Alabama Baptists gather for anti-gambling rally; vocal opposition gathers en masse

Anti-gambling leaders had their work cut out for them to speak over an unruly crowd at a rally held Feb. 23 on the steps of the Statehouse.

Hundreds of Alabama Baptists and others against illegal gambling in the state gathered to show support for Gov. Bob Riley and other leaders, but they were met with large numbers of the opposition who had also turned out en masse.

An event meant to rally those in favor of upholding laws against slot machines quickly turned into an event addressing the vocal opponents present. Picketers with signs shouted, country music stars meandered through the people present and four greyhounds were trotted through the crowd.

Chanting “let the people vote,” opponents refused to be quieted for Riley, Alabama Citizens Action Program Executive Director Joe Godfrey, several pastors and others to address the crowd.

“This right here illustrates our point,” Godfrey said. “People say they want to vote, but they have no interest in hearing others’ opinion. They want to intimidate others to silence.”

When the crowd was finally calm enough for Riley to speak, he told the opposition, “You have a right to vote, but you do not have a right to stop a democratic process or violate the law. As long as I’m governor, we’ll enforce the law.”

It is illegal to have slot machines in Alabama, he said. “If you want to change that, change it in here,” he added, pointing to the Statehouse and challenging them to make themselves heard through the House and Senate.

First lady Patsy Riley challenged the crowd to stop wasting time on things that have been voted on already.

“If you want jobs, let them have time to work to bring in industry into Alabama,” she said.

Ed Litton, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, North Mobile, in Saraland, noted that everyone, regardless of viewpoint, could at least agree that the sun was shining at the rally.

“The sun is shining because God is shining light on this corruption,” he said. “Pastors are here because our people are suffering. We’re standing firm against evil.”