[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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