Jan 18: Expanded Public Transit

Public transit is expanding to help make possible the largest peace march in San Francisco history on January 18, 2003, and the weather is cooperating beautifully as well with gorgeous sunshine and 60 degree temperatures. Since it is snowing in DC, we have to outdo ourselves in making sure one million people march for peace in San Francisco on January 18, 2003.

It is best to take public transit to San Francisco on Saturday, January 18, as Market Street will be closed to vehicles from Steuart to Ninth Streets and the cross streets will be CLOSED. Since the opening rally starts at 11 a.m., and the crowd will be extremely large, you can count on Market Street being closed at least from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., perhaps earlier in the morning. The Embarcadero and Van Ness will be open. That means, if you must drive, you should park your car WEST of Van Ness and take the Muni Metro underground, under Market Street, to the Embarcadero Station. All the Muni Metro lines go to the Embarcadero Station.

BART will have 10 extra trains in addition to its Saturday schedule. I strongly urge everyone coming from Berkeley and Oakland to leave home no later than 9 a.m. as the stations in these two cities had 45-minute lines to pay the fare for the October 26, 2002 peace march.

Golden Gate Transit is adding Ferry service from the Larkspur terminal, with extra ferries at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. For the schedule, call 415/455-2000 or see http://www.goldengate.org and http://www.goldengate.org/news/ferry/Jan18-extra-svc.html

San Francisco’s bus and train service, the Municipal Railway (Muni), will be rerouting the buses that run on Market. For more information on Muni, see http://www.sfmuni.com and click “service changes" or see http://www.sfmuni.com/routes/tempindx.htm#one

CONTINGENT LINEUP

There is now a more official lineup for what are probably the lead contingents. The streets named are all at the foot of Market, near the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

LABOR-In front of the Hyatt at Drumm and Market
LESBIAN/GAY/BI/TRANS-In front of the Hyatt at Drumm and Market
INTERFAITH-Steuart and Market
YOUTH & STUDENT-South corner of Market and Spear
SOUTH ASIAN-North side of Davis & Market

The march officially starts at NOON, and with the very large crowd expected, you can be sure it will start no later than NOON. We have a great deal of experience with large crowds in San Francisco because every year we have One Million people for the Gay Pride Parade and Celebration. Thus, we know the importance of being on time and ready to march immediately.

LABOR CONTINENT WILL PROBABLY LEAD. So please, be there at 10 a.m. Everyone, whether or not you are a union member, who supports labor, peace, the Bill of Rights and spending our tax dollars on social needs at home is welcome to join the Labor Contingent. Union members should bring their banners, if possible.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The coordinating table for ANSWER, the organizers of this march, will be on the North Side of Spear and Market Streets.
11 a.m. Opening Rally at the foot of Market.
12 NOON-March Starts Promptly.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED ALL DAY LONG
Civic Center: This is surrounded by the gold-leafed domed City Hall, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, the Public Library, the Asian Museum that is under construction, a state office building and the courthouse of the civil courts of San Francisco County. The streets are Dr. Carlton Goodlett (Polk Street), Grove, Larkin and McAllister.

9 a.m. Volunteer Sign-in and Set-up
10 a.m. Volunteer Orientation
11:30 a.m. Check-in and Set-up for Organization Tables
1:00 p.m. March begins to arrive, rally start.
4 p.m. Rally ends, tearing down begins.

And when you are done with this historic peace march, sisters and brothers, be sure to enjoy one of San Francisco's many fine restaurants and give our economy a little boost. This warmongering is very bad for San Francisco's economy and the workers of San Francisco are feeling the pinch. Enjoy yourselves in San Francisco's restaurants and hotels and at all the main types of fabulous entertainment.

Solidarity Forever! Happy Birthday, Brother Martin!