Headline News
Rally to Protect Pensions Information for Retirees
The following information has been posted on behalf of the Teamster Retirees Committee for all attendees of the April 14 Protect Our Pensions Rally.
PERMITS:
Secured by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters through the US Capitol Police. The permit covers everyone. There are no individual permits needed.
LOCATION:
West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building. That is the side of the Capitol that faces the Washington Monument and the National Mall. It is where the Presidential Inauguration is held.
DATE:
Thursday, April 14, 2016
TIME:
The permit has the grounds covered for 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. That time allows for the setup of the stage and sound equipment and the tear down of the stage and sound equipment.
The tear down will have to start no later than 1:00 p.m. Please do not interfere with either. You may gather or walk the grounds as you wish but keep in mind the speakers do not start until 11:00 am.
BUSES:
Buses dropping you off at the site of the rally have a designated drop off area in front of the U.S. Capitol Building. The Capitol Police do not want more than three buses at a time in
that area. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters will have staff on hand to monitor the staging of the buses. If there are more than three buses in the drop off area the extra
buses will be requested to go to the staging area, at Union Station, or circle around until space is available.
IT IS REQUESTED BY IBT TO CALL THEIR STAFF COORDINATOR, BILL PENLEY, AT (540) 604-1927, PRIOR TO ARRIVING AT THE CAPITOL TO MAKE SURE SPACE IS
AVAILABLE FOR DROP OFF. THE STAFF MEMBER WILL BE ON SITE.
If bus parking is needed during the rally, Union Station has space available for $45 or your bus line can reserve space at Union Station for $75. The $45 is to go in, park till needed and exit when needed, one time. The reserved space allows your bus to enter and exit at will during the course of the day at will. Your bus may also take into consideration dropping you off at one of the Metro Train locations that surround the DC area to avoid traffic and parking issues that may arise. The maps and locations are available at www.wmata.com.
CARS:
If you drive into D.C., be aware that rush hour traffic begins around 5 a.m. There are parking garages and meters all around DC. Union Station has parking for 2,000 vehicles. Using the Metro Train into D.C. will help you avoid traffic and parking woes. You can park at the station for $5, take the train to Union Station for around $6-$9 round trip depending on peak & off peak times. Check maps and prices at www.wmata.com You will need a Smart Trip card to board the train which costs $2 which can be purchased at the station and loaded there also. There are attendants there to help you. You can get information concerning the Smart Trip card on the above website.
TAXI:
Cab fare is usually one price for as many that can get in the cab to share. Example, it is about a $5-$7 fare from Union Station to the U.S. Capitol Building. If 5 people get in the cab you can share the fare for $1 each. You can use cash or credit for the cab. Cabs are readily available everywhere in D.C. some are staged and some you can flag down. You do not need to call the cab company for service.
FOOD:
You may bring your own snacks or whatever you want. There are food trucks in certain areas, Union Station, about a 12-14 minute walk, has 3 floors of restaurants, shops etc. The IBT cafeteria, nearby, only serves at designated times and will only be open for lunch at the times when the speakers are on stage so do not plan on eating there. As told, there are many options for food. The Senate and House Buildings which are on either side of the U.S. Capitol, across the streets, all have cafeterias.
Water will be provided by the IBT at the rally site.
RESTROOM:
There will be no PortaPotties on site as not permitted by the Capitol Police. You may use the public restrooms in the U.S. Capitol Building or the U.S. Botanical Garden Conservatory.
SIGNS:
Signs are permitted. If on a stick, the end must be blunt not pointed or sharp. The IBT will have about 600 available.
BANNERS:
Banners are permitted with sticks not pointed but blunt. PVC may also be used.
TRASH:
ALL YOUR TRASH MUST BE REMOVED BY YOU FROM THE GROUNDS
CHAIRS:
You may bring lawn chairs of any type but take them with you when you leave. They are recommended for those that cannot stand long.
OTHER:
Backpacks are allowed
SITES:
You are welcome to tour D.C. at will. Nearby the rally site is the Capitol, Smithsonian, Washington Monument and too many to list. Print or purchase a map to locate them. Take a taxi or train to visit them.
SPEAKERS:
There will be a final updated list of speakers posted today on www.Teamster.org and other sites. They are speaking from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The time may run over for a short while. There are many Congress Members and organizations scheduled. There will probably be some stopping by to make an appearance but not scheduled. We will recognize all in attendance as they arrive. IBT General President James Hoffa will close the rally. Bob Amsden and Mike Walden will MC the rally.
PLEASE SHOW RESPECT FOR ALL SPEAKERS, DO NOT BE RUDE, NO BOOING FOR ANY!
SECURITY:
There will be many law enforcement departments there in uniform and plain clothes. Secret Service will be one of the agencies. If you go in any of the Government buildings you will have to go through security checks. No knives, weapons, guns, etc., are allowed.
IN CLOSING:
There will be other attendees, at the rally, that represent other organizations that their policies do not allow them to speak at certain agenda rally’s or meetings. Some of which are the AARP and PBGC. They will attend the rally and will meet with you as requested. There also will be an Author, Katherine Newman, her Assistant, Rebecca Jacobs at the rally.
They have been contracted by the University of Massachusetts to write a book concerning our plight. They may want to interview you. They are traveling around the country seeking interviews. Good People. As I know there is more information available, We hope this answers many of your questions.
Mike Walden