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People rallied against a casino planned for the land surrounding Citi Field in Queens Monday evening.
“I think there is a lot of research that shows that casinos are very harmful for our communities. It fuels gambling, addiction,” Joseph Jung, an organizer from Flushing Anti-Displacement Alliance, said. 
Earlier this month, Mets owner Steve Cohen introduced an $8 billion plan to turn the adjacent parking lot land into a casino and entertainment center called “Metropolitan Park.”
The project is expected to create 15,000 jobs and 25 acres of public park space.
His bid is one of nearly a dozen for one of the three coveted licenses from the state’s gaming commission that could go to the five boroughs, Long Island and Westchester.
The protest was held outside the Elmcor Louis Armstrong Recreation Center, where state Sen. Jessica Ramos conducted a town hall on the project.
Ramos blocked legislation months ago that would allow Cohen to build the entertainment complex. She would need to introduce legislation to allow the land around Citi Field to become commercial property. 
“There is still a lot of discussion to happen. I want my community to understand the consequences of building such a thing or conversely, the opportunities that might be available,” Ramos said.
At the town hall, people were able to choose to go on one of two sides of the auditorium.
One side was the group of people who would want the casino project. 
“I feel the proposal is a win-win situation because he’s not just proposing a casino, he’s proposing a dining hall, concert area handicap access to the Willets Point train, which everyone needs bringing in those things I think brings in income,” Tresia Smith said.
People against Cohen’s proposal were also at the meeting on the other side of the room.
“You know what this community needs. It needs more schools, nonprofits to help people. It needs soup pantries. We don’t need a casino,” Charlton D’Souza said.
NY1 got this statement from Cohen’s Metropolitan Park group, which reads in part: “Senator Ramos has been very clear that the community and its residents must come first and we agree.”
“We believe Metropolitan Park is exactly the kind of revolutionary proposal that Senator Ramos and other community leaders can support,” the statement continued.
Ramos said she needs to decide if she will approve the legislation needed to move forward with Cohen’s plan in January. She plans on hosting another town hall.
There is no timeline on when state casino licenses will be awarded to chosen bidders.

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