A.C.T. To End Racism TRANSPORTATION PLAN

Transcription

1 A.C.T. To End Racism TRANSPORTATION PLAN

2 TRAVEL TO STAGING AREAS (We are asking all cars, buses and passenger vans, to arrive to the Washington, DC Metro area after the hours of 12:00 am) Metro hours are as follows: Tuesday, April 3 rd Thursday, April the 5 th 5:00am 11:30pm. Parking your automobiles at Metro is $5.20 per day. SPECIAL TRAVEL UPDATES 1. Buses will be allowed to drop off and pick up on Independence Avenue between 7th 14 th Street, SW. It is imperative that you get the bus number and/or your Bus Captains information. This will make your departure a much easier process. 2. At the present time, buses that have already made arrangements to be staged at the RFK Stadium Armory Complex th Street, NE, Washington, DC Inform your carriers that they can remain there. The remaining buses are to be staged at one of the following churches. There will be staff in place to assist with the parking of the buses. These churches are within two blocks of one another. This will be on a first come first serve method. Georgia Avenue Baptist Church Silver Spring Assembly Church Glenmont United Methodist Church Georgia Avenue Georgia Avenue Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, MD Silver Spring, MD Silver Spring, MD The drop off location for our ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) march participants will be on 12 th & Jefferson Street, SW. BE ADVISED THAT THERE IS A $65 PARKING FEE FOR UTILIZING RFK STADIUMS PARKING LOT. Go to to secure your parking space. We are asking for a $25 donation for the staging of buses on the various church lots. INSURANCE ALERT! INSURANCE ALERT! INSURANCE ALERT! To Churches, Organizations, etc. who have contracted buses, it is implied in your contract that your bus vendor has commercial liability insurance in sufficient and adequate quantities. This is especially important for interstate transportation. Please ensure that your Bus Vendor has adequate and sufficient commercial automobile insurance for the safety of all concerned. If you are in need of further assistance, please contact Ernest Brooks. He can be reached at the following: ernestwbrooks@gmail.com, actnowtranspo@gmail.com, or

3 STAGING OF AUTOMOBILES, PASSENGER VANS Northeast Region: New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Eastern Pennsylvania (Automobiles): When within a 50 mile radius to Washington, DC, take I95S to I495S (Richmond). Stay on 495 until you reach exit 17A (Landover Road) and proceed to the Morgan Boulevard Station (Blue Line) for unloading. Baltimore City & Delaware (Automobiles): Take I95 or I295 South to I495S (Richmond). Stay on I495 until you reach exit 17A (Landover Rd.) proceed to Landover Metro Station (Orange Line). State of Maryland Private cars staging area will be New Carrolton Metro (Orange Line). Mid-Atlantic Region: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina (Automobiles): Take I95 North to I495N (Baltimore/Silver Spring). Stay on I495 until you reach Exit 24 and proceed to Greenbelt Station (Green Line). Southern Region: (East) Georgia, Florida (Automobiles): Atlanta, Western Georgia will be taking I85N until it merges with I95N. Eastern Georgia and Florida will be taking I95N to I495NE (Baltimore). Stay on I495 until you reach exit 7B (Branch Avenue) and proceed to Branch Avenue Metro Station (Green Line). Southern Region: (West) Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee (Automobiles): (Dallas/Ft. Worth area) You would take I20E to I69N outside of Birmingham proceed to I81N outside of Knoxville, TN. Continue until you reach I66E towards Washington, DC. Stay on I66 until you reach I495N (Baltimore) and continue until you reach exit 57A (I95S) towards Springfield. Stay on I95S until you reach the Franconia-Springfield Parkway exit and proceed to Springfield/Franconia Metro (Blue/Yellow Line). Central Region: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin (Automobiles): If entering the DC Metro via I295S/I95S, you will enter I495S (Northern Virginia) and proceed to exit 31 towards Frederick and proceed to Shady Grove Metro Station (Red Line).

4 UTILIZATION OF THE METRORAIL SYSTEM In earlier years, use of the Metrorail system was critical for helping to keep the main arteries in and out of the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) clear for a crowd of this size and magnitude. SmartTrip cards will be able to cover the round-trip cost for the march participants being that the march is being held during off-peak hours. The cost for each card is only $ We are encouraging March participants that are utilizing their own transportation to utilize the Metrorail System! You can purchase your SmarTrip cards (bulk purchases are available online) in advance by utilizing the following link: A SmarTrip card is a permanent, rechargeable card used to pay Metrorail and local bus system fares. It's plastic, like a credit card, and is embedded with a special computer chip that keeps track of the value of the card. Using a SmarTrip card is fast and easy. Simply touch the SmarTrip card to the circular targets on top of or inside station fare gates. Likewise, you can tap the SmarTrip farebox on Metrobus to pay your fare with SmarTrip.

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6 BUS CAPTAINS Every bus must have a captain. Here are the duties of a captain: 1. He/She must have an accurate list of the passengers under his charge including their names, phone numbers, and addresses. He must check this list at every discharge and boarding point. 2. He/She must be sure that each member of his group knows when the bus (train or plane) leaves. 3. In route to Washington, he/she must read to his passengers the March schedule and regulations presented in this manual. 4. He/She must make sure that there are first aid supplies on his bus, and pay special attention to this manual/s instructions on food and health. 5. Before permitting passengers to leave the bus in DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia), the captain must give each passenger an index card. On this card each passenger should write the parking location and license plate number of the bus, as dictated by the captain. 6. In general, captains are responsible for the welfare and discipline of their groups- on the road and in Washington. Every captain should have this number to call in case of emergency in Washington. All participating organizations must gather their captains together in advance for briefings. Make sure that every captain has read this manual thoroughly and can explain its contents to others. If you have any questions, call or write our office. MARSHALS We have our own system of internal marshaling. Many trained men and women stand ready to assist you in maintaining order and comfort during the March. These marshals will be easily identified. An elaborate communications network will enable them to be in contact with each other and with the Washington Metropolitan police. Should problems of order or discipline arise, bus captains should call upon a marshal. There will be Marshals throughout the National Mall and the assigned Metrorail System that will assist Bus Captains and march participants with guidance and direction.

7 HOW DO I GET TO WASHINGTON? The National Office does not have capacity for chartering transportation. Each group must charter its own bus, train or plane. We are prepared (along with your Local Organization, Church, etc.), however, to assist and advise you. If you have difficulty securing satisfactory transportation, call the Transportation Department at our office, Meanwhile, here's how to proceed, BY BUS, Secure a bus through a local charter service, or travel agent. Please make certain that you register your bus with us at the following link: Read your contract carefully and keep the following points in mind: 1.Your bus must be licensed by the Interstate Commerce Commission. All buses thus licensed are required to carry insurance. 2. Charter prices should be reduced from the normally scheduled fares. Do not pay extra for parking facilities since these have already been secured by the national office. 3. Your destination is outlined in this transportation plan. As you approach your final destination, your bus will be intercepted and led to its assigned parking site. These sites have been arranged with local law enforcement, WMATA, in cooperation with our office. There is no need to ask about these sites in advance. HOW DO WE LEAVE WASHINGTON? At the conclusion of the Act Now to End Racism program, Marchers will return directly to where their buses dropped them off on Independence Avenue, and depart from the city. Those who came by train will proceed to one the following Metro Stations that service the National Mall area: Union Station (Red Line), L'Enfant Plaza (Blue, Yellow, Green and Orange Lines), Smithsonian Blue/Orange Lines), Federal Center (Blue/Orange Lines), Archives (Green/Yellow Lines), Capitol South, or Judiciary Square (Red Line). PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF MAP PROVIDED. Bus, train, and plane captains must make sure that no one in their charge has been left behind. Careful passenger counts must be made at all points of discharge and re-boarding. But every Marcher must be his own captain. Don't lose touch with your captain (make certain that you have their contact numbers). And don't forget where your bus is parked. There will also be Marshals and staff on hand to assist you with your departure. FOR THOSE DEPARTING FROM RFK STADIUM/ARMORY COMPLEX Upon your arrival at RFK Stadium, there will Marshals/Bus Captains and Events DC personnel will be on hand to help get you back to your bus. The buses will be parked at Lot 8 by Bus number. Make certain that you get the number of your bus upon arrival to the Washington, DC area. We are encouraging all march participants to arrive to the DC Metro between the hours of 4:00 6:00 AM on the day of the march.

8 Vehicle Safety Checklist Tire Tread: Check air pressure and tread wear on all tires, including the spare. Insert a Lincoln penny into the tread of each tire. If you can see the entire top of his head, your tread is less than one-sixteenth of an inch deep and should be replaced. Tire Pressure: Make sure each tire is filled to the suggested PSI (pounds per square inch) of air, which is listed in your owner's manual and on a label inside the driver's door. Check when tires are "cold"-meaning they haven't been driven on for at least three hours. Belts and Hoses: Look under the hood and inspect all belts and hoses. Make sure there are no signs of blisters, cracks, or cuts in the rubber. High summer temperatures accelerate the rate at which rubber belts and hoses degrade. Wiper Blades: Check for wear-and-tear on both sides. After winter storms and spring rains, it's likely your windshield wiper blades are ragged from use and need to be replaced. Like belts and hoses, wiper blades are susceptible to heat. Air Conditioning: Make sure the air is cool. This is especially important if you are traveling with people who are in poor health or sensitive to heat, such as children and seniors. Fluid Levels: Check oil, brake, transmission, power steering, and windshield fluid. Make sure each reservoir is full and there is no sign of leakage. Seatbelts: Make sure they are working properly. It's the law! Check for frayed webbing, which can weaken the fabric. Make sure all belts retract properly and inspect the metal hardware for cracks or damaged areas. Lights: Check headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, interior lights, and trailer lights. Emergency Roadside Kit: Use the suggestions below to create your own. Cell phone & portable charger First aid kit Flashlight & Basic repair tools Jumpercables or Mobile charger Car jack & ground mat for changing tire Work gloves/change of clothes Extra windshield wiping fluid Flares or White flag Non-perishable food, drinking water, and medicines.

9 If You Are Involved In An Incident If you are involved in a crash: If no one is visibly injured, move your vehicle to the shoulder or off the interstate or parkway Call police. Exchange information. If you have a disabled vehicle: Move vehicle off the roadway if possible and stay in the vehicle. Turn on emergency flashers. Utilize flares if available Tie something white or bright to your antenna or window, or raise hood, to request aid. If unable to move the vehicle from the roadway, stand away from the vehicle. What to Do During Traffic Stops Follow these simple steps during traffic stops to give yourself a fighting chance to contest a ticket. When You First See the Police Car Pull over quickly and safely, letting the police officer know you understand and are complying. Use your signals and pull as far to the right shoulder as you can. Your goal is to calm down a potentially high strung officer and make it clear that you understand he or she is in control. By pulling over quickly, you can also be close to the scene where the officer claims you committed a violation. This allows you to review the scene to evaluate the truthfulness of the officer s allegation and look for potential defenses such as obstructed views. Right After You Are Stopped Always be polite during traffic stops, even if the officer is aggressive. You have little to lose by being polite and a lot to lose by being belligerent. Roll down your window, turn off the engine and place your hands on the steering wheel. If it is night time, turn on your interior light. Do not reach for documentation: officers are trained to spot driver s reaching for hidden items, or stashing items, and it is likely an officer may misinterpret your actions. You might be reaching for your registration, but for all the officer knows, you re reaching for a gun. If you have any suspicion that the officer is not really a police officer (e.g., you were pulled over by an unmarked car), ask politely to see the officer s photo identification and badge. If you still are unsure, you can ask that officer to call a supervisor to the scene or you can request that you be allowed to follow the officer to a police station. Don t Give the Officer an Excuse to Search Your Car Although police officers are normally not allowed to search your car during traffic stops, it s easy to give the officer a valid reason to search your car if you re not careful. Once the officer shines his or her spotlight on your car, the officer is watching you closely for any suspicious movements. For instance, if an officer observes you trying to hide or throw something out of the window, the officer may legally search your car. If you appear to hunch down in your seat, the officer may reasonably believe you re hiding something under the seat. Be calm, don t make sudden or suspicious movements and don t reach for anything until the officer asks you to.

10 If an officer has reason to believe you re armed, dangerous, or involved in criminal activity, the officer can frisk you. If the officer has probable cause (a reasonable basis to believe that you or your passengers are involved in criminal activity), then the officer can search your car. Even if the officer doesn t initially have probable cause, if during the stop the officer sees something in "plain view" (out in the open), then the officer is allowed to inspect it and any other objects the officer comes across can be legally seized as well. Common examples of items in plain view are open beer cans, wine bottles and drug paraphernalia. Finally, an officer can search your car if you or any passenger in your car is arrested. If you are the one arrested, the police may tow your vehicle and do an "inventory" search of the car s contents without any need for reasonable suspicion. Only Get Out of Your Car If the Police Officer Asks You should not get out of your car unless the police officer asks you to. Again, you want to avoid antagonizing the officer and communicate that you understand he or she is in control. Officers are trained to expect the worst, and if you suddenly exit the vehicle, the officer is trained to think you re either going to fight or flee. If an officer asks you to exit the vehicle, you should do so calmly and carefully, with no sudden movements. Exiting the vehicle may give you the opportunity to better survey the scene to verify the officer s allegations. If the officer has a reason to believe you re armed, he or she can pat down your outer clothing. If the officer finds something suspicious, he or she can reach in to grab the concealed object. Talking to the Police Officer Let the officer do most of the talking. Don t interrupt, don t be argumentative, and don t say anything that the officer can record and use against you. This means when an officer asks you questions such as "do you know why I stopped you", you should respond "no. If the officer asks you "do you know how fast you were going", you should simply answer "yes". Officers are trained to let you incriminate yourself by letting you admit to violations or admit that you were careless or negligent. If required, give noncommittal responses such as "ok" or "I see". Often the best course is simply not to respond, silence is not an admission of guilt and cannot be used against you. Be polite, but don t give the officer anything - it s his or her job to prove your guilt.