Any out-of-towners coming for the March 19 Event?

[funkybutt]

Just trying to put some feelers out there and see if we've got much interest from out of town. This is going to be a great event, a continuation of the momentum of the Jazz Funeral, which opened so many eyes to the activist movement in Louisiana. We could certainly use as many people out there as we can get.

Come join us DUers!

[AnnInLa]

1. 3 or 4 from Abbeville

Couldn't get any response from others in Lafayette Dem Meet-Up group. I talked to a group of Houston, Texans who came to Jazz Funeral, but they are staying and protesting locally this time. One problem is the high price of hotel rooms for weekend stays in NO.

All of you guys are doing a stupendous job organizing these demonstrations. Just have one tiny suggestion: For the Jazz Funeral, there were many postings about practical matters, which concern people who are travelling from a long distance. This time, not so much. Perhaps there could be a category on the website that addresses those matters, such as: parking, hotels, will preprinted signs be available, meet-ups before and after, how to donate, are the police being cooperative, etc etc. Again, thanks for the effort of all you guys, and thanks for giving us the chance to participate.

[funkybutt]

2. Great!

Glad y'all are coming down. We appreciate your suggestions. I will definitely keep those matters in mind for the next action. Unfortunately the Jazz Funeral is a tough act to follow. I suspect that many local activists may have expended so much energy on that, that they were not quite ready to do it all again. There were fewer people involved in the planning this time around. Illness, work, and other obligations limited many key players participation. Also, the Jazz Funeral kind of took on a life of it's own and grew without much nurturing because of the overwhelming interest of so many organizations. Hopefully those organizations are also on board for this even if they are represented by a smaller turnout.

People will be gathering in Congo Square as early as 10 or 10:30 to begin making signs. This is the only meet-up that I know of. Participants have agreed to bring markers and posterboard, but if you have some materials, please bring them as well. Donations are being taken on www.newdemocracyrising.com on the "stuff" link. There is a $30 "donation version" sticker where $25.66 goes into the Louisiana Activist Network account to cover expenses for musicians, sounds system, ect. I have put in a request to have a $5 and $10 donation option available and a more visible "DONATIONS" link on the page.

[JaneDoughnut]

3. 2 from Shreveport

See you this weekend!

[demodonkey]

4. I Am Here From PENNSYLVANIA -- Need HELP re: Saturday!

I am here in Metairie (Lakeside Hotel) for a Convention... want to come on Saturday, but I need help and directions, please! I have a car, or would public transportation be better?

Also -- I have meetings until 12 or 1 PM --- will there be any rally etc. after that? It looks like on your website the whole event is only 2 hours??

THANKS!

MB from PA