Fairfield, Ala.(WVTM)---Rev. Jesse Jackson was in Fairfield today for a workers' rally for laid-off bingo employees. In Fairfield alone, four-hundred-plus jobs were lost when bingo halls were forced to shut down. But not everyone at the rally supported bingo.
Bingo supporters shouted, "Save our jobs now, save our jobs now."
That was the rally cry at what organizers called a "workers' rally" for laid off bingo employees. Several hundred workers and supporters showed up for the rally with Rainbow Push Coalition President Rev. Jesse Jackson in front of Fairfield city hall.
Layed off bingo worker, Brownie Duncan said, "I need my job back, I want my job back."
Bingo Supporter, Rebecca Duncan said, "If people don't want to play bingo don't go play it. But it's gonna bring money to our state. It will help our state."
Even government officials in support of bingo have high hopes by Jackson's appearance in Alabama this weekend.
Fairfield Mayor Kenneth Coachman said, "We recognize that the senate has voted but we feel that this rally was necessary and we're just delighted to have him here in the city of Fairfield."
Rainbow Push Coalition President, Rev. Jesse Jackson said, "I don't play slot machines. That's not what I do but I respect other peoples constitutional right to do it."
But the rally wasn't all friendly...
Minister shouts with Bingo Supporters "He will judge... I don't care if you're a preacher."
There were those protesting bingo.
Hill City Ministries Frank Nevett said, "I'm sympathetic with the people who've lost their jobs but the thing about it is, I'm not insensitive to the spirit of God. God is the one who provides for us. We're saying that we can't be taken care of unless we do it illegally."
And according to Governor Riley bingo remains illegal in the state of Alabama.
Rev Jesse Jackson will also appear at a march and rally at noon Saturday in Montgomery.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement