NO BLANK CHECK for CASINOS: Letter from the CasiNO campaign

The No Casino in the Heart of the City Coalition sent out this letter today. Sugar House is presenting today to the Gaming Control Board (this time they are not walking out the back door). Also the 11th and Market relocation of Foxwoods is on the agenda for tomorow at City Council, but the coalition will not, "subject our people to the indignity of testifying before governmental bodies who have no apparent interest in what we are saying"
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In the next few days, as our City and State government officials are holding various hearings and working to push slots parlors on Philadelphians, we will be working to mobilize people from across the city to fight against this predatory industry.

But we won't be mobilizing people for the hearings. We have chosen not to subject our people to the indignity of testifying before governmental bodies who have no apparent interest in what we are saying.

We will instead be focusing our efforts on reaching out Philadelphians and asking them to demand more from their City leaders. We have been told time and again what City officials cannot do to protect us from the coming of this predatory industry. What we have not heard and what we are demanding to hear from each and every one of them is what they will do.

It is deplorable that City Council is rushing to fast-track zoning legislation and approve downgraded casino designs - giving up their only leverage with the casinos - without FIRST doing everything in their power to protect our citizenry against this predatory business.

In the next few days, expect a call to action. The No Blank Check for Casinos Campaign will be the next phase of our struggle.

We need citizens armed with knowledge and a love of democracy to take on the largest most insidious industry in our country.