A local public official in southeastern Utah led a protest on federal land today against the Bureau of Land Management.
The group rode all-terrain-vehicles into Recapture Canyon located in Utah’s four corners region. The BLM closed off access to the canyon about seven years ago to protect Native American burial sites. San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman led the group into the canyon. He says protesters don’t recognize the authority of the federal government.
“It’s arbitrary for the BLM to put a line across that road and say if you cross this, you’re breaking the law. And I’ve said, if they can so that, what can they not do?” says Lyman.
Many of the protesters are armed, but Sheriffs deputies from several counties are monitoring what is so far a peaceful demonstration. BLM Utah state director Juan Palma said in a statement that those who broke the law will be held accountable.
