No Casino Gettysburg: The Grassroots Battle for Gettysburg

The last time No Casino Gettysburg, a nonprofit grassroots movement, was featured in NPAction we highlighted their use of candlelight vigils to openly express their opposition to the placement of a casino one mile from the Gettysburg civil war battle site. After a 20 month long battle, ending in December 2006, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) rejected plans for the Gettysburg Casino. The PGCB cited "overwhelming opposition" as one of the reasons for their decision.

The 20 month long No Casino Gettysburg battle achieved victory by using a variety of advocacy events and tools. These included candlelight vigils, bike rides, public meetings, seminars, a silent auction fundraiser and the widespread circulation of No Casino Gettysburg t-shirts, tote bags, bumper stickers, sweatshirts and buttons. They also featured Civil War icons Lincoln, Lee, and Grant at a press conference and attended every PGCB meeting wearing their signature No Casino Gettysburg t-shirts. After spending hundreds of hours on the street corners of Gettysburg to ensure their voice was heard, victory was announced for members of No Casino Gettysburg on December 20, 2006. Click here to read more.