Letting our communities' creativity shine through
The predatory gambling industry and politicians who have supported it have an unusual vision of Philadelphia's community — one in which predatory gambling tears our community apart with higher crime and personal debt, family strife, and displaced spending away from local businesses.
A coalition of individuals and organizations in Philadelphia has a different vision, one of constructive development plans that benefit all citizens rather than schemes that benefit only the wealthy and well connected.
Tommorrow, we'll be demonstrating that vision at Beat the House, a demonstration of community power at Harrah's casino in nearby Chester, PA. It’s an opportunity for all of us to play an active role in shaping a healthy future for a great city.
A central strength of every community is its creativity — and the casino-free coalition has that in spades!
Tomorrow, we'll be publishing live updates on this website and Twitter, using real-time text messages and photographs from our members at Beat the House. Until then, take a look at some of the creative, passionate voices against casinos in our city.
Anti-Casino, Pro-Community Artwork
Just this week, we inaugurated a new office at 718 Market Street — thanks to the generosity of Liberty Resources, a partner in our fight against casinos in Philadelphia. We'll be sharing the office with allies from the No Casino in the Heart of the City coalition. Beth Pulcinella created beautiful murals, shown at right, that frame the entrance to the office.
JJ Tiziou sponsored an anti-casino art contest. Check out some of the inspiring entries, below (click the images to enlarge).
Artists (l-r): Dennis Carlisle, Ahamed Iqbal, Laryssa Kwoczak, Shakira Bowman, Sudeshna Dutta, Evan M. Lopez, Kathryn Allen, Flickr: danyellmc
All's Well that Ends Well: A Hilarious Puppet Tale of Politicians and Casinos in PA
Local theatre group Puppet Uprising created a fantastic short play for our West Philly town hall — featuring "Governor Ends-Well" and an amusing cast of characters. Thanks to the Media Mobilizing Project, the puppet show has been immortalized on YouTube. Check it out!
A Theme Song for Beat the House
We're pleased to present an amazing song about Beat the House, written and performed by two young Philadelphia artists, Isabella LiPuma (age 14) and Chelsea Cylinder (age 13), who produce music together as "Cameron Indigo":
If you would like to create art to support our cause, feel free and send it in — we’ll be happy to present your work to the Casino-Free community.
