[Nfbmo] March for Independence information.
Fred
goodfolks at charter.net
Wed Jul 1 10:55:35 UTC 2009
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 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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