SugarHouse: This is our moment

From the beginning, our mission has been "to stop casinos from coming to Philadelphia and close any that open." And since last year, our In the Red campaign has been led by Philadelphians calling for "bankrupting casinos before they bankrupt us."

Next month, our community will confront the first test of this pledge.

On Sept. 22, 2010, SugarHouse casino will open on the riverfront in Fishtown. And on that Wednesday morning, we will announce our plans to send them into bankruptcy.

We know this is a difficult moment for you, as it is for us. But out of crisis comes opportunity, and we can use this moment to demonstrate to spineless politicians and soulless developers that a better Philadelphia is possible. Indeed, many of you have already contributed to our community mural depicting such alternatives (if you haven't, add your name now).

On Wednesday evening, Aug. 25, we will meet in Center City to plan and strategize around SugarHouse's opening and the next steps forward. Please RSVP for this meeting now.

We want a city that thrives because of true economic development, not a job killing predatory business that relies on addiction to succeed. And with your help, we can shut it down before it gets a chance to take hold.

We've tried to get an elected official to represent our interests, and not one has. We've requested an objective, independent study of the economic costs of these proposed casinos, and received nothing — though the PA Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority suggested casinos will eliminate three jobs for every one they create, and we know casinos will offer no long-term relief to our state budget. In Philadelphia, we had a public process to develop your vision for the waterfront — which was ignored.

The paradox of SugarHouse's opening is that we, Philadelphia's citizens, have never had more power than we have now.

We know SugarHouse has had to open with far fewer slot machines than they planned, and Foxwoods casino — still waiting in the wings — has cited "community opposition" in its difficulties in getting financing. Earlier this year, we put predatory gambling on trial — and won. We've forced a complacent government and an inattentive news media to take notice. And as our detailed study from last fall showed, all odds are against Philly casinos doing well.

We'll continue to increase the pressure on casinos, preventing them from opening when we can and shutting them down when we must.

This is our moment. Please join us on August 25.

At this pivotal moment, financial support for our fight is critical. Please help keep the fight alive: Make a donation to Casino-Free Philadelphia