Harvard Professors and Clergy to Address the Media on Question 3 on Monday 9/22

(Cambridge, MA Sept. 20, 2014) Harvard University Professors and clergy in conjunction with Stand For Democracy will be gathering on the steps of Memorial Church at Harvard Yard at 11 AM Monday, September 22 to address the media on the religious and academic involvement behind repealing Question 3. This will be the first time that Catholic Clergy will be speaking publicly since Cardinal O’Malley and three other Bishops penned a letter backing the casino repeal effort.

Professor David Carrasco, the Neil L. Rudenstine Professor at Harvard characterized expanded gambling in Massachusetts as a systematic exploitation of the poor. Father Francisco Anzoategui of the Archdiocese of Boston said he is working around Question 3 to “stand for the poor”. Anzoategui, who oversees over 40 parishes throughout the greater Boston area has pledged to mobilize his parishes to educate his congregants on the societal ills of expanded gaming.

Moreover, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has pledged to mobilize more than 150 congregations throughout the region. The ELCA had previously played a major role in defeating the proposed Suffolk Downs proposal last November, as its parish in East Boston, Our Saviour’s, served as the nerve center for anti-casino activists and strategists. Clergy from the ELCA will be discussing their plans to further support Question 3.

This press conference comes at a time of uncertainty for the repeal camp. “We understand that our friends throughout the repeal camp have amassed a large amount of legal debt courageously fighting a predatory Goliath. However, we, Stand For Democracy and our religious affiliates are here to assure those in support of Question 3, MGM, Penn National, and Steve Wynn that the religious communities in Massachusetts have never been stronger and on a more united front with regards to a social issue than with Question 3”, said Sunha Kim of Stand For Democracy. “Keep in mind that East Boston was outspent nearly 100-1, yet the anti-casino campaign still prevailed. Ultimately, nobody is praying for a casino”, Kim continued.

Professor Harvey Cox, the Hollis Research Professor at Harvard will re-affirm his call for a one thousand minister anti-casino conference to be held at Harvard. Professor Cox is a world renowned theologian and academic who has spent the greater part of his life working on social justice and civil rights issues. “I am here, in part because this is my expression of my religious commitment, and I have been formed in my attitudes by a couple of people, one of them being Martin Luther King and more recently, Pope Francis ” Cox said. An official date for the conference will be released Monday at the press conference.

State Representative Candidate Celeste Ribeiro Myers Calls for Three Public Debates in East Boston

(EAST BOSTON, MA July 31, 2014) —Celeste Ribeiro Myers, candidate for Suffolk County’s State Representative seat in the First District, today invited her opponent, Rep. Carlo Basile, to participate in three public debates or forums leading up to the Nov. 4 election. In a letter to the Basile campaign Thursday, the Myers campaign called for three public debates: one focusing on development in East Boston, another chosen by the Basile campaign, and a third debate covering a variety of topics.

“Voters should know where we come down on issues affecting East Boston and have the opportunity to hear our respective visions for this community, which no doubt differ in many ways,” the letter states.

The letter also requests a meeting between representatives of each campaign to finalize debate topics and discuss possible sponsors, venues and formats, and asks the Basile campaign to respond by next Wednesday.

Myers, a lifelong East Boston resident, is known for leading the ballot question campaign group No Eastie Casino, which successfully defeated a proposal to site a casino at Suffolk Downs in East Boston on Nov. 5, 2013. (Basile opposed an area casino as a candidate in 2007 but vigorously supported casino plans in the run-up to the vote).

Earlier this month, Myers asked Basile to join her in rejecting campaign contributions from special interest groups, including lobbyists. The Basile campaign has not yet responded to the request to take the “people’s pledge.”

Myers’ robust platform includes plans to give residents more say in how Eastie develops; transportation improvements; job creation and economic development; health; and equality and inclusion for all. Check out her entire platform at www.celesteforeastboston.com.

Source: Steve Holt, 617-447-6519

Stand For Democracy and Don Berwick for Governor Campaigns Agree to Work Collaboratively in the Fight Against Casinos

Source Sunha Kim, (310) 710-3348, spk454@mail.harvard.edu

Leaders from both Stand For Democracy and Don Berwick for Governor campaigns met last week to discuss the repeal of the 2011 Expanded Gaming Act. Both organizations have agreed to work collaboratively towards repealing the commonwealth’s casino law and promoting Berwick’s stance as the only candidate opposed to casinos and supporting the repeal. “We have taken a close look at all of the gubernatorial candidates and their stance on casinos in Massachusetts. Don Berwick’s position against casinos is the only one in line with that of Stand For Democracy”, said Pedro Morales, one of the founders of Stand For Democracy.

Stand For Democracy is an organization that emanates from the successful 2013 anti-casino campaign in East Boston. “Don was inspired by the ability of grassroots activists to take on powerful corporate interests in the East Boston casino referendum. It is exciting to collaborate with some of the leaders of that movement, and we look forward to working together to promote Don’s position on this crucial issue around the state,” said David Marsh of the Berwick campaign. A schedule of joint events will be released shortly.