“However, the big mistake of the Oregon group was to have guns”
We should all remember they were at a wildlife refuge. You know, a public hunting area.........a place where guns are expected and allowed.
Yes, and occupying public property and by implication daring the authorities to evict them. While armed.
Its not prudent to make even implied threats like this, unless they were actually inviting violence, in which case it was also poorly thought out.
Also, its not prudent to make such a demonstration in such an isolated place. At least the Bundy’s in Nevada attracted crowds of sympathisers as witnesses.
Their cause is fundamentally sympathetic, and it can be pushed in a way that will invite public support and shame the bureaucrats, but that will require a very different approach.