Broadway Theaters and Community Rally Against Proposed Times Square Casino

The Broadway community, alongside residents and local non-profit organizations, is taking a stand against the proposed Times Square casino by developer SL Green. A rally is scheduled for Wednesday, August 13, at 9am, preceding the first public hearing by the Community Advisory Committee (CAC). The opposition highlights concerns over the casino's potential negative impact on Broadway's economic activity, the exploitation of vulnerable New Yorkers, and the introduction of new quality of life issues for residents.

In a show of solidarity, marquees at 16 Broadway theaters, including the Majestic, the Palace, the Samuel J Friedman, and the St. James, will display the message "No Times Square Casino" during two time slots on Wednesday. This visual protest aims to draw public attention to the cause and encourage community members to voice their concerns to elected officials by visiting NoTimesSquareCasino.com.

The opposition to the casino is widespread, with a recent Tulchin Research poll indicating that 71 percent of Midtown residents are against the proposal. The coalition against the casino has grown to include 35 organizations, representing a broad spectrum of the community. Notable members include IATSE, the largest union on Broadway, the United Federation of Teachers, and social service providers like the Ali Forney Center and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Resident groups such as the Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood Association and Westside Neighborhood Alliance also stand in opposition.

The rally and marquee action underscore the community's united front against the casino proposal, which many argue is out of step with Times Square's resurgence and Broadway's record-breaking season. The first public hearing presents a critical opportunity for the majority opposed to the casino to make their voices heard by the decision-makers shaping the project's future.