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Indiana Area Office of The United
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1100 West 42nd Street Suite #210
Indianapolis, IN 46208
317.924.1321 (Voice)
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February 23, 2001
Contact:
Lynne DeMichele 317/924-1321, ext. 18
or Dick Hamilton 317/925-0049
Statehouse Anti Gambling Expansion Rally Wednesday, Feb. 28
As the Indiana Assembly is considering a spate of bills, many of which would expand the presence of gambling interests in the state, a rally is being staged by those opposed to expansion. Civic groups, concerned citizens and church members from around the state will gather in the Indiana Statehouse next week to hear public statements urging legislators to put the brakes on the seeming relentless spread of legalized gambling in this once gambling-free state.
The rally will be staged from 2:30 to 3:15 Wednesday afternoon in the Statehouse Rotunda.
Speakers making brief remarks: Bishop Woodie W. White (United Methodist), State Senators Pat Miller (R) Indianapolis, and Bill Alexa (D) Valparaiso; Micah Clark, Exec. Dir. of Indiana Family Institute; Tom Hefner, CEO of Duke-Weeks Realty, Indianapolis; Rev. Alan Weinacht, top Indiana church executive of the Society of Friends (Quakers); Carter Wolf, former member Gov. O'Bannon's staff (speaking from the perspective of small-businesses)
A key presenter will be the Rev. Tom Grey, Exec. Dir. of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, based in Washington, D.C. Grey has been featured often in recent years on national television network programs when gambling issues were addressed, as well as in articles on gambling in Newsweek, Time, the New York Times and other national publications.
A rather unusual element of the event will be the presence of "social justice clowns" -- one representing the powerful gambling lobby, "Fat Cat", and symbolically stuffed with money; another, "Sad Loser" clown will represent the woes of gambling addiction. Demonstrators will carry placards detailing negative issues of Indiana's gambling environment. Attendees are expected to come from around the state and will represent a wide range of faith-based and social service groups including the Michiana Against Casinos (business-based group in Elkhart), Citizens Against Riverboat Casinos (Louisville area), Southern Indiana Citizens Against Gambling, Protect Our River Environment, Common Cause, Wabash Valley Ministerial Assn., Church Women United, The Society of Friends (Quakers), United Methodists, Indiana Family Institute, Presbyterians, Episcopals, United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Southern Baptists and American Baptists, among others.
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