Thursday, 4:30 PM
Casino protesters picket at State House
(George Rizer/Globe Staff)
By Andrew Ryan and George Rizer, Globe Staff
About two dozen protesters hoisting red and white signs decrying a possible casino in Middleborough picketed this morning at the State House
as Governor Deval Patrick nears the deadline for his decision about whether he will support the expansion of gambling. The signs read "No casino," "Gambling is an addiction," and "Gambling destroys families."
Patrick has said he plans to decide by Labor Day whether he supports the expansion of gaming in Massachusetts, a move that could clear the way for a $1 billion casino in Middleborough. The town already agreed to host a Mashpee Wampanoag gaming facility by a vote of 2,387 to 1,335.
Members of a task force studying the issue are scheduled to meet today with top officials in Patrick's administration. Richard Young, a Middleborough resident and president of Casinofacts.org, led protesters this morning as they walked in circles and lifted up their signs.
"We are having a little picket line to let the governor and his staff know that there are people opposed to the casino," Young said.
The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe must negotiate a compact with the state in order to operate a casino slot machines, which are prohibited in Massachusetts. The protesters planned to hand-deliver a letter to the governor outlining its concerns.
"We are going to ask him to come to Middleborough, view the site, and talk to the citizens of Middleborough," Young said.
(George Rizer/Globe Staff)
