PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The roadside memorial that was built to honor LaVoy Finicum, a Malheur Refuge occupier who was shot and killed during a confrontation with FBI and OSP, was removed overnight Friday.
KOIN 6 News was contacted by several people Saturday morning, claiming the memorial had been removed. Pictures show just one stake remaining of the cross and all the flowers, cards and pictures gone.
It is unclear who removed the memorial along Highway 395 or why but an Oregon State Police spokesman says no law enforcement agency had anything to do with the destruction of the site. An Oregon Department of Transportation spokesman said the agency played no role in its removal.
One caller told KOIN 6 News “fellow patriots” were going to restore the memorial, and by Saturday afternoon a group was at the site and the cross had been replaced.
“Regardless of what a person’s views are, a person did lose their life here, and whether your opinion is justified or not, a person did lose their life here and respect should be given,” said Julie Perkins.
One woman spray painted the word freedom in the snow near the memorial, others planted flowers.
“I am out here today to help stand up for someone who I felt was doing the right thing,” Amanda Bisset told KOIN 6 News.
A vigil was held for Finicum in Salem late Saturday afternoon and according to social media posts, a similar rally and tribute was held in Olympia.
