Oregon Sheriff Calls Meeting to End Standoff in 'Peaceful Resolution'

— -- The Harney County Sheriff's Office called a meeting in an attempt to bring a "peaceful" end to the days-long standoff with protesters on federal land in Oregon.

During the brief meeting, Sheriff David Ward asked Ammon Bundy to respect the wishes of Harney County residents and leave the land, the sheriff's office said on Twitter. The two plan to meet again tomorrow to discuss a peaceful resolution.

A protest began Saturday in support of Harney County ranchers Dwight Hammond Jr. and Steven Hammond, who were to report to prison Monday on arson charges.

The Hammonds were convicted of setting fires on lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, where they had grazing rights leased to them for their cattle operation. The two men left eastern Oregon early Sunday to report to Terminal Island in San Pedro, California, to serve their prison sentences.

After Saturday's rally, militia, along with sons of Cliven Bundy initiated the occupation of the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Cliven Bundy's son Ammon claimed the federally owned wildlife refuge in rural, eastern Oregon belonged to the people.