No Man's Land

No Man's Land

According to the United States Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, paragraph 17), the Federal State cannot own land areas except for the 10 square miles of Washington DC on which both the White House and the related administrative offices are located. In the other States the government property is provided only for postal offices, courts, military buildings, arsenals and so forth. However, in the West of the United States the majority of the land is federal property: in Nevada, in particular, only 15,5 percent belongs to the citizens. 84,5 percent of the land belongs to the government that today is using it regardless of the rights and traditions of the cowboys who are the descendants of those pioneers that had founded here their ranches and that are now disappearing. If in the 1940’s there were 52 ranches in the county of Clark (Las Vegas) nowadays, there is only one left: that of the Bundy Family that refused to sell the grazing and water rights. This family is now facing the consequences. 5 of its members are now in jail on charges of domestic terrorism for openly demonstrating against the Federal government and its land plans. This attempt of expropriation started 30 years ago and it is repeating itself in different ways but with the same results in many other West territories (e.g. Hammond in Oregon, Gardener in Nevada, Bulloch Rucker in Utah and so on). Among Trump’s campaign promises there are the reconstitution of those rights laid down in the Constitution and the ensuing return of the land to the native Americans. On the other hand, Hillary Clinton promises the development of green energy which is currently managed on federal land.

by contributor Benaglia&Colombo

According to the United States Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, paragraph 17), the Federal State cannot own land areas except for the 10 square miles of Washington DC on which both the White House and the related administrative offices are located. In the other States the government property is provided only for postal offices, courts, military buildings, arsenals and so forth. However, in the West of the United States the majority of the land is federal property: in Nevada, in particular, only 15,5 percent belongs to the citizens. 84,5 percent of the land belongs to the government that today is using it regardless of the rights and traditions of the cowboys who are the descendants of those pioneers that had founded here their ranches and that are now disappearing. If in the 1940’s there were 52 ranches in the county of Clark (Las Vegas) nowadays, there is only one left: that of the Bundy Family that refused to sell the grazing and water rights. This family is now facing the consequences. 5 of its members are now in jail on charges of domestic terrorism for openly demonstrating against the Federal government and its land plans. This attempt of expropriation started 30 years ago and it is repeating itself in different ways but with the same results in many other West territories (e.g. Hammond in Oregon, Gardener in Nevada, Bulloch Rucker in Utah and so on). Among Trump’s campaign promises there are the reconstitution of those rights laid down in the Constitution and the ensuing return of the land to the native Americans. On the other hand, Hillary Clinton promises the development of green energy which is currently managed on federal land.

Nevada, road to Bunkerville. Fence. Briana, Mel Bundy's wife. They have 5 daughter. Mel is in jail with his father Cleven and his 3 brother because he came to Bunkerville to help his family in running the ranch when his father Cleven and the others men were imprisoned. Arden Bundy, the youngest son of Cleven and Carol. he runs alone the ranch while his dad and brothers are in jail. Jonathon Speece, from Las Vegas.  He personalises weapons. Now he lives in a camper with his dog in the Bundy's Ranch near the  home of the family. He was invited to stay there to be the witness of everything that could happen. They call him Skipper as he was in the US Navy. Mesquite. One of the 9 Golf Club that sorround the town. Mesquite is becomeing a new residential place for old people. Tuffy Ruth, 77, Mesquite, NV. He was born in Arizona, where he grew up in a ranch. At the age of 11 he lived the school to be a cowboy. He has had an adventurous life: he worked as miner, he worked in area 51, on nuclear tests, he built up the RD 15 in the gorge between Nevada and huta, he was  on platform in the North sea. He has 6 kids and more than 40 nephews. On his business card you can read: "probem solver - if you have no problem, I'll create one". Valley Inn Motel, Mesquite, NV. The old part of the city, with his last historical houses and Motels. They were open between the 50.s and the 70's when the Casinos come to town. Now most of them are closed. Shem Teerlink, 50, Mesquite, NV. He has 3 works, his gradnfather owned the ranch next to the Bundy's, calles Meadowland, that now has turned into a big and luxury riding school. Road 15 from Bunkerville to Vegas, Mile 88. NV energy. Establisced in 1906 to serve the village of Las Vegas. It is the most important electic industry of Nevada. Shawna Cox, Kanab, Huta. She is the most important wittness of La Voy Finicum murder, as she was filmig everything inside the car stopped by the FBI in Oregon. She is under gps control with a police bracelet on her ankle. Jeanette Finicum, Cane Beds, Arizona. Her husband was killed in Oregon while he was with the Bundy standing for the Hammonds family. Mesquite, new residential luxory area beyond Vistas Golf Course and Mesquite airport. Carol Bundy. Cliven's wife. She has 7 sons and 7 daughters. Four of her sons and her housband are in jail as domestic terrorist because of their standoff for the property of the land. Colton Teerlink, 24. Son of Shem Teerlink, Bunkerville, NV. He works in a Camel Center on the other side of the river next to the Bundy's ranch. This plase is owned by a rich canadian man, who wants to bring here tourist  from Las Vegas for exclusive camels riding and fun. Casablanca Casino in Mesquite. The first casino here was built in the '70. Lots of people came here from Utah where gambling is forbitten and from Arizona where it is only permitted in Indian Reserve. Jim Linch at the Mesquite Veterans' center.   Mesquite is a very popular place to retire. Here you have clinics, casinos, golf clubs, natural enviroments where they love to ride theis 4wheels off-road. They also work as volunteer in building recreative facilities for the city, as the bowling area in the new residential zone. Mesquite, border with Utah. It is at the end of the city in the new residential area. Colton Teerlink. Bunkerville, 24. Son of Sheen Teerlink. He works in a Camel center on the other side of the river next to the Bundy's ranch. This place is own by a rich canadian man who wants to bring here tourists from Las Vegas for exclusive camel rides. Jeanette Finicum, Cane Beds, Arizona. Her husband was killed in Oregon while he was with the Bundy standing for the Hammonds family. MV Motel. Mesquite. Old part of the city, with his last historical houses and motel. They were opened beetween the '50 and the '70 when the casinos come to town. New most of them are closed . Mark, 55. Bunkerville, NV. He is retired and now he babysits his grandchildren. He thinks that the government has gone beyond its rights. Road 15 from Bunkerville to Vegas, exit 80. Moapa Reserve. There is a big amount of solar panels on Federal Land. It's a no trepassing zone. Also the land on the other side of road 15 is own by the federal governament and they are working also there. Bundy's house, Bunkerville, NV. VO is  how they brand the cattles and means Victory Over Oppression. Gary Woods, 63, Bunkerville NV. He is a builder next to his retirment. He was in the Bundy standoff. Jeanette Finicum, Cane Beds, Arizona. Her husband was killed in Oregon while he was with the Bundy standing for the Hammonds family. Jonathon Speece, from Las Vegas.  He personalises weapons. Now he lives in a camper with his dog in the Bundy's Ranch near the  home of the family. He was invited to stay there to be the witness of everything that could happen. They call him Skipper as he was in the US Navy. Road 15, from Bunkerville to Vegas. Elettric Lines. Road 15, from Bunkerville to Las Vegas, Exit 80. In the Moapa reserve there is a big amount of solar panels on Federal Trust Land. it is a no trepassing zone. The land on the other side of the RD 15 is owned by the federal government and they are working also there. David Hoffman, Bunkerville, NV. He works in a Casino in Las Vegas. He rented his mop as he can't obtain a loan as he lived for 10 years overseas, in Germany, so he has no credentials. Mesquite. Old part of the city, with his last historical houses and motel. They were opened between the '50 and the '70 when the casinos come to town. Now most of them are closed .