On the afternoon of December 14th, hundreds of residents opposed to the construction of a casino gathered at Corona Plaza in Queens and then marched to the Park of the Americas to hold a protest rally. They demanded that Governor Kathy Hochul halt the State Gaming Commission from issuing a casino operating license for the “Metropolitan Park” project. The organizers urged the rejection of the relevant permits in the vote scheduled for the afternoon of December 15th to prevent the further advancement of the casino plan.
The morning of the protest saw New York just experiencing a heavy snowfall, with a chilling wind at the rally site. Despite the weather conditions, participants held up signs in Chinese, Spanish, and English denouncing the casino, chanting slogans such as “Flushing Rejects the Casino” and “Flushing Rejects Being Sold Out.” Several community groups, religious figures, and elected officials showed their support at the event. The organizers stated that the multi-ethnic mobilization aimed to express the stance of the “real community” against using a casino as a means of development.
Representing the Flushing Workers’ Center, Sarah Ahn pointed out that Governor Hochul currently holds crucial influence, being the only person with the power to make the final decision. She questioned why the state government is not promoting construction projects that truly benefit residents but instead chooses to deepen community stress through a casino. She believes that targeting the working-class and immigrant-populated neighborhoods of Queens for the casino site selection reveals discriminatory decision-making.
Several young Chinese Americans also expressed concerns at the event. Interviewed, Jiaxing Hou stated that he has been involved in opposing the casino since March this year, citing experiences from other cities where promises of “jobs and prosperity” after a casino’s establishment often fail to materialize, exacerbating social issues instead. He described the case as “extremely exploitative.” Jianjie Hu pointed out that the site selection committee for gambling facilities has been advancing the process and is set to face a crucial vote this Monday, warning of potential multiple harms from the casino to Flushing, Corona, and surrounding communities.
State Senator Jessica Ramos, whom the rally participants thanked, was acknowledged by the organizers for her long-standing solidarity with the people in opposing the casino. She emphasized that if the casino is built, it will impact the livelihoods of the next generation and could lead to increased crime and broken families.
Ramos expressed feeling “heartbroken and saddened” by the current situation. She thanked the residents who braved the cold weather to show their support, especially the elderly and children. She called on residents to immediately write letters, make phone calls to the Gaming Commission, and mobilize friends and family to speak out, emphasizing that every voice is crucially important.