Protesters: Let us decide on bingo

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WALA) - They march for bingo. They rally for jobs. And they scream for civil rights. They are laid-off casino workers and bingo supporters, including Reverend Jesse Jackson.

"This weekend we celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Voting Rights March of 1965, and we struggle now for that vote to count," said Jackson. "If we can bail out the banks, why can't we bail out the poor?"

At a pro-bingo rally in Montgomery, Jackson and supporters said voters should decide whether or not bingo is allowed in Alabama, not Governor Bob Riley.

"If people use their vote to attract industry, that's what the vote will do. If you deny that right, you deny the vote itself, which is a throwback in time," Jackson said.

Kim Davidson, lawyer for Bessemer City Council, said the closing of bingo halls in the Bessemer Cutoff, has essentially cut 2,000 local jobs.

"We already have the constitutional right to (have electronic bingo) and (Gov. Riley) didn't have the right to take that from us. I don't care if he calls it a task force or whatever, it's just not his right," said Davidson.

Around 150-200 people marched the streets of downtown Montgomery from Court Square to the Capitol Building. Last night, Jackson visited Victoryland Casino in support of bingo and said many people are facing poverty issues.

"People having home foreclosure. They can't pay the rent, can't buy gas, can't keep the children in school, can't pay their insurance. People have been put in hardship positions," said the Reverend.

People like Lynetta Holly, who lost her job when the White Hall Gaming Center was shut down February 1.

"We just want to work," said Holly. "We don't want handouts from the government. We just want to work without the illegal raids. That's why I came marching, to go to work and pay my bills."

Marchers sang "We Shall Overcome" as they walked along Dexter Street, but only time will tell if bingo will.