Anti-gambling leaders had their work cut out for them trying to speak over an unruly crowd at a rally held Feb. 23 at 12:30 p.m. 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 also had turned out en masse.
Though the opposition had planned its own rally at the same venue at 2 p.m., picketers with signs arrived early to shout loudly over the anti-gambling rally’s speakers. Country music stars also meandered around, 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 told the crowd. “People say they want to vote, but they have no interest in hearing others’ opinion. They want to intimidate others to silence.”
An event meant to rally those in favor of upholding laws against slot machines quickly turned into an event addressing the vocal opponents present.
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.
Members of the opposition waved signs and yelled comments about how the closing of bingo parlors is taking away jobs in Alabama.
These kind of accusations “regurgitate the same old doctrine about jobs being lost,” Riley said, but it’s the gaming industry that destroys jobs, he explained.
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.”
Bob Riley affirmed that stand.
“Those of us who believe gambling is destructive for our state are going to do everything we can to keep it out,” he said.
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