Anti-Casino Activists Bow Out of Rally

BANGOR, Maine – As reported by the Bangor Daily News: " planned rally in opposition to a proposed Indian-backed $650 million resort casino in Maine was silenced by the shouts and protests of casino supporters Saturday in front of City Hall.What was supposed to be a public rally on the steps of City Hall featuring Maine Gov. John Baldacci turned into a small press conference held inside a nearby office. As pro-casino representatives shouted `no more lies' and `yes for jobs.' representatives from Casinos No! packed up their signs and left, to the delight of the pro-casino crowd.

"`We're not into shouting matches,' Janet Mills, a spokeswoman for Casinos No!, said during the press conference. `What we see outside is an example of desperate politics. They know the people of Maine have seen the light.'

"The latest polls suggest that opposition to Question 3 has reached nearly 60 percent heading into election day, when voters will decide whether to allow the Penobscot Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe to open a casino in Maine. The projected location for the resort casino is Sanford, in southern Maine.

"…But casino supporters claimed victory after the anti-casino rally was canceled, and the cheers and shouts could be heard from protesters standing outside during the press conference.

"At a pro-casino rally held earlier in the day, Erin Lehane, spokeswoman for the political action committee Think About It, said casino supporters would continue their efforts until voters go to the polls tomorrow…"

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