[Blind-rollers] 2009 March Information Packet (Large Print).doc

[Bowman, Kristi]

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 Times—Be  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 rally—there 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. 
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