It was with some concern that we, the board of directors for the Wyoming Press Association, read recently of the American Civil Liberties Union’s decision to close its Wyoming office.
Over the years, the ACLU and its Wyoming staff have been crucial in the ongoing effort to maintain government transparency. Without the steadfast support of the ACLU, some of the advances made in Wyoming’s open meetings and public documents laws would never have occurred. The ACLU has been a true and loyal supporter of the cause of open government.
But this is not the only reason to be worried about the ACLU’s decision. Historically, the ACLU has been a fervent guardian of our civil rights and a strong opponent of threats to our freedoms. Its positions are often unpopular, and in that quality, the ACLU shares much with the First Amendment – its primary goal is to protect unpopular speech.
Without these crusaders, we share the belief of others that an important voice in protecting the rights of those least able to speak up in their own defense in Wyoming will be lost.
We would respectfully ask the New York headquarters of the ACLU to reconsider its decision to close down its Wyoming chapter or, at the very least, to consider operating a shared office in the Rocky Mountain region that would serve Wyoming. Such an arrangement would allow continued ACLU support by personnel well acquainted with the issues and attitudes of the area.
Thank you
WPA President Robb Hicks, Buffalo Bulletin
With:
WPA Vice President Toby Bonner, Powell Tribune
WPA Secretary Treasurer Bob Kennedy, Cody Enterprise
Director Anne McGowan, Lander Journal
Director D. Reed Eckhardt, Wyoming Tribune-Eagle
Director Deb Sutton, Rocket-Miner
Director Jason Adrians, Casper Star-Tribune
Director Mark Tesoro, Uinta County Herald
Director Nathan Oster, Greybull Standard
Director Louie Mullen, Thermopolis Independent Record
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