Updated with Photos- Rally Underway in Montgomery in Support of Bingo Legislation

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Posted by: Tim Alexander
Date: Feb 04 2010 5:47 AM

A rally is officially underway on the steps of the State Capitol of Montgomery in support of a bingo bill that will allow the citizens of Alabama to vote. They plan is to turn the event from a rally into a march that will end at the State House. From there, supporters of the bill are hoping to meet with elected officials including state senators and state representatives to share their opinion on the issue.

Macon County Commission Chairman Louis Maxwell spoke on behalf of his residents. Maxwell said that he doesn't know a lot about White Hall and Country Crossing but he does know a lot about Macon County and Victoryland. Maxwell compared the events going on with bingo to the 1960's march in Selma and the issues surround it.

Maxwell said he regrets that the Governor had to go to Washington because he would liked to have asked him "Why Now" in reference to what he is doing related to gambling in Alabama.

"We stand with you united because this is a statewide issue," said Maxwell. "We will not be denied. Let's do it. Ok!"

Another elected official spoke up saying "it's time for the Governor to open up the doors and let the people go back to work" at the various bingo facilities that are currently closed in the state of Alabama.

Another elected official shared that it's terrible that the citizens of Alabama had to come to Montgomery to express their given rights. "I want the people to understand that this is about you...your welfare, your families...you."

The County Commission Chairman for Lowndes County spoke up saying that Macon County was a neighboring county and he was not going to sit still while his neighbor's jobs were trying to be taken away. His comments received a huge round of applause.

A representative with County Crossing also spoke and said the people should be allowed to vote. He further stated that the machines at Country Crossing meet all the criteria set forth by the Supreme Court of Alabama.

The Rev. Kenneth Glascow spoke about the rights of the citizens of the state of Alabama. He received a huge response when referencing the Mississippi Casinos. "Let us vote," said Glascow which led to the crowd chanting "Let us vote" over and over.

Judge Rose Sanders, wife of Senator Hank Sanders, compared Governor Bob Riley to Governor George Wallace. Sanders said that Wallace was not willing to follow the law at a time in the 1960's and that Riley was trying to do the same thing now with bingo. "Support the right to vote," said Sanders.

The crowd has been led in the singing of "We Shall Overcome" including the added stanza of "We Will Save Our Jobs" to finish out the rally portion of the event.

Additional details and photographs will be added later today!

Four buses left Country Crossing to attend the rally in Montgomery earlier today.

Photo's By: Matt Boster

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