[Njabs-talk] Everything you need to know about our Motor City March

Tue Jun 30 21:08:30 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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