Various religious leaders from multiple faiths have organized to protest the proposed Suffolk Downs Casino, and they aren’t the only ones.

The Boston Globe reports the Friends of East Boston, a group of clergy and business owners,  announced plans to campaign against the casino during a basement press conference at the Central Assembly of God Church in East Boston.

The group, lead by a Harvard Divinity School student, is a not-for-profit organization.

Pedro Morales, the group’s leader, told the Globe “Every single Sunday, in every single church, from every single pastor, the people will hear that message,” acknowledging that a casino can’t be defeated using money.

Morales’ group wants to get 5,000 East Bostonian-signatures on a petition that asks Suffolk Downs to voluntarily withdraw its casino proposal, the Globe reports.

Morales’ Friends of East Boston won’t be the only anti-casino group ramping up efforts with the Nov. 5 election right around the corner.

Celeste Myers, a 25-year veteran in the hospitality industry and co-chair of the No Eastie Casino group was interviewed on-air during WBUR’s Morning Addition. During the interview, she stressed devastating affects the proposed casino could cause.

Myers told WBUR that language in the host-agreement between East Boston and Revere is very unclear when it comes to employment and does not guarantee jobs for local residents. She also touched on the possibility that an expected increase in car-traffic could be “overwhelming.”

Myers estimated that 60 percent of East Boston residents are against the proposed casino, but she’ll “take 51 percent” come Nov. 5.

Later, Suffolk Downs COO Chip Tuttle addressed Myers’ concerns on the Morning Edition, claiming that there is a specific plan in place, focusing on East Boston and Revere residents employment at the proposed casino. Tuttle reminded listeners that the median income in East Boston is $16,000, and Suffolk Downs employs more East Boston and Revere residents than it does residents from any other community.

In response to Myers’ negatives claims regarding increased traffic-flow, Tuttle said that a $45 million plan is in place to make significant road improvements, specifically to areas of Route One.

East Boston residents will vote on the $1 billion proposed casino Nov. 5, WBUR reports.

City Councilors approved an East Boston-only vote last week.

Featured Image from WBUR