Stop Predatory Gambling

Philadelphia puts the casinos on trial

by spgadmin

Today, thirteen Philadelphia citizens arrested in a highly-publicized but peaceful demonstration against the government program of predatory gambling were found not guilty. The citizens had lined the entrance to the proposed SugarHouse casino site which recently started construction.

The Sugarhouse 13 range in age from 25 to 72 and include several grandparents, two members of the clergy, several public school teachers, and veterans of the Civil Rights Movement. Each defendant testified on her or his own behalf. 

SPG Executive Director Les Bernal traveled to Philadelphia to support these 13 people as well as the many others who helped them. He had the privilege to speak at a rally held right before the trial began.

He let them know that there are thousands of citizens across the country just like them who are challenging the government program of predatory gambling in their own states. 

But Bernal also responded to the people who defend the predatory gambling trade and label those who stand against them as “extremists.” He pointed to Dr. Martin Luther King’s celebrated Letter from Birmingham Jail in which he wrote: “The question is not whether we will be extremist but what kind of extremists will we be?” 

The government program of predatory gambling commands us to answer that question. Will we be extremists for exploitation or will we be extremists for patriotism? Will we be extremists for personal greed or will we be extremists for the common good? 

Thirteen people in Philadelphia showed us their answer through their actions. If you want to demonstrate your answer by organizing a direct action in your state or donating money to finance one, please email or call us at SPG. To donate, click the link on the right side of this page. America needs you right now.