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<h1><b>The 2009 Motor City March for Independence:<br><br>
<br>
NFB in the D</b></h1> <br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Before the March</b></h2> <br><br>
<br><br>
<h3><b>· An information session
for Marchers will be held on Saturday, July 4, at 6:45 p.m. in the Greco
Room on Level 4.<br><br>
<br>
· 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.<br><br>
<br>
· 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.</b></h3> <br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>March Gathering Places and TimesBe Ready to Chant and
Cheer</b></h2> <br><br>
<br><br>
<h3><b>· Ambassadors and other
March volunteers need to report at the Wintergarden entrance on Atwater
Street by 6:00 a.m. on Monday, July 6.<br><br>
<br>
· 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.<br><br>
<br>
· 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.<br><br>
<br>
· Rally coordinators and
stagers need to report to Rivard Plaza by 6:30 a.m.<br><br>
<br>
· Marchers need to gather at
least 100 yards to the right of the Wintergarden entrance by 6:45
a.m.</b></h3> <br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>What will happen at the March</b></h2> <br>
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.<br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
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<h2><b>Route description</b></h2> <br>
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.<br>
2. Just after Bates Street (on your right),
take a left back onto the RiverWalk. <br>
3. Follow the RiverWalk until passing Hart
Plaza (on your right) and the Detroit Princess Riverboat (on your
left).<br>
4. Return back to Atwater Street, which
becomes Civic Center Drive. Follow Civic Center Drive to Joe Louis
Arena. <br>
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. <br>
6. Take the cobblestone path that leads up
to Hart Plaza.<br>
7. Go through Hart Plaza, past the
fountain, and toward East Jefferson Avenue. <br>
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. <br>
9. Turn right onto Bates Street and
continue southeast to Atwater Street.<br>
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.<br>
10. Continue east along the RiverWalk the short distance to Rivard
Plaza for the rally.<br>
11. Join the rally at Rivard Plaza!<br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>The Mini-March</b></h2> <br>
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.<br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>The Rally Program</b></h2> <br>
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 rallythere are bound to be lots of
surprises throughout the morning! <br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Transportation</b></h2><b> <br>
</b>Those with wheelchairs or special transportation needs should come to
the Imagination Fund table during registration times to make sure their
needs are met. <br>
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