Hundreds Cheer At Public Lands Rally As Provenza Calls Sen. Mike Lee A 'Jackass'

CHEYENNE — Cheers rang through historic downtown Thursday evening as an estimated 300-400 people gathered at the Wyoming Capitol to protest Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee’s proposal to sell or transfer federal public lands in Wyoming and 10 other Western states. 

Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, organized the protest. 

Shortly after 6 p.m. she asked attendees to cheer when they heard an activity they do on Wyoming’s public lands. 

Several people cheered as she called for hikers, snowmobilers, hunters, anglers, Republicans, Democrats and Independents to declare themselves. 

Many waved signs with bold slogans like “Public lands should stay in public hands,” and “Don’t sell our public lands.” Others were directed toward Wyoming’s congressional delegation, Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis and Rep. Harriet Hageman, calling on them to stop Lee’s plan. 

“Don’t pave paradise and put up a parking lot,” one sign read. 

Another featured The Lorax from the Dr. Seuss book of the same name. 

“I speak for the trees (and the bees and the seas and the birds and the bugs),” the sign read. 

Another proclaimed, “This is bologna.”

‘Let’s Boo That Jackass’

Provenza got a big pop from the crowd when she poked fun at Lee.

“I’d just like to take a moment to thank Sen. Mike Lee for bringing us all here together,” she said. “I’m just kidding. Let’s boo that jackass.” 

Registered Republican Michele Tilley drove more than an hour from Centennial to attend the protest. 

“Centennial is up in the Snowy Range Mountains,” Tilley said. “We’re really passionate about the subject of public lands. We live adjacent to the national forest and BLM land.” 

J.T. Dodson said he moved from Culpeper, Virginia, to Wyoming about a year ago. 

“I love the public lands, the trails, the parks, hiking, and I just want to preserve that,” Dodson said. 

Peggy McCrackin made the 45-minute drive from Laramie to the Capitol. She said the potential sale or transfer of federal land is the most important political issue to her. 

“I’m the biggest user of public lands in all of Laramie, and I’ll challenge anyone on that,” McCrackin said. “Since I retired a year ago, I access my public lands just about every day all year-round.” 

McCrackin said she’s a registered Democrat but didn’t feel party affiliation matters on the issue of the potential sale or transfer. 

“We’re talking snowmobilers, hunters, fishers, hikers, birders, ATV-riders, bikers, picnic-goers and hanging out with your friends,” McCrackin said. 

Selling or transferring public lands also impacts adjacent property owners and national parks, Lynne Berg said. The potential sale or transfer also impacts endangered species and other animals. 

‘Wealthy Elites’ Would Buy It

Michael Basinger also made the drive from Laramie. He was wearing a “Veterans against Trump” shirt and a Harris-Walz 2024 pin on his hat. 

Basinger said he’s a strong believer in public lands and that they were what makes America great. 

“If we start giving it away, it’s going to be brought up by wealthy elites and they’re going to fence out the people it belongs to,” Basinger added. 

He also said he’s upset with the Trump administration’s changes to the Veterans Administration. 

“They’re making decisions that are reducing the best hospital system I’ve ever seen,” Basinger said. 

Father and son James and Colton Schick live in Cheyenne. 

James, a Republican, said they went to the rally to learn more about the process of the group, to voice their concerns and see the federal delegation’s response. 

Colton said he learned about the protest on social media, wants to learn more and may have some political ambitions in the future. 

Tammy Miller was there in her butterfly costume. 

“There’s a bunch of things that need changed, and a butterfly’s wings can change them in a heartbeat,” she said. “Wyoming has the lands of my heart and soul.”

Lee originally developed his proposal for the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act to be considered by the Senate, but it was removed from the bill after Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled that the proposal didn’t comply with the Byrd Rule. 

Lee is said to be working to revise his plan.

Matthew Christian can be reached at matthew@cowboystatedaily.com.