Western showdown

Western showdown

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Anti-government groups, right-wing politicians and gun-rights activists in the United States have rallied around the cause of Cliven Bundy, a rancher accused by the U.S. government of illegally grazing his cattle for decades on public lands in the southern Nevada desert.

U.S. rangers began rounding up Bundy’s herd, but the operation was called off in the interest of safety after it led to a stand-off with armed protesters.

. Bunkerville, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

The dispute between Bundy (pictured above holding his grandson’s hand) and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management began back in 1993 when he stopped paying monthly fees of about $1.35 per cow-calf pair to graze public lands.

The government also claims Bundy ignored cancellation of his grazing leases and defied federal court orders to remove his cattle.

Bundy has said in legal documents that his right to graze the land predates the government's management of it, that he was "a citizen of Nevada and not a citizen of the territory of the United States."

The matter unresolved, in early April armed U.S. rangers were sent in to seize Bundy’s herd.

. BUNKERVILLE, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

But the federal operation was soon brought to a halt.

Bundy’s cause became a rallying cry for ultra conservatives and self-styled militias and hundreds of his supporters, some heavily armed, camped on the road leading to his ranch in the high desert.

Faced with these protesters, U.S. officials called off the seizure of Bundy’s herd and released the 300 or so animals they had already rounded up.

"We have made a decision to conclude the cattle gather because of our serious concern about the safety of employees and members of the public," the Bureau of Land Management's director, Neil Kornze, said in a statement.

. BUNKERVILLE, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

The dispute has tapped into long-simmering anger in Nevada and other big Western states rooted in the fact that vast tracts of their land are owned and governed by federal agencies.

In an interview before the bureau released his cattle, Bundy said he was impressed by the level of support he had received.

"I'm excited that we are really fighting for our freedom. We've been losing it for a long time," Bundy said.

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Slideshow

An animal grazes on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, which was closed off to allow Bundy's cattle to be rounded up.
. Mesquite, United States. REUTERS/George Frey

An animal grazes on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, which was closed off to allow Bundy's cattle to be rounded up.

Federal law-enforcement personnel block access to BLM land so that cattle can be seized.
. Mesquite, United States. REUTERS/George Frey

Federal law-enforcement personnel block access to BLM land so that cattle can be seized.

Rancher Cliven Bundy (second right) walks with an escort in Bunkerville, Nevada.
. Bunkerville, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Rancher Cliven Bundy (second right) walks with an escort in Bunkerville, Nevada.

Ammon Bundy, Cliven Bundy's son, talks about being tasered as he shows a mark on his chest.
. Bunkerville, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Ammon Bundy, Cliven Bundy's son, talks about being tasered as he shows a mark on his chest.

Brand Thornton, a member of the Southern Nevada Militia, carries a rifle during a protest against the round-up of Bundy's cattle.
. Bunkerville, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Brand Thornton, a member of the Southern Nevada Militia, carries a rifle during a protest against the round-up of Bundy's cattle.

Protesters Brayden Johnson, Mike Eames and his wife Kristi Eames wave to passing motorists.
. Bunkerville, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Protesters Brayden Johnson, Mike Eames and his wife Kristi Eames wave to passing motorists.

Protest signs adorn a fence in Bunkerville.
. Bunkerville, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Protest signs adorn a fence in Bunkerville.

Protester Spencer Shillig (left) of St. George, Utah, talks with Ammon Bundy after being cited by BLM officers for crossing into an area closed for rounding up cattle.
. LAS VEGAS, United States. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus

Protester Spencer Shillig (left) of St. George, Utah, talks with Ammon Bundy after being cited by BLM officers for crossing into an area closed for rounding up cattle.

Rancher Cliven Bundy (second left) greets Clark County Sheriff Douglas Gillespie, who announced the BLM was ceasing its cattle round-up operation.
. Bunkerville, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Rancher Cliven Bundy (second left) greets Clark County Sheriff Douglas Gillespie, who announced the BLM was ceasing its cattle round-up operation.

A protester raises his fists and smiles.
. Bunkerville, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

A protester raises his fists and smiles.

Ammon Bundy talks to demonstrators.
. Bunkerville, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Ammon Bundy talks to demonstrators.

Protester Chanley Iverson of Arizona waves a flag near the BLM's base camp, where Cliven Bundy's seized cattle were being held.
. BUNKERVILLE, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Protester Chanley Iverson of Arizona waves a flag near the BLM's base camp, where Cliven Bundy's seized cattle were being held.

Protesters gather at the base camp where the confiscated cattle were kept.
. BUNKERVILLE, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Protesters gather at the base camp where the confiscated cattle were kept.

Protester Eric Parker from central Idaho aims his weapon from a bridge next to the BLM's base camp.
. BUNKERVILLE, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Protester Eric Parker from central Idaho aims his weapon from a bridge next to the BLM's base camp.

Protesters fall back from the gates of the BLM's base.
. BUNKERVILLE, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Protesters fall back from the gates of the BLM's base.

Demonstrators place a sign on a bridge near the base camp.
. BUNKERVILLE, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Demonstrators place a sign on a bridge near the base camp.