Approximately 40 protesters gathered outside Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters on Friday asking for Sheriff Doug Gillespie to intervene and “protect the people” involved in the Cliven Bundy cattle dispute.
The gathering organized by tea party supporters called for Gillespie to “do his job” and protect the Bundy family from the federal government.
“Sheriff Gillespie is the top elected law enforcement officer in Clark County and he has abdicated his role as sheriff leaving the people of Clark County void of protection from abuse by the federal government,” said Connie Foust, president of the Virgin Valley Tea Party in Mesquite and co-organizer of the protest.
Organizers also called for peaceful civil disobedience, and for supporters from Nevada and outside the state to leave their weapons at home, and not to wear camouflage.
Supporters of Bundy are upset at the tactics used by agents of the Bureau of Land Management during the round up of the family’s cattle, including the arrest of one of Bundy’s sons, Dave Bundy, on Sunday by federal agents for “refusing to disperse” and resisting address.
On Wednesday, video footage emerged of a clash between angry protesters and BLM rangers that shows Cliven Bundy’s sister being tackled to the ground, and another son being shot with a stun gun.
Two brothers from St. George, Utah, were detained and cited by federal authorities Thursday for trespassing after intentionally crossing beneath a gate blocking the road to Overton Beach. The BLM also abandoned planned so-called “First Amendment areas” on Thursday after criticism from elected officials including Gov. Brian Sandoval.