Lost amid the swirling media stories of the day comes the remarkable effort by the people of Brockton. They have successfully stood up to a billionaire out-of-state gambling operator who, in partnership with the city and state political establishment, are trying to force a casino across the street from the community’s public high school.
Very few legislators could win an election if they were outspent 2-1. Virtually none could win if they were outspent 3-1. Now, imagine being outspent almost 2000-1! That’s what happened in Brockton where the gambling operator spent more than $1 million to win a citywide vote yesterday yet only took 143 votes more than the citizen opposition.
Media and political types will now attempt to declare “the people have spoken” as they continue their drive to push a casino into one of the poorer communities in Massachusetts.
Brockton citizens educated their neighbors about how casinos are dishonest, financially damaging to citizens and contribute to rising unfairness and inequality. Their efforts are the embodiment of real social justice in our world today. Their selflessness and fortitude are worthy of emulation by all of us.
Les Bernal
