Official at Coney Island Disagrees with Casino Plan Sparks Controversy over Muslim Remarks
A Coney Island official is currently facing criticism after questioning on social media how local Muslim community members could support a proposed $3 billion casino for Brooklyn's seaside town.
Lucy Mujica Diaz serves as the chair of Brooklyn’s Community Board 13. Community boards in New York consist of unpaid members appointed by borough presidents and borough councilors. These boards act as advisers and liaisons between local governments and their residents.
Diaz is known for her opposition against a casino in Coney Island because she fears it would negatively impact the area due to increased traffic. She also believes that gambling would lead to increased crime and other societal issues.
A casino project, presented by a consortium comprising of New York real estate firm Thor Equities, the Chickasaw Nation's Global Gaming Solutions, Saratoga Casino Holdings, and Legends Hospitality, is vying for one of the three downstate casino licenses in New York. This development, named "The Coney," is aiming for a five-acre plot of land owned by Thor and situated at Surf Avenue and W. 12th Street.
Controversial Remarks
Diaz caused a stir online after she came across a photo from a recent Alfadila Community Services event where some participants were seen wearing "The Coney" t-shirts.
Marie Mirville-Shahzada, founder and executive director of Alfadila Community Services and a Muslim, is responsible for this nonprofit. The organization's mission is to "break barriers and bridge diverse communities to opportunities."
Diaz posted the photo of Alfadila event attendees wearing "The Coney" t-shirts on Facebook, wondering how someone could be Islamic yet still support a gambling venture. She even included a Wikipedia excerpt on the Quran that mentions that gambling is a "grave sin" and part of Satan's work.
Mirville-Shahzada reacted by demanding Diaz's resignation. She reached out to New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who appointed Diaz to the Community Board 13, asking for her removal.
Mirville-Shahzada stated, "I am writing to request the immediate removal and investigation of Lucy Mujica Diaz, Chair of Brooklyn Community Board 13, for her ongoing bullying, personal attacks, and last but not least, her recent anti-Muslim statements and insensitivity to parents with disabled children."
Diaz defended herself by claiming her comments were misunderstood.
"I want to make it clear: the post was in a personal capacity and did not contain any hurtful, negative, or hateful language in my words," Mujica Diaz said in a statement. "I reject the characterization... that this was 'public attack' and 'prejudiced actions'."
New York Bidding War
The Coney is among many casino projects finalizing their bids for the three New York downstate casino licenses. MGM Resorts, Genting Group, Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Hard Rock International are also expected to submit bids.
The favorites for the two licenses are MGM and Genting, as they currently operate Empire City Casino in Yonkers and Resorts World New York City in Queens. These racinos can only offer video lottery terminals and electronic table games at the moment.
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Source: www.casino.org
