Update: Here is a 3-minute clip of last Thursday’s press conference. Vote “YES” on Question 3 this November to repeal casinos in MA!
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For Immediate Release
October 9, 2014
Phone: (617) 390-8944
Contact: Stephen Eisele
Email: seisele@melwoodglobal.com
Faith for Repeal Launches Statewide Interfaith Campaign Against Casinos
BOSTON – This Thursday, October 9, a diverse group of faith leaders from throughout the state will gather together in solidarity at Old South Church, Copley Square at 1:00 p.m. to formally launch Faith for Repeal, a grassroots faith movement against casinos in Massachusetts.
The interfaith group, consisting of Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders, will present their case for Voting Yes on Question 3 to repeal the expanded gaming law. The group has a strong network of faith communities throughout the Commonwealth that will be engaged in outreach activities in advance of the November 4 election.
“All faith traditions call us to love our neighbor and protect the less fortunate,” said the Rt. Rev. Doug Fisher, Episcopal Bishop of Western Massachusetts. “People of compassion understand that casinos are bad news for the poor. The citizens of Massachusetts have plenty of imagination to solve employment issues without falling for the illusion of casino prosperity.”
Old South Church, Copley Square, has deep connections to the history of freedom and justice in Massachusetts. Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, Phyllis Wheatley (early African-American poet), and Mary Chilton (Mayflower passenger) were all congregation members.
“For people of faith, life is not a game of chance,” said Rabbi Victor Reinstein of Nehar Shalom Community Synagogue in Jamaica Plain. “It’s a cooperative effort to bring out the best in each other for the sake of the common good. Casinos are a stumbling block that endanger the wellbeing of many, for whom we are all responsible.”
Last month, the Catholic Bishops of Massachusetts came out in favor of casino repeal. This Thursday, members from the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities stand together to stop the casino mess and urge voters to vote for the greater good.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
1:00 p.m.
Gordon Chapel
Old South Church, Copley Square
645 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
“The so-called benefits of gambling on the economy remain illusory for most – except the gambling magnates,” said Dr. Abdul Cader Asmal of the Islamic Council of New England. “We join with our interfaith partners in alerting our society to the false seduction proffered by expanding gambling in our community.”
For more information on Faith for Repeal, please visit www.faithforrepeal.com. Faith for Repeal is organized by faith-based, grassroots support with the assistance of Repeal the Casino Deal staff.
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For more details on the campaign, click here.