Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, NY- Over 50 Queens community members, led by Queens Anti-casino (@nocasinofmcp), rallied in front of Citi Field on June 13, 2026, the first day of early voting for New York’s primary elections. State Senator Jessica Ramos and Congressional Candidate Chuck Park were in attendance.
The rally was held steps away from the proposed Metropolitan Park Casino development site and at the foot of the home stadium of the New York Mets, which is owned by billionaire and casino developer Steve Cohen. Organizers criticized elected officials Congresswoman Grace Meng and Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, who accepted donations from Cohen’s team, lobbying from casino-interest groups, endorsements from casino-aligned organizations, or voted on key legislation that allowed for the alienation of public parkland for the development of Metropolitan Park.
Several Queens politicians who have failed to represent and protect the interests of their constituents are facing primary challengers and contested elections in the next few weeks. Among them are Congresswoman Grace Meng, Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, and State Senator Steve Raga.
As early voting begins, organizers are urging voters to consider candidates’ support or opposition to the Metropolitan Park casino when casting their ballots.
Below is the full list of community organizations, elected officials and candidates who were in attendance.
Elected Officials and Candidates:
- Congressional Candidate Chuck Park
- State Senator Jessica Ramos
Community Organizations:
- Queens Anti-casino
- Queens Shut It Down 4 Palestine
- Nodutdol
“These elections are a referendum on Steve Cohen’s oligarchy in Queens,” said Jack Hu, Flushing resident and Queens Anti-casino organizer. “These elections are a choice between two sides, the working people of Queens or a billionaire robber baron. And we know which side we’re going to choose.”
“Steve Cohen is on the ballot, oligarchy is on the ballot, gambling addiction, the destruction of our community is on the ballot. You need to choose leaders who will fight against the casino, who will fight Steve Cohen, who will fight the oligarchy, and fight for Queens,” said Chuck Park, candidate for New York Congressional District 6.
“This election is the best protest vote you can make to send a clear message that our community does not want a casino anywhere in our backyard. Manhattan said no to casinos, Coney Island said no to a casino… Queens is too good for a casino too… We don’t want a casino, that even if it creates jobs, will do away with the jobs in the surrounding communities, that would hurt small businesses, that would put so many of our neighbors on the verge of eviction,” said State Senator Jessica Ramos.
“Shame on you, Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, for putting a casino in our backyard and lying,” said Danny Tsoi, Flushing resident and Queens Anti-casino organizer. “As for Congresswoman Grace Meng, she is silent on the casino, which would be the largest development project impacting the community in Flushing.”
“Steve Cohen is betting this community will stand down while his casino exploits its elders,” said Isabella, a Queens resident and Shut it Down 4 Palestine organizer. “The man who profits from drones over children in Gaza wants his next billion from the grandmothers of Flushing.”
“Cohen promises that the casino will add local jobs, create public park space, and renovate the Mets-Wilets Point train stop. But we see right through them,” said Angie, Queens resident and Nodutdol member. “We know what Metropolitan Park will actually do: gentrify Flushing and Corona, hike up rent prices, physically displace families, and intensify police presence and gambling addiction. Why is our city letting this happen to us?”
Queens residents ended the rally with chants and a remixed sing-along of iconic song “Solidarity Forever” by Pete Seeger with Rude Mechanical Orchestra, a protest marching band, playing in the background.
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