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Sheriff: Standoff 'Not A Peaceful Occupation'

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon sheriff said under cross-examination that Ammon Bundy never physically threatened him before and during the takeover of a national wildlife refuge last winter.

But Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward said the Bundy-led protest at the refuge was "absolutely not a peaceful occupation." Ward described it as an armed clearing of a room that included military-style tactics.

Bundy's attorney, Marcus Mumford, asked the sheriff about a cordial meeting he had with Bundy a few days into the occupation. In a clip of the meeting, Ward offered Bundy safe passage out of Oregon while praising the leader for getting his message out to the world.

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Ward said he wasn't there to pick a fight. He just wanted them to leave.