New York, NY – With Broadway breaking records and crime down in Times Square, unions in the theater industry oppose a casino in Times Square Manhattan NYC.
New Yorker’s from across the theater community, neighbors and local non-profit organizations rallied in Times Square last Wednesday June 25th to oppose plans for developer SL Green’s casino. The rally comes as real estate developer SL Green filed its official application for a casino in Times Square this week. The event was led byIATSE, The Broadway League, Project FIND, and members of the No Times Square Casino Coalition.
The Times Square casino proposal has generated opposition, with 71 percent of Midtown resident opposed in a recent Tulchin Research poll. The grassroots coalition of opponents to the casino has grown to 30 organizations, including IATSE—the largest union on Broadway representing 7 locals and 168,000 workers across North America and the United Federation of Teachers. Also included in organizations opposed to a Manhattan casino: Broadway Cares, Westside Neighborhood Alliane, and Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood Coalition.
The list of No Times Square Casino Coalition members include:
IATSE Local One stagehands
IATSE Local 306 ushers
IATSE Local 751 treasurers and ticket sellers
IATSE Local 764 wardrobe workers
IATSE Local 798 hair/makeup workers
ATPAM theater company managers and press agents
United Scenic Artists 829 scenic artists
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
Council of Chelsea Block Associations
Encore Community Services
The Ali Forney Center
The Broadway League
