(Revere, MA, February 20, 2014) – With less than one week to go until the casino referendum, Don’t Gamble on Revere and Friends of Revere express significant concern about what they describe as an “environment of fear and intimidation” that is being created in Revere surrounding the casino issue.
The casino opponents specifically point towards a Channel 5 investigative report regarding Revere City Councilor Ira Novoselsky approaching and intimidating immigrant business owners to replace anti-casino signs with pro-casino signs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D--kiwo2wz4), as well as Mayor Dan Rizzo sending multiple letters to Revere citizens on behalf of Mohegan Sun.
Joseph Catricala, spokesperson for Don’t Gamble on Revere, states, “Weekly letters paid for by Friends of Mohegan Sun are being sent out with Mayor Rizzo urging citizens to vote ‘Yes’ and claiming if citizens vote ‘No’ then they don’t support Revere. “These actions,” Catricala explains, “are creating an environment of fear and intimidation for voters and business owners within the city to ‘toe the line’ when it comes to the vote, or face the consequences.”
The casino opponents claim that what is at stake in Tuesday’s election is much larger than the ill effects of a casino. “If official intimidation is to stand as the status quo now, what will happen if Revere becomes a casino town?” asks Pastor Tim Bogertman of Revere’s First Congregational Church, a founding member of Friends of Revere. “We have called the Attorney General’s office about these issues, and they have promised to look into the matter further.”
Multiple faith leaders from Revere – including Catholic priests, Protestant pastors, a Rabbi and an Imam – led a rally at Revere’ Immaculate Conception Parish this past Sunday to encourage residents that they can vote ‘No’ on Tuesday, and to assure them that clergy and others are standing with them in their opposition to the proposed casino.
The casino opponents are also sending open letters to William Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth, and to Martha Coakley, the Attorney General, regarding their concerns and they are requesting official monitoring of the polls on the day of the vote.
Source: Joseph Catricala 781-727-6099 / dontgamblerevere@gmail.com
Timothy Bogertman 617-895-7907 / tbogertman@firstcongrevere.org
