[Nfbv-announce] FW: Over One Thousand Blind Americans to March in Detroit

[Fredric Schroeder]

  _____  

From: Freeh, Jessica [mailto:JFreeh at nfb.org] 
Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 10:45 AM
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Subject: Over One Thousand Blind Americans to March in Detroit


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

Cell:  (410) 262-1281
E-mail:  <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org> cdanielsen at nfb.org


Over One Thousand Blind Americans to March in Detroit


 

Mayor Dave Bing and Martha Reeves to Participate in March

 

Detroit, Michigan (June 30, 2009): The National Federation of the Blind
(NFB), the oldest and largest organization of the blind in the United
States, will hold its third March for Independence on July 6 in Detroit,
Michigan.  The Motor City March for Independence is a 5K walk held as part
of the National Federation of the Blind convention, which will take place in
Detroit this year.  Over one thousand blind Americans, their friends and
families, and other supporters will march to raise money to benefit blind
people all over the United States and to raise awareness about the
capabilities of the blind.  The march will start at the Detroit Marriott at
the Renaissance Center, continue along the beautiful Detroit RiverWalk, and
culminate in an inspiring rally at Rivard Plaza and Pavilion. 

 

Highlights of the march will include addresses by NFB President Dr. Marc
Maurer and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing.  Congressman John Dingell is serving as
an honorary co-chair of the event.  Motown singer and current Detroit
Councilwoman Martha Reeves, also serving as an honorary co-chair of the
event, will perform live as part of the rally.  The Honorable Dave McCurdy,
president of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, will also address the
rally.  Following the march and rally, the participants will return to the
Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, where President Maurer will
sound his gavel to bring the convention to order for its opening session.

 

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"We are thrilled to have our convention in the Motor City and pleased to
have so many of Detroit's most outstanding leaders marching alongside us on
July 6.  The March for Independence is our way of demonstrating to the
public that we are equal participants in society and that we are determined
to make for ourselves a future full of opportunity. " 

 

The March for Independence is sponsored by Pepsi, Deque Systems, Inc., Vode
Lighting LLC, American Printing House for the Blind, and the Detroit
Convention and Visitors Bureau.

 

For more information about the March for Independence, including how to
participate and how to sponsor a marcher, visit www.marchforindependence.org
<http://www.marchforindependence.org/> .  To learn more about the National
Federation of the Blind, please visit www.nfb.org <http://www.nfb.org/> .

 

 

 

 

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About the National Federation of the Blind

 

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the
largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the
United States.   The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy,
education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and
self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field today and
the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and
training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.