| Updated: 1/13/2012 5:21 pm |
Published: 1/12/2012 10:12 pm
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The opposition to the Red Clay Casino can be seen all over Broken Arrow. Nearly 800 people turned up to a meeting at Assembly Church in Broken Arrow Wednesday night to voice opposition to the project, many taking turns at the microphone.
"It's important for the public voice to be heard," said Chris Buskirk, pastor at Abiding Harvest Church, 600 feet from where the casino site is located. He believes more can be done to stop construction of the casino. The Kialegee Tribal Town struck an agreement with the landowners to construct the casino, though Rep. John Sullivan and Broken Arrow residents who oppose the casino question the legality of that agreement.
"We think Congressional action could block this," said Buskirk.
"It is critical that we stop it in Broken Arrow. Because it will set a precedent for these allotted lands to be used in this capacity," said Rep. John Sullivan (R-OK).
Rep. Sullivan says he will meet with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the National Indian Gaming Commission next week. He wants to know if the Kialegees have the right to build a casino on the land, and if they're eligible for a gaming license.
"We're going to do all we can to try and derail this," he said.
4,000 people opposing the casino signed a petition.
We will continue to update you as this story develops.
