Logistical Information on September 28th Mass Rally

WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR SEPTEMBER 28TH?

The plan: Assemble 12noon at Dolores Park in San Francisco, at 18th and Dolores Streets near 16th St. BART station. Rally then march to Civic Center Plaza for a closing rally with speakers, entertainment and cultural performances.

In this email:

HOW DO I GET TO THE SAN FRANCISCO PROTEST?

* Buses, vans and car caravans going to SF
* Driving directions
* Public transportation in SF

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO KNOW WHILE YOU'RE IN SF

* Bus/van/car drop-off, pickup & parking
* Housing/Hotels
* Medical
* Legal
* Media
* Weather
* What you should bring
* Food
* Bathrooms
* Tabling Policy


HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

* Volunteers
* Arts/Banners/Signs/Performance
* Literature/Flyers/Leaflets
* Work Sessions
* What is the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition?
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BUSES, VANS AND CAR CARAVANS GOING TO SAN FRANCISCO:

If you are traveling to San Francisco from another city or town, please check to see if there is a September 28th contact in your area by visiting our list of organizing centers at http://www.actionsfbay.org/ansorgctrs.htm

Transportation is being organized from many cities and towns along the Coast and throughout the West. If you're organizing people from your area and you're not listed, fill out the online form at www.internationalanswer.org or email us at answer@actionsfbay.org  so we can help get the word out.

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DRIVING DIRECTIONS

To map these directions visit http://www.mapquest.com/directions/ enter your starting point and 18th and Dolores St. San Francisco, CA as your destination.

>From Bay Bridge: Take 80 West to Mission St. exit. Vear left on Duboce St. Turn left on Dolores St. Go five blocks to 18th St.

To go directly to Civic Center to park and take BART: Take the 9th St. exit of 80 West and proceed on Harrison one block, then turn right onto Ninth St. Proceed across Market, bearing right onto Larkin. Continue one block to Grove. Civic Center Plaza is on the left.

>From Peninsula: Take U.S. 101 North to the Ceaser Chavez exit. Follow the signs to Chavez St. West. Turn right (north) on Guerrero St. Take Guerrero St. to 18th turn left one block to Dolores St.

>From Golden Gate Bridge: Follow U.S. 101 south as it merges onto Lombard St. Turn right at Van Ness. Take Van Ness across Market St. It will turn into South Van Ness Ave. Turn left on 18th St. Proceed five blocks to Dolores St.

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PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN SAN FRANCISCO

The closest BART/MUNI Metro station to 16th Street Station stop. Exit the station and proceed west on 16th to Dolores St., two blocks south on Dolores St. to 18th St.

The opening rally will be at Dolores Park.

For a San Francisco MUNI map, click below:

http://www.sfmuni.com/absite/sitemapa.htm#maps
(choose the type of map you desire)

For a BART map, click below:

http://www.bart.gov/stations/map/systemMap.asp

For directions from your starting location, click below to use the trip planner feature. Just enter your starting location and Civic Center Plaza (Grove & Larkin), as your ending location, and you will receive detailed public transit directions.

http://www.transitinfo.org/cgi-bin/taketransit

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BUS/VAN/CAR DROP-OFF, PICK-UP & PARKING:

BUS/VAN/CAR DROP-OFF

The rally gathering site is Dolores Park. Buses and vans can drop passengers off at this location. Buses should park along McAllister St. or Larkin St. adjacent to Civic Center Plaza.

BUS PICKUP

After an opening rally at Dolores Park, we will march to Civic Center Plaza. Bus pick up will be back at Civic Center along McAllister and Larkin, adjacent to Civic Center Plaza.

BUS PARKING

Bus parking is available along McAllister and Larkin, adjacent to Civic Center Plaza.

VAN/CAR PARKING INFORMATION

There is a parking garage near Dolores Park on 21st. St. between Mission and Valencia St. This garage may fill up early.

Vans and car caravans can also drop off at Dolores Park then go to Civic Center Plaza and then park in a lot or on the street in the area. Drivers can catch BART at Civic Center Plaza to return to 16th St. BART station. Please note that public transportation is the preferred method to the rally, as parking is very limited in the area.

There is a municipal garage below Civic Center Plaza with 843 spaces for $1.50/hr. The garage will be open 8 am to midnight.

There are several private parking garages and lots in the Civic Center area.

Click the link below for municipal parking garage information.

http://www.sfgov.org/site/dpt_index.asp?id=13451#garages

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HOUSING/HOTELS IN SAN FRANCISCO

Below are listed some accommodations in the San Francisco Civic Center area. There are many accommodations throughout the city, and more info can be found at sfvisitor.org. Below is a sampling of accommodations and rates. Unless otherwise noted, prices are per room for 2 persons, 1 bed.

HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL S.F. CITY CENTER
685 ELLIS ST. AT LARKIN 415-474-5721
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
415-474-5721
www.norcalhostels.org
sfcitycenter@norcalhostels.org
$22-$25 dormitory (4-5 per room with bath)
$66-69 private room (1-2 per room)

BEST WESTERN AMERICANIA
121 SEVENTH STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
415-626-0200
$111.75/night

BEST WESTERN CIVIC CENTER MOTOR INN
364 NINTH STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
415-621-2826
$125/night        

BEST WESTERN FLAMINGO INN
114 SEVENTH STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
415-621-0701
$103.50/night

DAYS INN - DOWNTOWN
465 GROVE STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
415-864-4040
$75/night        

ECONO LODGE
825 POLK STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
415-673-0411        
$90/night

EMBASSY MOTOR HOTEL
610 POLK STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA

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MEDICAL:

Healthcare workers will be on hand to assist with basic medical needs. Please remember to bring water, snacks, weather protection and comfortable walking shoes as you will be on your feet and outside for many hours.

If you are a health care worker or have first aid experience and would like to volunteer to help on October 26, call us at 415-821-6545 or email m15medic@actionsfbay.org.

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LEGAL:

If you are a law student or other person interested in helping with legal observing, please email for more info on how you can plug in.

To contact the legal group, email s28legal@actionsfbay.org

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MEDIA:

The Media Coordinator for San Francisco is Bill Hackwell. He can be reached at (415) 821-6545.

To contact the media logistics group, email media@actionsfbay.org

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WEATHER:

San Francisco weather is typically cool mornings with warm afternoons, then gusty cool winds late in the evening.

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WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING

Bring snacks and water, and wear comfortable shoes since you'll be standing and walking for several hours. Changeable weather is possible, so bring appropriate gear to protect either from the sun, wind, cold, or other elements. If you've been to an A.N.S.W.E.R. protest before and have an "Act Now to Stop War & End Racism," t-shirt or sign, wear it or bring it to the protest!

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FOOD

There are a number of small restaurants and coffee shops in the area of Dolores Park. There will be food vendors at Civic Center Plaza.

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BATHROOMS

Portable toilets will be readily available. Some of them will be wheelchair accessible.

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TABLING POLICY

There is a designated area for groups to set up tables at the Civic Center rally, and there will be a $50 fee for nonprofits to help offset the enormous organizing costs and $250 for commercial sales. Tables will not be set up at Dolores Park. Table space in the designated area is available for 6-foot tables on a first come, first served basis. The fee must be paid at the time when you set up your table and you must bring your own table.

Maps indicating the designated tabling area will be available at the Civic Center rally site on Semptember 28.

There will be volunteers on hand to explain the designated tabling area and to collect the fee. Please bring cash, check or money order (made to "A.N.S.W.E.R.") with you when you set up.

Groups may only set up tables. All groups must bring their own tables.

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VOLUNTEERS:

To make this event a success, hundreds of volunteers are needed to help out in many areas! If you would like to volunteer, email S28vol@actionsfbay.org . Help is needed for handing out literature and placards, getting out buttons, water and more. There are volunteer orientations scheduled for Friday Sept. 26th at 7 pm and Saturday Sept. 27th at 12noon at the ANSWER offices. 2489 Mission Rm. #24 in SF. On the day of the demo sign in under the huge VOLUNTEER banners at Dolores Park or Civic Center Plaza to find out how you can help that day.

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ARTS/BANNERS/SIGNS/PERFORMANCE:

Many volunteers and helpers will be needed in this area, so please call 415-821-6545 or email to find out how you can help!

To contact the arts/banners/signs/performance logistics group, email s28vol@actionsfbay.org .

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LITERATURE/FLYERS/LEAFLETS

http://www.actionsfbay.org/images/pdf-files/s28fullpage.pdf

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WORK SESSIONS:

The A.N.S.W.E.R. logistics team will hold two more work sessions to complete work in all of the above areas in preparation for September 28. Work sessions will take place in San Francisco. ANSWER meetings take place every Tuesday evening at 7 pm at 2489 Mission St. Rm. #24. WORK SESSIONS will take place Friday Sept. 26 from 10am ? 5pm and Saturday from 3pm ? 5 pm at the ANSWER office 2489 Mission St. Rm. #24 (near 21st St.) in San Francisco. To volunteer or find out how you can participate and help out, call (415) 821-6545, or email s28vol@actionsfbay.org.

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WHAT IS THE A.N.S.W.E.R. COALITION?

International A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism) is a broad coalition of peace groups, religious organizations, student groups, anti-globalization, and anti-racism groups.

ANSWER was formed to oppose war, support global justice and self-determination, stop racist attacks on Arabs, Muslims, South Asians and all people of color, and defend civil rights and civil liberties.

For more information, visit www.internationalanswer.org