Plainridge: Gagging the Opposition

In an effort to prevent the Plainridge folks from suffering boredom [since they crawl all over this blog numerous times each day, not having discovered google alerts or anxious to slap a lawsuit on this blog as well], there is additional information below regarding the attempt to silence the Slot Barn Opposition in Plainville.

Plainridge, it would seem, has an elevated opinion of its business that is not universal. Surely, they are entitled to their opinion, but not when it contradicts facts and statistics.

Is Plainridge afraid of the TRUTH?

Horse racing is a DEAD Industry, declining in attendance and purses around the nation.

Without the salvation of Slot Machines [taxpayer subsidies], horse racing would die.

Experts speaking at the Massachusetts Gambling Commission Edumacational Forum were forced to acknowledge that there is NO indication that Slot Machines increase racing attendance. To the contrary, Aqueduct and other race tracks have proven that the drugging and deaths of horses increased.

The previous Massachusetts Racing Commission web site was so lacking in disclosure, discerning the cause or location of 53 horses' deaths of Massachusetts horses was impossible.

Animal Cruelty
Horse Deaths
Horse Racing

From: No Plainville Racino --

Plainridge sues No Plainville Racino supporters

 

ACLU says lawsuit against Plainville racetrack gambling critic should be thrown out

Lawsuit tries to silence petitioning activity protected by the First Amendment

 

 

One of the founders of No Plainville Racino was recently sued by Plainridge Racecourse for allegedly defaming them through his opposition to the addition of slot machines to the racetrack's facilities. The ACLU of Massachusetts has risen to his defense, calling the action an unjustified "SLAPP suit"--i.e., a strategic lawsuit against public participation--that should immediately be dismissed.

"Residents of Plainville need to know that they have a lot of protection for their participation in important debates, for example, whether casinos and gambling have harmful effects on their community and neighborhoods," said ACLU cooperating attorney Jeffrey Pyle. "They should not be scared off by lawsuits like this, which have no merit and often are aimed at making people too afraid to get involved in local issues."

Read the full ACLU Press Release

In the spirit of transparency, below is what was filed with the Norfolk Superior Court:

• Plainridge's Lawsuit
• Keen's Response to the Lawsuit
• Plainridge's Response to Keen's Response
• Keen's Response to Plainridge's Response

No Plainville Racino would like to sincerely thank the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and their cooperating attorneys for representing us in this matter. Whether you are pro- or anti-racino, ensuring open and free public debate is important as this decision may affect the character of Plainville forever.