Casino Fighters at Drexel Debates Score a Big Hit
[by Mary Reinhart]
Question: Would the Democratic Presidential Candidates' Debate at Drexel University offer us a chance to educate the candidates, the national press and even more Philadelphians about the casino issue and the efforts by the State to steal our democratic rights away?
Answer: Well, yeah!!! Let's roll !!!
So after quickly "telephone treeing", grabbing signs, carpooling and rendezvousing at the campus:
On Tuesday 10/30 from 4:30 to 8:30 PM, determined casino fighters stood at 31st & Chestnut St. telling the tale to everyone there during the hoopla of the nationally televised debate. Arriving early, we got the prime front row place in the spotlight right across from the front door of the debate hall! That made it easy for the press to see and cover us.
We set up our huge "No Casino Here" and "Don't Betray us Ed Rendell" signs and our smaller "No Gambling Here, Rendell = Casino Corruption" and "Hillary, Keep Rendell Off ALL Lists!" signs between the Edwards and Obama camps.
And before the debates began, Chris Matthews of TV's Hardball interviewed politicians including Howard Dean, Michael Nutter and Ed Rendell around the corner on an outdoor stage.
While some held the Chestnut Street location, others of us surrounded the outdoor stage and waved our signs at everyone on it.
The very best moments came when we made our presence known to Ed Rendell.
We were only 15 feet away and, calling out to him, we let him know that we would fight forever and also tell the whole world of his corrupt misdeeds (see the press coverage below.) His face fell, he turned away and began pacing! Embarrassed and uncomfortable, he could not turn toward us, but he felt us! Did he ever!
And we really got nice coverage in the press. (See the links below.) Every opportunity is important and moving quickly to seize the moment can be well worth the effort.
Debate draws a vocal chorus: Nay-sayers and sign-wavers
Inquirer By Thomas Fitzgerald 10-31
...The crowd sprouted signs for Clinton, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, not to mention GOP candidate Ron Paul. Others hoisted "No Casino Here" placards, taking national their fight against slot parlors slated along the Delaware River... As Rendell spoke to reporters, anti-casino protesters shouted at him: "Shame on you for betraying the city! Tell him about the corrupt casino process, Ed!" See also It's all about being seen.
47767 [at] kyw [dot] dayport [dot] com">Protestors Join Candidates At Drexel University
CBS News 10-30
