be able to return safely to their homes and families.
We are deeply troubled and saddened that our governments do not share the same concern for human life. We are deeply troubled that our governments would view whatever was happening at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge to be worth spilling blood over. We are deeply troubled and saddened that our governments have come to place so little value on life, liberty, property and pursuit of happiness.
We love LaVoy as our husband, father, grandfather, brother and son. He was a hero to us. We believe he died as a patriotic martyr. Regardless of any and all differing opinions, we know that he died standing for a cause HE believed in.

LaVoy’s funeral will be held in Kanab, Utah on Friday, February 5, 2016. We take comfort in our faith and our belief that LaVoy is now in a better place. May our dear Lord bless and receive him into that realm. We sincerely appreciate all the thoughts and prayers that have been sent our way. We pray for those who chose to take LaVoy’s life. We desire justice and genuine accountability for what happened, but we pray for them.

And finally, we thank God for this country and what it is supposed to stand for. We pray for this country, and that God will please bless, help and forgive us all.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

National Stand By Me For Liberty





Over 500 rally's took place across this nation on Saturday, March 5th, 2016 in honor of our politically assassinated husband, father and patriot; LaVoy Finicum. January 26th, 2016 has become a turning point for this nation as his murder has started a powerful Liberty Rising movement in the hearts of the American people. LaVoy's blood has and is watering the tree of liberty.



The below map was developed by a reporter to mark where the rally's took place across the nation.



Jeanette Finicum attended the Salt Lake City, Utah rally and
courageously expressed what she saw happen in the released video of his murder.



The Finicum family announced at the Salt Lake rally how they are launching their campaign to carry on the message of LaVoy Finicum. There is great need for a revolution of the minds. His voice is not silenced. The injustice of his murder is igniting the spirit of liberty in the hearts of many American's.



As we unite it is important for all to understand our family mission in moving forward with our husband and fathers message:

 

We seek to be better understand,
maintain and defend our
God given rights
to further our eternal happiness.
To do so we will virtuously and competently
let our voices be heard and our testimonies be seen for
Personal Property Rights
Liberty and Freedom
The Constitution
Education
and one that has become even more near and dear to us as of late,
The importance of LIFE.

 

We understand how much of Americans today do not understand this Liberty they enjoy and what it takes to maintain it. Freedom is NOT free, much of the people have forgotten what is required to be free. 

 

Liberty has been created by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and it is our responsibility to learn how to use this liberty appropriately, then to defend it, suffer for it and even die for it. If we don’t do these things, the blessings and privileges of this God given liberty will be lost to all that opposes truth and light. Our husband and father understood this. He upheld his responsibility to appropriately learn how to use liberty. He then defended it, suffered for it and was murdered for liberty.


As mentioned in previous posts, LaVoy's legacy of learning how to appropriately use his God given liberty began years ago as he practiced daily diligence in the things that refined and educated himself. He invited all who had an ear to listen to also do the work required to become informed on this topic of liberty because he understood the principle that one cannot give that which he or she does not have.
 

It is imperative to understand how liberty requires not just the structures of freedom such as constitution and law, but the 'spirit of liberty'. LaVoy, as do his family, understand how despite while the structures of liberty such as constitution and law can by established for centuries, that the 'spirit of liberty' must be alive from generation to generation and if a generation arises that does not understand liberty as a habit of the heart, then freedom is in danger of being lost.

What then is this 'spirit of liberty', this 'habit of the heart'?

Liberty is not the freedom to do what you want but the power to do what you ought. Freedom requires virtue. The founders understood this as we read of John Adams bold statement of how, "only a virtuous people are capable of freedom."


  A true menace to freedom is what a Greek historian called a 'corruption of customs'. On the contrary there is a culture today who believes that what is decisive for any nation is its constitution and its fundamental laws. Leaders of this great nation pretentiously lean on the idea of how ours is the world's longest surviving constitution and maybe the greatest, claiming this is all it takes.
 

No no, says the Greek historians our founders studied. On the contrary, the best constitution in the world, if you have a 'corruption of customs', traditions and moral standards of the people, the best constitution in the world will eventually be subverted. It would still have the same name but it would be a different reality. This is always the vulnerable temptation at times of power and prosperity. When a nation has become powerful and free, freedom is taken for granted and the whole notion of sustaining freedom is FORGOTTEN.


Freedom requires virtue. Now you can see how that is gone today. When the build up towards the Clinton impeachment happened there was a famous letter in the new york times by various American scholars stating how, “Character does not matter, all the matters in a president today is competence.” This is just one tiny example how you can see the widespread dismissal of this prerequisite to freedom. One historian described it as an 800 pound gorilla in the room that is so obvious and yet hardly mentioned today.


Here is what you can do:
And so I invite you today to do the work to get your life in order. Do the daily diligence to get yourself out of debt, improve your physical health with healthy food and exercise. Choose to surround yourself with those people and content that will refine you as an individual. Get square with your God. Repent of those things in your life that is not in line with God's laws.


I promise that as we use our agency to do these things
that we will be in a better position to be more of an
effective tool for this cause of Liberty. Such daily
diligence will enable an individual to possess the
characteristic of virtue, which is a prerequisite for
freedom.


Will you
stand with us? Will you choose to be virtuous in
your stand with us?


 

Monday, March 7, 2016

The Funeral and EMPTY SADDLE




The days, hours and moment leading up to the funeral were full of experiences we would have rather never had to face. We simply wanted our innocent father and husband alive.



Our wish was not an option. He was dead! Nothing was going to bring him back. All we could do was pull through together. The funeral planning was done together leaning on one another's strength, moment by moment.




The house was full. Never a quiet moment, much like it always was when our big family gathered, except this time anguish permeated the spirit in the home. The sting of death filled our hearts and radiated through our eyes.




We all kept waiting to hear dads boots thump the tile floor as he always walked with energy and purpose. We longed for the sound of his jingling keys that could be heard as he walked, for he always wore them at his hip.




Our waiting was in vain, for he was gone. 




When home we could always expect late night board games at the dinner table but not this time. The families cherished games stayed tucked away in the dark closet.  




We had no time to cry and grieve. There were lawyers to contact, media to organize, book orders to fill, sheriffs to coordinate with and evil trolls to ban and delete.




We released an official family statement to the world starving for information, comforted devastated people, negotiated with ecclesiastical leaders, organized a life slide show of dad, recorded the daughters freedom cry song in studio, ordered a personal autopsy for Dad's body and a brought home a lifeless, stiff cold body.




People by the thousands were reaching out to our family from all over the world to express their condolences. Cards started coming through the mail in mass quantities to show love and support. Local community members fed our LARGE family the entire week. The yard had been renovated. They even painted the chicken coop and swing set to match the house. Over 200 flower arrangements had been ordered for the day of the funeral through the mortuary's virtual forum. Sisters from the church helped watch the children while we tackled each daunting task.




Despite all these experiences we wish we never had to face, we started to become so overcome with feelings of gratitude. This divine emotion of gratitude helped us to endure well. Our burdens were made lighter as our disposition transitioned from deep sorrow and anger to deep gratitude for the outpouring of love. This gratitude ignited the beginning of our healing journey. All those who reached out and continue to reach out to our family in love are responsible for this step toward healing.




There were at least 2300 people who arrived at the funeral. The chapel, cultural hall, stage, hall ways and classrooms were full. Unfortunately everyone who had come to show their respects were not able to make it through to the viewing because the line was too long.
Part 1 LaVoy Finicum's Children Speaking at Funeral
Part 2 LaVoy Finicum's Children Speaking at Funeral
Part 3 LaVoy Finicum's Beautiful Caboose Speaking at Funeral


During the viewing different siblings were scheduled to interview with media, who were stationed outside off of the churches property. This was nerve wrecking as it was uncertain if the media was adversarial or not. Our father was characterized with a false narrative by the mainstream media while in Oregon and then was brutally murdered while his hands were in the air by American authorities.




Trust simply had not been earned. We trusted no one to represent our family honestly. Adding this element to our last day with our fathers lifeless body seemed so unfair. Why should we welcome the media who had demonized our beloved father into our last moments with him? Despite our instinct to shun the world and give up on humanity, by the grace of God we gracefully participated in the interviewers.




After the funeral Thara and Tierra-Belle addressed the media one last time in a press conference. From that point, about 50 cowboys did a Memorial Ride, EMPTY SADDLE with LaVoy's empty saddle being lead by his father, David Finicum.








The musician, Jordan Page, hosted a benefit concert at the local middle school in Kanab, Utah that evening. Jordan  sang the ballad he wrote for dad and a few other of dad's favorite songs. The daughters  of LaVoy were also able to sing their Freedom's Cry song and got a standing ovation. Victoria Sharp, one of the eye witnesses of LaVoy's murder was also able to be there with her family. They sang and she gave her witness  of his unjust murder.  


The Lord sustained every member of the family through this day that we never wanted to face. Now we press forward with faith seeking Gods wisdom, humility, forgiveness, courage and charity in the cause for Liberty.  








LaVoy was buried the next day at the Finicum family cemetery. The grave was hand dug by family members. Dad would not of had it any other way, and neither would have we.

LaVoy's Obituary

Written by: Thara Tenney (LaVoy's Daughter)