Well 2016 has certainly gotten off to an interesting start. The story of a small group of armed Oregon militiamen who took over a federal wildlife refuge and held it hostage shocked a nation, and raised some unsettling questions that still have no solid answers. Confused by the events that brought about so much controversy? Here the fast facts you need to know about what really happened that day and what comes next in this shocking situation.

It Was Originally A Peaceful Protest

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon was the sight of all the confusion. Peaceful protesters had assembled to speak out against two local ranchers being sentenced to jail for arson, which officials claimed was a cover for their poaching activity. But things quickly took a darker turn when militia men arrived en masse and took over the headquarters. It's worth mentioning that the ranchers who were the focus of the original peaceful protest have explicitly stated that they want no support from the militia. Officials have been hesitant to give an exact count of the men on site, but estimates range anywhere from 6 to 150.

It Runs In the Family

The militia movement has been led by some people that might be familiar to those who follow the news. Ammon Bundy and his brother Ryan Bundy are the sons of Cliven Bundy, a rancher who rose to national attention after he engaged in a standoff with the federal government in 2014.

They Have A List of Demands... Sort Of

The Oregon militia has a laundry list of concerns and issues with which to argue with officials and the FBI. Bundy claims that he wants people to amass at the wildlife refuge to take back America from those perceived as corrupting it. He has also said he wants the government to secede ownership of the wildlife refuge to the 'American people.'

But despite these grandiose claims, the list of specific demands has been frustratingly vague. At this point, no one seems sure what the group truly wants, or how to bring an end to this situation. Still, the Bundy brothers are determined to stay hunkered down until their demands are met... whatever they may truly be.

There Are No Hostages

One of the most confusing aspects of this whole situation is the hostages: there aren't any. Militia members have simply occupied the building without holding anyone against their will--which makes for a strange imbalance regarding bargaining tools. Despite this fact, the militia has been quite clear on one important fact: they are more than willing to use their weapons and kill or be killed, should events go critical. The FBI has been working towards negotiating a peaceful resolution but as of this writing, the militia looks hunkered down for the long haul.

There's Been A Social Media Wildstorm

On Sunday, the hashtag #OregonUnderAttack was trending worldwide, but that barely began to cover the mixture of emotions surrounding what was going on at the wildlife refuse. Many Twitter users argued about the appalling lack of media coverage, asking why the major networks didn't see fit to focus on this breaking story. Others criticized the racial implications of the case: Why weren't the militiamen being called terrorists, and why were officials so willing to have a rational discussion with armed individuals illegally occupying government property? Still others began openly mocking the entire predicament, with hashtags like #YallQuada and #VanillaIsis. As the story continues on with no signs of abating, the demand for answers--and some sort of action--continues to grow.

And make no mistake about it: Social media will be watching every step of the way.

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