Ammon Bundy, Cliven’s son speaks to supporters.
Crowds have been gathering all week to show their support for Bundy.
Protesters showed up at Metro headquarters Friday.
LAS VEGAS — The Bureau of Land Management has announced it will stop the roundup of cattle owned by rancher Cliven Bundy. The BLM says the animals have been illegally grazing on public lands for 20 years.
The BLM made the announcement Saturday morning, a week after rangers started gathering the animals from land near Gold Butte.
The agency says it is concerned about the safety of its employees and the public. Earlier this week, BLM officers and supporters of the Bundy family were involved in a scuffle. Cliven Bundy’s son, Ammon Bundy, was tased twice by federal agents. Another woman said she was thrown to the ground by an officer.
With more Bundy supporters pouring in from around the country, safety concerns began to grow.
The I-Team has learned the deal to end the gather was brokered by Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie.
According to sources, the BLM wants to proceed with the sale of the cattle already gathered during the roundup but is reportedly willing to share the revenue from the sale with Bundy.
Sheriff Gillespie has been negotiating with Bundy behind the scenes for months reached a tentative agreement Friday night, though Bundy insisted the sheriff come to his ranch to finalize the arrangement face-to-face.
The two men meet Saturday to discuss the agreement prior to a public announcement.
In its statement, the BLM said its actions this past week were progress in enforcing two court orders to remove the trespassing cattle from public land.
The agency director also asked that everyone involved in the dispute remain peaceful and law-abiding.
