The Pests

Casino-Free Philadelphia

by Isaiah Thompson

Neal Santos THE FREEDOM FROM FIGHTERS: Casino-Free Philadelphia's Ivan Boothe, Lily Cavanagh and Jethro Heiko (L-R).

It's gotten harder and harder to keep up with news about Foxwoods and SugarHouse, the two casinos authorized by Harrisburg to open up shop here in Philly whether we like it or not. First, they were both going to be on the waterfront. Then, Foxwoods wanted to move to Chinatown, then a few blocks east. Then Donald Trump sued the gaming board. Once, Mayor Nutter was opposed to the casinos; then he supported Foxwoods but not SugarHouse; then he OK'd both; now he's mad at Foxwoods again. Woof.

Casino-Free Philadelphia, on the other hand, has maintained a position that is very simple, and very clear: no casinos in Philadelphia. Period.

And while various parties have called the casinos various bad things — badly planned, poorly located, questionably financed — it was Casino-Free that had the gumption to call them "predatory." As a result, their coalition has grown to incorporate religious leaders, church groups and community leaders whose stance against casinos isn't NIMBYism but a heartfelt belief that casinos will hurt our whole city.

In the last year, the group has tried to move the debate away from parking and planning issues and neighborhood-specific opposition — and focus instead on the nature of urban casinos and the hypnotic slot machines that sustain them.

By emphasizing evidence that huge portions of casino profits come from people with serious gambling problems (studies yet to be acknowledged, much less contradicted, by our elected officials), Casino-Free helped make the struggle against casinos a moral one.

Honorable Mention: Activism and Watchdogs

The Rev. Robin Hynicka
He's steered his Arch Street Methodist congregation toward addressing homelessness, holding a memorial for a mentally ill homeless man killed by police, our "unknown neighbor."

Library Activists
Demand and you shall receive (Plan Cs notwithstanding). Has there been a more successful civic coalition in city history?

Bill Golderer
Brings the affluent and downtrodden together at Broad Street Ministry where he lured Lear deBessonet's contemporary 'Quixote' and hosts "Philly's most dangerous dinner party."