CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Wyoming lawmaker Rep. Scott Clem, R-Gillette is planning a rally at the State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 4, the same day his term in office ends. Clem represents Wyoming House District 31.
According to his post on his Facebook page on Dec. 28, the rally is in protest of Governor Gordon’s statewide health orders set to expire on Jan. 8. The orders took effect on Dec. 8.
The post reads in part, “It’s time to practice our constitutional rights to peaceably assemble and protest the tyranny of our Wyoming State Governor. If you feel like your government has disregarded your voice, your freedom, and your constitutional rights, please join us.” Clem goes on to say how, “Wyomingites (are) pleading for their rights to be upheld, to operate their businesses without gov’t infringement, to plead for their right to work and make a living.”
Clem then calls on supporters to take a day off of work to attend, writing, “It’s time to make them hear our voices. This is something to take off work for. This is something to assemble en masse for. It’s your turn to stand for the freedoms our fathers gave their lives for.”
In a press release released by Governor Gordon’s office on Dec. 7, the Governor explains his decision, saying, “Our state and those surrounding us are facing a hospital capacity crisis that now compels us to take additional action. All through the fall, Wyoming has seen a rise in serious cases of COVID to a point where every county is facing critical and dangerous levels of spread of the virus. Too many people have died,” Governor Gordon said. “Science tells us limiting gatherings of groups and using face coverings are effective in slowing transmission of this virus. With these actions, we can avoid taking the more drastic step of closing schools and businesses.”
As of Dec. 29, 405 people in Wyoming have died of COVID-19, 29 of those deaths were Campbell County residents. 3,779 people in Campbell County have tested positive for the disease to date.
