tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25687412208602852522024-03-04T21:09:17.427-07:00ACLU of Wyoming - Equality State BlogACLU of Wyoming Equality State Blog focuses on Wyoming legislative events and issues. We blog about our current activities and other civil liberties issues from around the state.ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comBlogger195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-44165803469936559262015-04-03T11:43:00.001-06:002015-04-03T11:43:30.568-06:00Here's what happened at the Capitol this year
During the 2015 Legislative Session, the ACLU of Wyoming
was hard at work advocating for civil rights and fighting bills that threaten
our freedoms. We sought to reform criminal justice, protect citizens’ privacy,
and expand LGBT rights, while weighing in on a host of other bills implicating
civil liberties. We couldn’t have done it all without your help!
Here are some highlights from this ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-19039704412536652502015-04-01T11:37:00.000-06:002015-04-01T11:37:09.742-06:00Suspicionless drug testing does no one any good
We are writing to respond to the Casper Star Tribune’s
editorial, Drug testing students is worth
exploring (March 6, 2015).
We agree with the editorial board’s statement that, “This is
a critical time for these young people. We should do what we can to help them
learn to make healthy decisions that will shape how they live the rest of their
lives.” We disagree, however, that violating ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-5317042882270601242015-03-16T14:48:00.000-06:002015-03-16T14:48:27.287-06:00Introducing our Public Education & Outreach Coordinator
Greetings! My name is Melanie Vigil and I am the new
Public Education and Outreach Coordinator for the ACLU of Wyoming.
Coming from the small town of Lander, WY, I graduated
from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Women’s
Studies and Global and Area Studies. I am also slowly working towards a
master’s degree in Public Administration, and I was recently ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-74666622136072611402015-02-25T10:07:00.000-07:002015-02-25T10:10:18.463-07:00ACLU of Wyoming Statement on Senate File 115
The ACLU of Wyoming released the following statement this morning regarding the Wyoming House of Representatives voting down Senate File 115 Discrimination:
We are deeply disappointed that the Wyoming House yesterday failed to protect gay and transgender people from discrimination in the Equality State. Although we were troubled by the broad religious exemptions and other amendments ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-9143617005005678132015-02-06T12:18:00.000-07:002015-02-06T12:18:46.737-07:00Legislative Update: General Session Continues...
2015 General Session
63rd
Legislature
HOUSE BILLS
SUPPORT
HB0015
Restoration of voting rights by
department of corrections.
Sponsored by: Joint Judiciary
Interim Committee
AN ACT
relating to criminal procedure; amending and conforming provisions relating to
restoration of voting rights to felons; and providing for an effective date.
http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2015/ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-69055915635260467482015-02-06T09:45:00.000-07:002015-02-06T09:45:08.883-07:00Media Seek Access to Bison Culling in Yellowstone Park
The National Park Service is culling bison in the Stephens
Creek area of Yellowstone National Park, and it has blocked off a seven-mile
radius around its culling activities, denying access to the public. Members of
the Buffalo Field Campaign and a freelance investigative journalist concerned
about the welfare of bison have repeatedly requested permission to view the
culling activities, only toACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-74718423751911720422015-01-29T13:41:00.001-07:002015-01-29T13:41:07.369-07:00Wyoming should pass asset forfeiture bill
SF14 is a bill that would prohibit law enforcement from
seizing private property unless they are charged and convicted with a
felony. The Heritage Foundation’s web site defines civil asset forfeiture
in this way: “Civil asset forfeiture is a legal tool that allows law
enforcement officials to seize property that they assert has been involved in
certain criminal activity. In fact, ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-45856057288427583502015-01-26T10:55:00.000-07:002015-01-26T10:55:54.602-07:00Proposed legislation would hide environmental / animal abuse
In December of 2012 nine employees of a pig farm near Wheatland,
Wyoming were charged with cruelty to animals after an undercover investigation
by the Humane Society for the United States.
These workers were charged with cruelty to animals after a film showing
them kicking, punching, throwing sick and baby pigs like soccer balls and
punching lactating mother pigs with their fists. ItACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-5210277702959084392015-01-26T10:39:00.000-07:002015-01-26T10:39:10.767-07:00It's time for Wyoming to get serious about marijuana policies
It’s time for Wyoming lawmakers to have a serious
conversation about enacting sensible reforms when it comes to our state’s
marijuana policies.
A great place to start is House Bill 0029, which would
remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. This
proposal would impose a civil, not criminal, penalty with a fine of up to $100
for a first or second offense. ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-1793785814820166292014-12-12T11:18:00.001-07:002014-12-12T14:56:00.605-07:00Why felon enfranchisement matters
As
United States citizens we have the ability to cast a vote in elections to voice
our opinion with regard to who we believe will best represent our community. But
if you’re a convicted felon, that right can be taken away. In a democracy, voting is a right, not a
privilege. Yet in our country, well over five million citizens are unable to
participate in this most basic, fundamental right ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-27842011090541711252014-11-19T09:59:00.000-07:002014-11-19T09:59:47.533-07:00What the numbers tell us about students with disabilities
On October 21 the U.S Education Department’s Office for
Civil Rights issued guidance to schools reinforcing the fact that bullying is
not to be tolerated in our schools. The guidance
included a reminder that this applies to those students with disabilities. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act outline school’s responsibilities
toACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-21173131051040537242014-10-28T15:22:00.000-06:002014-10-28T15:22:40.778-06:00Are you ready for Election Day?
With less than a week until Election Day, it’s important
to remember that every vote counts! In order to participate in the democratic process all
voters need to understand the rules in our state, register on time, and show up
at the correct polling place. Follow these steps to make sure can vote in this
year’s election:
Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th
Wyoming polls are open ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-25764939189514906462014-10-17T15:41:00.000-06:002014-10-20T15:40:36.012-06:00Marriage Equality Comes to Wyoming
Federal Court Strikes Down Gay Marriage Ban in
Wyoming
CHEYENNE, WY – Today,
U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl declared Wyoming’s ban on same-sex marriage
unconstitutional. The State of Wyoming has until October 23rd to decide if it
will appeal the decision. Governor Mead indicated last night that the state
would not appeal.
The American Civil
Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wyoming ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-61117405780975908262014-10-09T13:50:00.000-06:002014-10-09T13:50:09.458-06:00Press Release: Statement on Marriage Equality
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2014
Contact: Jennifer Horvath, Staff Attorney;
jhorvath@aclu.org, 307.637.4565
CHEYENNE, WY – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
of Wyoming celebrates the U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions this morning denying
certiorari in the pending marriage cases.
This is a wonderful victory for same-sex couples who will soon be able
to marryACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-68265222486570210032014-10-06T10:17:00.000-06:002014-10-06T10:18:15.046-06:00Learn about new death penalty project - Final Words
Dear friends and ACLU supporters:
We wanted to share information with you regarding the launch of an incredible project – Final Words. Since 1982, the State of Texas has put to death 517 convicted inmates. This translates to a rate of more than one person executed every month for thirty-one years. Final Words is a haunting collection of the final statements by condemned men and women on ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-18972674197702251602014-09-30T14:25:00.000-06:002014-09-30T14:25:43.926-06:00It's time to talk about militarized policing
(As originally run in the Casper Star Tribune)
Goshen County Wyoming has a grenade launcher. Converse
County has four armored vehicles and Albany County has one. Sweetwater County
has sixty assault rifles and Fremont County has twenty nine. Natrona County has four armored vehicles and
up to sixty assault rifles; Laramie County has an armored vehicle, assault
rifles, flak vests and ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-84986661992793459812014-07-14T10:46:00.000-06:002014-07-14T10:46:33.930-06:0010th Circuit weighs in on the freedom to marry
Two weeks ago, in Kitchen v. Herbert, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Utah’s
constitutional ban on same-sex couples’ ability to marry. The court held that
“The Fourteenth Amendment protects the fundamental right to marry, establish a
family, raise children, and enjoy the full protection of a state’s marital
laws.”
This case is a major victory for same-sex couples. It is
also ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-16577086963132893082014-07-01T11:08:00.002-06:002014-07-01T11:08:45.421-06:00ACLU of Wyoming goes to Cody
Last week the ACLU of Wyoming staff attended the 26th
Annual Conference of the National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts hosted by the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation in Cody. Keynote
addresses from Honorable Judge Lance Ito, former U.S. Secretary of
Transportation Norman Mineta, and former U.S. Senator Alan Simpson set the tone
for the entire conference. Each of them ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-51916029202389223612014-05-28T14:48:00.001-06:002014-05-29T13:32:55.890-06:00Lock ‘Em Up and Throw Away the Key
We believe that the character of society should be judged on
how we treat our most vulnerable members. The ACLU of Wyoming advocates for the
safe and humane treatment of prisoners – both for their sake while they are
incarcerated and for society’s sake when they are released.
While it’s easy to think we can just “lock ‘em up and throw
away the key,” about 97% of Wyoming prisoners will ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-78268930605556013762014-03-19T14:27:00.000-06:002014-03-19T14:27:33.948-06:002014 Budget Session: Legislative Wrap-Up
The Wyoming Legislative session ended last week on a
disappointing note with Representatives Bob Nicholas (R- Cheyenne) and Tim Stubson
(R-Casper) destroying SF 28 Post- Conviction actual innocence and
SF30 Compensation for persons exonerated based on DNA evidence. Rep.
Nicholas amended both bills to include onerous hearing provisions that
indicated that he was on a crusade to ensure that ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-29610613973814400512014-03-06T16:47:00.000-07:002014-03-06T16:47:28.528-07:00ACLU of Wyoming statement of support on marriage lawsuit, Courage v. Wyoming
Yesterday, four couples and Wyoming Equality filed the
first-ever challenge to Wyoming’s laws on marriage in the case of Courage v. Wyoming. While we are not
directly involved in this lawsuit, the ACLU of Wyoming stands in solidarity
with Wyoming Equality and the plaintiffs who are arguing that current law
violates the Wyoming’s Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection and due
process.
ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-46295663439906333752014-02-20T18:04:00.001-07:002014-02-25T14:19:04.330-07:00Legislative Update: Week Two
As usual the first week of the 2014 Wyoming legislative
budget session was brisk and many non-budget bills had been filed for
consideration. During a budget session any bill that is not an appropriations
or budget bill must receive a 2/3 vote for introduction. A number of bills received that 2/3’s vote
this year giving committees a lot of work to accomplish in the first weeks of
the ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-79526973120192896212014-01-17T12:00:00.000-07:002014-01-17T12:00:45.589-07:002013. It was a good year for freedom.
The ACLU’s victories are
your victories.
ACLU National highlights:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->·
<!--[endif]-->Securing the Freedom to Marry. The Supreme Court
ended the federal government’s discrimination against legally married same-sex
couples
<!--[if !supportLists]-->·
<!--[endifACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-23067371865024824522013-08-26T12:40:00.000-06:002013-08-30T11:26:56.111-06:00Wyoming Has The Worst Gender Wage Gap in America
Sorry, Wyoming. You have the worst gender wage gap in
America. Our state ranks dead last in the nation for the gap between the wages
of men and women whether calculated by year round work or measured by hourly or
weekly wages. Nationally, women working full-time make on average 77 cents for
every dollar earned by men. In Wyoming, women earned only 67 cents
for every
dollar earned by men.
To ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2568741220860285252.post-40235228118576764062013-08-07T15:55:00.000-06:002013-08-07T15:55:35.009-06:00The NSA Unchained
Contrary to what defenders of the National Security Agency’s
surveillance programs would have us believe, the communications of each and
every one of us are clearly vulnerable to government spying.
As we have learned from recent media disclosures, under the
Patriot Act, the government has been secretly tracking the calls of customers
of major telecommunications companies for years. And ACLU of Wyoming http://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400852894674882noreply@blogger.com