Church Casino Protest

Churches across Kentucky take their fight against casino gambling to Frankfort. They showed up just before eleven Wednesday morning hoping to persuade legislators to vote "NO" for the proposed constitutional amendment. They showed up at the capitol to state their case. Casino Gambling, No Deal was the slogan for church members gathering across the state. Among them more than 40 members of Greater Vision of Owensboro making the trip. "For the preachers here that are saying that they are not for the gambling and that this isnt right and if nothing else that the people should be given a vote towards this." And Kelly Vanderkooi believes that that message got across. "Everyone in the state is not for it and if nothing else just step back and take a look at it." Stand organizer Pastor Jeff Fugate hopes that the speakers message impacts the legislators and the sheer number of people showing up to protest. "I believe the legislators will recognize the number of people that left their jobs, schools, to come here today to say to them to vote no we are against casino gambling." Because like him, Pastor Fugate says the crowd of nearly 500 are in agreement that gambling in the state is morally and economically wrong. And hes holding out hope that the votes needed to pass the amendment proposed by Governor Steve Beshear are not there. "According to the newspapers this morning they only have 37. They have a lot of undecided and we hope that the undecided will go ahead and vote no today or when its brought to a vote." The legislation was moved to the house floor, but the 60 votes needed to pass still have not been secured. The proposed constitutional amendment could be moved from the rules committee tomorrow.