SugarHouse Direct Action

On Sept. 29, 2009, more than 60 Casino-Free activists gathered to stand strong against casinos in Philadelphia. Fourteen of us were prepared to engage in civil disobedience and were peacefully arrested and taken into custody, to be released about 12 hours later. We spoke with our bodies, and a simple message: We'll bankrupt casinos before they can bankrupt us. Fourteen activists were arrested, representing neighborhoods and organizations from throughout Philadelphia. Ranging in age from 20 to 70; including two members of the clergy; residents of Fishtown, Center City, South Philly and West Philly; they spoke with one voice: predatory gambling out of Philadelphia! Our action was just the beginning — we are serious when we say that we will shut down any casinos that open, and demonstrated our commitment on Sept. 29. We encourage the financial backers of SugarHouse and Foxwoods to reconsider the stability of these risky investments, but if any casinos do attempt to set up shop we are prepared to shut them down. At every step of the way, cynical politicians and compromised regulators told us casinos were a "done deal" — but we know the real power rests with you, the people.