Wyoming Rising is a non-partisan, non-profit, all-volunteer organization. We advocate for civil liberties, quality public education, affordable health care, protection of the environment, and participation in government.
Our goal is to have an impact on public policy, to inform our neighbors and preserve our community’s integrity. The Wyoming Rising leadership team welcomes your involvement. You may choose to pay membership dues, make a cash or in-kind donation, serve on an organizing committee, attend Wyoming Rising meetings and events, follow our online communications, or engage in a combination of these. Regardless of your preferred role, we need and appreciate your help! You may donate and/or join HERE.
Year In Review
During 2019, Wyoming Rising organized and sponsored many events, we shared information on our Community Calendar, and we alerted our followers about actions and volunteer opportunities that can make a difference in our world. We published a monthly newsletter, sent action alerts, we expanded our website and published several guest essays. Here is a look at the many ways Wyoming Rising is making a difference in our community. (See our 2018 year in review)
January
Wyoming Rising started 2019 with our third annual Women and Allies March. On January 19, 2019 we gathered at Cody City Park on Sheridan Ave. in celebration of “2019: The Year of Wyoming Women.” Speakers addressed issues that shape and affect our communities
January Community Calendar Events and Action Alerts:
• Wyoming Women’s Legislative Caucus dinner: Leap into Leadership
February
While the Wyoming Legislature was in session we watched and shared information about bills that we believed were harmful as well as bills to support. We provided background information about each bill, how to locate your legislator and how to write to them.
February Community Calendar Events and Action Alerts:
• Heart Mountain Interpretive Center’s Winter Program Series: The People Outside the Fence
March
Wyoming Rising organized a panel discussion, “Non-Citizens: Essential Employees of Park County”, with employers in Park County, Wyoming about hiring non-U.S. citizens in agriculture and the travel industry. Co-sponsored by the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center. The discussion was recorded and can be seen on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/333451774
March Community Calendar Events and Action Alerts:
• Heart Mountain Interpretive Center’s Winter Program Series: The People Outside the Fence
• Heart Mountain Interpretive Center’s Winter Program Series: Wyoming’s Japanese American Legacy
• Prayer Vigil in Support of DACA
• Park County Democrat elections
• Wyoming Game and Fish Commission meets in Cody
• Five conservationists selected for 2019 Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame
April
Wyoming Rising held its third Earth Day Celebration and March for Science rally. Earth Day is an annual event celebrated worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection and science-based solutions to environmental problems. We also had fun with sign-making parties for the March for Science.
May
May is the month for our annual Wyoming Rising membership meeting and election of new officers. Meet our current team here. We are an all-volunteer organization.
June
9th Annual Return to Foretop’s Father, with panel discussion, dance, pipe ceremony and hike at Heart Mountain Nature Conservancy ranch. Sponsored by the Nature Conservancy, Christ Episcopal Church, and Wyoming Interfaith Network. Supported by Wyoming Rising.
June Community Calendar Events and Action Alerts:
• WY Statewide Summit of Progressives
July
We joined hundreds of concerned citizens around the country to proteste the treatment of immigrants in detention centers at our “Lights for Liberty: A Vigil to End Human Concentration Camps” demonstration in Powell.
July Community Calendar Events and Action Alerts:
• BLM to host public meeting on proposed Cody Shooting Range Complex expansion
• Informational Meeting to stop the proposed ICE prison in Evanston
August
In August we held a Welcome Back gathering for members and friends of Wyoming Rising.
August Community Calendar Events and Action Alerts:
• Bikes and Bears
September
Wyoming Rising organized a series of Community Conversations with renowned photojournalist and American Muslim Robert Azzi, giving a well-informed and impassioned voice to the marginalized or forgotten people in American history .
- “Ask A Muslim Anything”
- Beyond the soundbite: What is Islam and what does it mean to be a Muslim?
- “Jefferson’s Qur’an: Muslims in America 1619-2019”
- Telling The Stories Of The Other: Reclaiming Authentic Voices.
September Community Calendar Events and Action Alerts:
• Research and Creative Symposium on Culture, Gender and Social Justice
• Wyoming Climate Forum: Our Climate Reality
• WYOMING INTERFAITH NETWORK – Public Presentations.
October
October’s Community Conversation “The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion” sought to identify what forces contribute to the polarization between liberals and conservatives.
September Community Calendar Events and Action Alerts:
• Yellowstone Ecosystem Subcommittee of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Fall Meeting in Cody
• Public Lands Day ~ Beartooth Ranch CleanUp
November
Wyoming Rising organized a presentation, “Truth in Action: Climate Reality and Rural Preparedness”. The presentation and discussion focused on climate change and preparedness efforts within Park County. See more here: https://www.wyomingrising.org/2019/11/12/truth-in-action-climate-reality-and-rural-preparedness/
Wyoming rising chair, Ronn Smith, Heart Mountain Interpretive Center director, Dakota Russell participated in a brainstorming session with Wyoming Restorative Justice regarding co-hosting an event with HMIC that would bring experts and local stakeholders together to discuss Restorative Justice.
September Community Calendar Events and Action Alerts:
• Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioner Public Reception
• Deer 139 Film
• Deadline for protesting BLM Oil and Gas Leasing on the Absaroka Beartooth Front
December
We gathered in Powell and Cody for postcard writing parties. We wrote postcards and Christmas cards to our state and national representatives to remind them that we are here, we are watching, and we expect representation.
In December we added a 2020 Election watch page to the website which we will update as the year progresses.
Finally, planning has begun for the 2020 Women’s March. This year the theme is “March For A Better America” January 18, 2020 from 11:00-1:00 beginning at Cody City Park. Please join us for the nations fourth Women’s March – a national expression of resistance and disagreement with the values and character of the current administration. Details will be shared soon.
If you have read this far, you might consider donating or becoming a supporting member so we can continue to give a voice to Wyoming citizens. We can’t continue without your support. Donate to support our work.
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