Town Trying To Block Construction Of Martha’s Vineyard Casino

BOSTON (AP) _ A casino fight is brewing on bucolic Martha's Vineyard.

The town of Aquinnah filed a request for a temporary restraining order Tuesday that would compel the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe to stop construction of a gambling hall on the famous resort island.

Tribe members opposed to gambling are also gathering signatures for a possible August referendum. Some are considering staging sit-ins to prevent further construction in the meantime.

The activity comes after the tribe said Friday it won't honor a cease and desist order the town issued July 6.

The tribe is converting an unfinished community center into a gambling facility offering bingo-style electronic games.

The town says the tribe should wait until a judge decides on its lawsuit challenging the proposal. That case goes before a federal judge Aug. 12.