We're now well into the middle of the Twitter storm hailing from #OregonUnderAttack, the result of a (lack of) media and law enforcement attention to an occupation of a federal building in Oregon by a group of largely white militia members.
In case you're just now getting caught up—armed individuals stormed the headquarters of Oregon's Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Sunday in response to a judge's extended sentencing of two ranchers accused of arson in 2001 and 2006.
Leading the charge is a man called Ammon Bundy, whose father is notorious Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy. Ammon and some 150 gun-toting supporters have planted themselves at the building and say they intend to stay "for years," or be removed by force.
As we reported earlier, Twitter users have pointed out the obvious here—had these "armed protesters" been black Americans or Muslim Americans instead of white ranchers, the situation would have likely turned out very differently.
As such, the hashtag #OregonUnderAttack has taken off on Twitter as a sort of replacement for the obvious gap in coverage here. Meanwhile, CNN and the like have yet to mention the word 'terrorism.' One of the main points that keeps appearing in #OregonUnderAttack asks why.
See more responses below, via Twitter.
Hold up... So 150 armed men are occupying a federal building & it isn't considered terrorism? #OregonUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/vBRLNlwdlL
— Tommie Sunshine (@tommiesunshine) January 3, 2016
No worries Oregon you're totally making the rest of 'merica look sane and badass carry on great work. #YallQaeda pic.twitter.com/BwThYRHk3D
— Philip H. Beauregard (@fundatoris) January 3, 2016
Did I miss the call for the national guard in Oregon? I recall them in Ferguson and Baltimore. #OregonUnderAttack
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) January 3, 2016
In a nutshell, this captures #OregonUnderAttack. Come on FOX News, do your job. Report the news. pic.twitter.com/GD1PPdJTFC
— Dr. Craig Considine (@CraigCons) January 3, 2016
Man, I bet the Crips & Bloods feel really dumb for calling themselves 'gangs' instead of 'militias.' #OregonUnderAttack
— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) January 3, 2016