Protest planners try to calm a nervous Casper as unsubstantiated rumors fly - Oil City News

CASPER, Wyo. – Casper Youth for Change, the group planning a downtown march on Wednesday, June 3, is using its Facebook page to urge calm and to clear the air as rumors spread on social media.

“We continue to say that we want a peaceful exercise of our first amendment rights,” said a post on Casper Youth for Change’s Facebook page on Tuesday morning. “Anyone who has other intentions, please do not come.”

The group said it is working with the Casper Police department, which yesterday asked anyone not involved in the peaceful protest to stay home.

Article continues below...

The youth group suggested doing a “buy-in” to support local businesses after the protest, which is scheduled to start at noon at David Street Station and end at City Hall.

The march was organized in reaction to protests around the country that were sparked by the death of George Floyd, who died after being pinned for more than eight minutes by an arresting Minneapolis police officer. That officer has since been fired and is now in custody.

“In Casper, we still have the opportunity to speak calmly and peacefully with our police, whereas other places don’t,” Casper Youth for Chanbe spokesperson Rhiannon McLean told Oil City on Monday.

A post on the group’s page yesterday addressed rumors they were affiliated with so-called Antifa members.

“We do not endorse violent action, and do not advocate for Antifa ideology,” said the post.

Rumors on social media have incorrectly claimed black busses were trucking in out of town protesters. That has been debunked by the Casper Police Department.

The Glenrock Police Department posted on social media today addressing a rumor that Casper’s protest would continue on in Glenrock and Douglas. That is not true.

The Douglas Police Department also took to Facebook to address their concerns.

“There was information distributed in the Rapid City, South Dakota area that resulted in individuals coming out to ‘protect’ the community and it resulted in some innocent people being harassed,” they said.

“This happened based on either poor, or false information being distributed via social media,” the post continued, saying they are having a “similar” problem with false information being posted regarding Casper’s planned protest.

“Stay calm and peaceful,” Casper Youth for Change said this morning on Facebook. “This is a demonstration of our first amendment rights and to remember the life of George Floyd and other black Americans murdered by police brutality. We condemn and discourage any violence at our protest.”