The Wyoming Interfaith Network stands in support of the hundreds of Wyoming people and millions around the United States and the world who are marching and demonstrating for racial justice.

The vision of the Wyoming Interfaith Network is to partner with others in bringing together the diverse voices of our communities to challenge religious and political extremism. As a multi-faith organization and people of religious conviction, we are committed to living faithfully and justly in the world. That commitment demands we join in solidarity with those who are speaking out. To remain silent during these times would be to ignore the foundational beliefs of every faith community.

In the Hebrew Bible, it is written, “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” (Isaiah 1:16-17)

The Holy Quran of our Muslim brothers and sisters advises we must “stand firm for justice, even if it is against ourselves.” (4:135). Unitarian Universalism's faith practice and commitment to justice are based on valuing every single person's inherent worth and dignity; promoting justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; and engaging the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process.

The basis of Christianity is the commandment to love God and one another and to see the face of Christ in “the least of these,” all members of the family of God. (Matthew 25)

In the coming months, we encourage leaders and teachers in every faith community throughout Wyoming to engage in an honest dialogue about white privilege and what it means to a community when some people are denied the benefits enjoyed by others on the basis of the color of their skin.

We join with the Civil Rights Movement’s icon, Georgia Congressman John Lewis in his call for peaceful protests, recognizing that justice has been denied to too many, for far too long. Lewis has implored all people of goodwill to: “Organize. Demonstrate. Sit in. Stand-up. Vote. Be constructive, not destructive.”

The Wyoming Interfaith Network urges all people of faith to do likewise.