[Blind-rollers] 2009 Motor City March Info Packet

[David Andrews]

The 2009 Motor City March for Independence:


NFB in the D







Before the March






·        An information session for Marchers will 
be held on Saturday, July 4, at 6:45 p.m. in the Greco Room on Level 4.


·        The ambassador briefing sessions will be 
held on Sunday, July 5, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. 
in Brulé B Room on Level 5. Those Federationists 
wanting to serve as ambassadors or wanting to 
familiarize themselves with the March and rally, 
can drop in any time during the three hour 
briefing session. The March route and tasks will be covered in detail.


·        Marchers can register for the March, 
turn in donations, and pick up their March items 
(such as t-shirts and medallions) at the 
Imagination Fund table in the Renaissance Foyer 
on Level 4 near the Convention registration table during registration times.






March Gathering Places and Times­Be  Ready to Chant and Cheer






·        Ambassadors and other March volunteers 
need to report at the Wintergarden entrance on 
Atwater Street by 6:00 a.m. on Monday, July 6.


·        Appointed sign and banner carriers need 
to gather 100 yards to the left of the 
Wintergarden entrance by 6:30 a.m. to pick up their banners/signs.


·        Torchbearers need to gather toward the 
front of the procession, at least 100 yards to 
the right of the Wintergarden entrance at 6:30 a.m.


·        Rally coordinators and stagers need to 
report to Rivard Plaza by 6:30 a.m.


·        Marchers need to gather at least 100 
yards to the right of the Wintergarden entrance by 6:45 a.m.






What will happen at the March


At 6:45 a.m. the March for Independence will 
begin with opening remarks by Dr. Maurer.  The 
Torch of Freedom will be lit and the March will 
begin by 7:00 a.m.!  Around 7:30 a.m., as we are 
heading back toward the Renaissance Center, the 
“mini-Marchers” will join the procession and 
we'll all march together toward the rally site at 
Rivard Plaza.  By 8:00 a.m. we will reach Rivard 
Plaza and the rally will begin.






Route description


1.      Gather at the Wintergarden entrance on 
Atwater Street.  Walk west on the south side of 
Atwater Street toward Renaissance Drive West.  Be 
aware of potential traffic on the north side of the street.
2.      Just after Bates Street (on your right), 
take a left back onto the RiverWalk.
3.      Follow the RiverWalk until passing Hart 
Plaza (on your right) and the Detroit Princess Riverboat (on your left).
4.      Return back to Atwater Street, which 
becomes Civic Center Drive.  Follow Civic Center Drive to Joe Louis Arena.
5.      At the intersection of 3rd Street and 
Civic Center Drive (with Joe Louis Arena on the 
right) make a left back onto the RiverWalk, and 
follow it back toward Hart Plaza.
6.      Take the cobblestone path that leads up to Hart Plaza.
7.      Go through Hart Plaza, past the fountain, 
and toward East Jefferson Avenue.
8.      Just before East Jefferson Avenue, follow 
the large concrete path to the right that crosses 
a dead-end street (to the Ford Auditorium on the 
right) and leads to Bates Street.
9.      Turn right onto Bates Street and continue southeast to Atwater Street.
Make a left back onto Atwater Street and follow 
it east, back toward the Renaissance Center.  We 
will then take the ramp to the RiverWalk.
10.  Continue east along the RiverWalk the short 
distance to Rivard Plaza for the rally.
11.  Join the rally at Rivard Plaza!





The Mini-March


For those who cannot walk the full 4 kilometer 
route (1 kilometer less than last year), there is 
a shorter route of approximately four 
blocks.  This mini-March will join the main 
procession as it passes back by the Renaissance 
Center on the way to the rally site.  To join the 
mini-March, please gather at 7:15 a.m. at the 
Wintergarden exit of the Renaissance Center.  We 
will take the ramp down to the RiverWalk.  If you 
choose to use the steps instead of the ramp to 
the RiverWalk, please note these steps are 
especially deep.  There will be ambassadors on 
hand to make sure mini-Marchers connect with the 
main procession at the right time.





The Rally Program


The rally will begin at approximately 8:00 a.m. 
at Rivard Plaza.  Water will be available at the 
rally site for all participants.  The rally 
program will include speeches by Dr. Maurer, 
Senator Carl Levin of Michigan, and Dave McCurdy 
of the Alliance of Automobile 
Manufacturers.  Three outstanding Imagination 
Fund grant programs will be featured, and be 
ready to dance in the streets when Martha Reeves 
performs some of her Motown hits. At about 8:45 
a.m., Dr. Maurer and other VIPs will lead the 
procession out of the plaza back to the 
Wintergarden.  Marchers should make their way to 
the opening of General Session in the Renaissance 
Ballroom on Level 4 by 9:30 a.m.  Be sure to stay 
for the entire rally­there are bound to be lots 
of surprises throughout the morning!





Transportation


Those with wheelchairs or special transportation 
needs should come to the Imagination Fund table 
during registration times to make sure their needs are met.