CASPER, Wyo. — Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon took time out of his regular weekly COVID-19 press conference to express what he said was the state’s sense of sadness at the death of George Floyd, who died in police custody in Minneapolis on Memorial Day.
“We watched in horror as that man died,” the Governor said.
Gordon went on to describe demonstrations that have sprung up around the country as being an outpouring of outrage that is felt many.
“I also want to express how extremely proud I am of Wyomingites around the state who felt it was proper and appropriate and could demonstrate peaceably- did so in Cheyenne, Laramie, Riverton, Jackson and Casper,” Gordon said. “I would also like to thank our law enforcement officers who have not had to make arrests and who have handled themselves professionally and with respect for the demonstrators.”
Casper Police thanked the community on Wednesday for remaining peaceful during an organized March at noon, and another impromptu march that took place between David Street Station and Casper’s eastside Walmart and back. At time snarling traffic and blocking intersections. Casper PD says that only one station had been handed out as of 5:00 pm Wednesday. In turn, Gordon praised the professionalism of Casper police.
On Thursday, Gordon was sure to address vandalism and property destruction that has also been part of the news, pointing out that Wyoming’s GOP headquarters office in Cheyenne was vandalised with spraypaint.
“Those are just inexcusable,” Gordon said. “They are not part of Wyoming, they don’t represent our values. What we would rather see is the peaceful, respectful demonstrations that advance the message more effectively, that allow our citizens their first amendment rights. It is never a good thing to resort to violence.”
Reading from the Wyoming Constitution Gordon said that if the state was to live up to its reputation as the “Equality State,” it has to do better. Gordon quoted Articles II and III.
Sec. 2. Equality of all. In their inherent right to life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness, all members of the human race are equal.Sec. 3. Equal political rights. Since equality in the enjoyment of
natural and civil rights is only made sure through political equality, the laws of this state affecting the political rights and privileges of its citizens shall be without distinction of race, color, sex, or any circumstance or condition whatsoever other than individual incompetency, or unworthiness duly ascertained by a court of competent jurisdiction. Wyoming State Constitution
“Those are the values that I grew up in this state with,” Gordon said. “And those are the values that Wyoming stands for.”
