DU Gathering – September 24th, 2005: Washington DC

http://unitedforpeace.org/article.php?list=type&type=91
http://www.internationalanswer.org/

Both International Answer AND United for Peace & Justice are hosting a massive protest in Washington DC (and other communities across the country) on September 24th, 2005. The bulk of this gathering will be another demonstration against the War in Iraq, but I think this will be a prime time to also show our support for the investigation into the Downing Street Memos (and btw, I know Conyers has been a guest speaker at previous rallies).

So why not make this great opportunities for DUers to gather together and not only join in the protest but also to gather together before/afterwards for a kick-ass DU gathering. I’m already working on hotel accommodations for myself, JimmyJazz & Joan_Alpern but hopefully we’ll find someplace where we can gather and hangout after the protest!

This is being co-sponsored by both International Answer and United for Peace and Justice. Like usual, the protest information isn’t posted until sometime closer to the rally but these things usually start around noon. There are also additional activities on Sunday and Monday for those who want to stay longer and get more active.

I’m still looking for hotel accommodations and I may end up using the same place where we stayed for the October 2002 protest in DC (massive size room where we could just host the party there) and once I get a room I’ll be happy to share that information with others attending in DC. My tentative plans are for us to meet at a Central location sometime that morning for Breakfast/Coffee and then head over to the protest as a unit. I’m also considering making this an entire weekend and maybe have a Friday night party where we can put together some protest signs for the event (you can bet mine will be about DSM!)

So if you’re interested in attending – post here or send me a PM for more details. I will publicly post meeting places where we will gather for events and protests, but if you need hotel accommodations I’ll do that only through PMs

I was definitely planning on coming to DC for the protest and hooking up with my DU people would be quite cool!

:toast:

If I PMed anyone that I was staying at the Best Western Suites, I've switched locations. I found a better rate nearby through http://www.travelocity.com/. If you PM me, I'll let you know which hotel it is. It's a little commericial than Best Western and kinda Art Deco-ish styling in DuPont Circle

It's far enough out so that I can make plans to attend. Money has been tight so we have to save up for big trips (and small ones, too, lol) but we may be able to swing this one!

I'd love to hear more about this. It's a great idea to have DUers meet up!

LynneSin, :yourock:

Then I see it's in North Carolina.

I was born & raised outside of Harriburg, PA

down 'around Huntsville way. ;)

When I say Harrisburg, most think that it's PA!

I live in DC, and am willing to help with any of the planning. Tried to PM you, but not enough posts to do that(I'm new to DU). But you can PM me if you want.:)

At this point I need to figure out which hotel I'll be getting (I'm somewhat familiar with DC but can always use a local to help with the finer points)

I'll be happy to go!

thank god, this town's never pleasant when ANSWER comes to town, we all have to deal with the lockdown.

I will be getting in on Saturday just before noon - as long as my flight is on time. So I don't know if I will get to march, but I'm staying until Tuesday.

Very confused with the two groups and it sounds HUGE with busloads of people coming into town from everywhere - in the 100,000 range.

ImpeachBush.org is putting together signs and sponsoring bringing people in on buses. But I'm not sure which group is or is not affiliated with ANSWER. So one protest is against the war in Iraq and one is calling for B*** and cronies to step down and handing in IMPEACHMENT pettitions..

:kick:

or hotels. I would like somewhere close to a Metro stop or somewhere reasonably priced close to the White House, etc...

in the city expect to $180+/night for a weekend like this, which is not that much, compared to weekday prices.

park near a Metro stop, and take the subway to the Mall.

of course, the N. VA suburbs are my hometown, so i know how to get around there.

of course I hvae 3 roommates so the price isn't so bad. But we still expect you to hang out with us that night - we're right on the metro too!

the Hinckley?

Just tell me the room number ;-)

but we'll still provide the information as soon as we have some

Just let me know!!

Can't afford a hotel.

You know, if you're doing the hostel you might find other DUers who are looking for cheap place to stay!

I have 2 gals driving up with me. Splitting a hotel room and gas ...

Need a cheap hotel now? Any recs?

Also, will there be anything "fun" going on that night?

The B&B's in the DC area have some rooms with shared bath for as little as $75 a night and often include a continental (or gourmet breakfast on the weekends). Some even have snacks and such, so by going Bed and Breakfast instead of hotels you can stretch funds a bit easier some times.

I saw the hotel prices of $179 - $300+ and I nearly choked. I'd already bought my cheap air fair - not refundable.

http://www.bedandbreakfastdc.com/neighborhoods.shtml

please post updates on this forum

But we are 35 miles away from DC, so you will need to have a car or find someone who can pick you up and take you to town. Alternately we'd be willing to drive you to the nearest Metro station, which will give you about a 45-60 minute ride into town.

We can put up 1 person in the guest room (or a couple who doesn't mind sharing a double bed) and 1 or more in the living room, if you don't mind a couch, a recliner, or the floor.

I can't believe this is the first time I've seen this! Mrs. V. and I won't attend the protest but we're happy to help out some DUers who can't afford lodging.

I live here, so I just need directions to where everyone's meeting up.

:D

Glad to see you'll be back! Hope you can hang afterwards for the consumption of hops!

:D :woohoo: I get to meet other DUers. Again!!!!

...makes a mental note to not offer kitkarose any water, soda, milk, ice tea, coffee, etc

:loveya:

that he doesn't have 'consumption' which is good to know.

:bounce:

We call it tuberculosis.

:loveya:

:bounce:

can't say forsure yet. Any hotel suggestions?

:shrug:

A note to those looking for cheap hotel rates, check out Greenbelt or College Park. There are two Metro stations nearby. I only paid 75 bucks a night in College Park.

There was a bit of confusion about TWO DU-meetups in DC. As of now, this is what it looks like:

Saturday, September 24th the party will be at RFDs. JimmyJazz & LynneSin would like to organize something for Friday night, they are working out details and will let people know when they have the details ironed out.

All DU-related events for the weekend of Sept 23rd will be posted at: www.brainshrub.com/dcdumeetup

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=148x746

We have a new hotel - it runs about $150-$175 a night and it's a suite. PM for details.

I'll be there since I don't have to plan anything except getting on Metro.

I hope I can make it! I might be staying in Baltimore with my son- am driving- from NJ-anyone need a ride or supplies to be brought- signs etc. Feel free to contact me. I might drive a doge VAN- and might consider sharing a room for SAT. night in WDC if reasonable.

:bounce:

I think I just might be able to make this weekend. i didn't have the chance to take a vacation this summer, so this might just work.

I'll keep checking back here to see if there are any updates.

I should buy myself a new DU t-shirt for the occasion. :)

I'm gonna be there! :bounce:

I have t have my O2 with me at all times so I probably shouldn't be in a march. But if thee is anything I can do to help....

Usually the march starts off with about 2-5 hours of speakers and the marching will be done afterwards. So you can always join us for the beginning of the protest and when it's too much you can always go your own way.

There will also be an after party at RFDs (see link below for details). So there is plenty to do without actually doing the march

:D

I need this now more than you can know

Great idea:

"My tentative plans are for us to meet at a Central location sometime that morning for Breakfast/Coffee and then head over to the protest as a unit."

That way those of us who can make it last minute, at least have a place to aim for to join up with DU !

Do we have a HUGE parade banner yet? I'll be happy to contribute to help defray the cost of having one custom made! That way, some of us can still be "there" with you all !

Currently it resides at the DU office in DC so I'll probably get in touch with skinner about using it again for the protest. I appreciate your offer but might as well use this one since money was spent already on it :D

Has some great deals on flight/hotel packages for that weekend right now!

As long as the hotel's near a metro station, I don't think there are any bad locations. Try for DCA (Reagan National)and Crystal City, as well as other suburban areas!

Also, Amtrak and Greyhound stations are near the Capitol Building (?)That gets ya close to the action, then you can jump back on the train or bus that night to go home for probably less the cost of a hotel room! (you can see schedules online at their websites)

My other favorite travel sites are Orbitz and Travelocity !

Good luck everybody and hope this helped :)

thank you!

name for clarification :) Otherwise, was afraid non-regional peeps wouldn't know what the hell I was talking about :yoiks:

Can I still come to the Bloody Mary Happy Hour :hide:

I'd love to go unless it ends up being cost prohibitive.

I want to be there Friday evening until Sunday.

I've signed up at BrainShrub.com as Marcos. I'll post there soon.

:hi:

People PM me left and right. I'm assuming you'll want another male roommate or does it not matter

:D

I haven't booked anything yet but I'd like to do it relatively soon.

I'd really like to get a room that's not too difficult transportation-wise to get to and from the meetups and the actual march.

Any ideas?

:)

Best bet is to get something in downtown DC, but your limitations are how much you're willing to spend a night. I have another thread in this forum about Hostels in the downtown DC area. There are also plenty of hotels in the suburb that are on the Metro line (THat's the DC subway system - which is quite excellent and safe).

I would be a lot more comfortable if I were near other DUers since I've never been to D.C. before.

But if it's out further I wouldn't mind doing the Metroline. (I do pretty well with public transportation) Especially if it means saving money.

Several of the Cyrstal City area hotels seemed to be in that range (not far from DCA). That's where I'm looking, once I hear from my tentative travel partners.

but with what you want to spend you definately could get a downtown DC hotel and then make note if there are others looking that you could share.

Our hotel is in Capital Hill which is the SE section of DC. Other good areas to stay is Foggy Bottom & DuPont Circle - both of which are in the NW system. Georgetown is a great area but unfortunately the metro system doesn't head over there and the Metro will be your friend for the weekend.

Might I suggest these 2 sites to help find a hotel. They actually search the internet and all those travel websites and tell you where to find the best rates for a hotel. And remember, when pricing out a hotel - factor in 14.5% for tax and an outrageous price for parking.


You can also look for hotels in ALexandra & Arlington which are both near metro stations but cheaper because they're in Northern Virginia instead of downtown DC

I plan on flying in on Friday and leaving Sunday.

I wanted... what the hell only live once.

I'll have to check it out some tomorrow.

Even though I'm excited about how many DUers are coming to DC for the event, in reality we are but just a smart part of something really major happening that weekend. Years from now, maybe even decades we'll be telling our loved ones of where we were at the weekend of that massive protest in September 2005.

Just pick a place near the metrostops....
Crystal City (Marriotts, part the axis of evil but clean, reasonable {$119per night, junior suites $240} and RIGHT above the metro and a mall with good burgers and sushi)
Pentagon City,
Olde Town Alexandria (Embassy suites is pricey but has a free happy hour amd breakfast)

Airport.

Also some at the Braxton Hotel which is a hostel that does have private rooms

Pool, bar and I could see the statue from my window! (coolest part)

There is also a VERY affordable Holiday Inn on Eisenhower Blvd in Alexandria..... Metro right across parking lot (free parking)

I got a "junior suite" with a queen bed for $115, and the location seems close to events (0.2 miles from Capitol Lounge for the Lounging Liberals party ;)). Plus, it is described as a "blue" company ... what could be better?

Believe me, normally it's $175/night

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Coming into DC Friday, leaving Monday.

Come Sunday, I'll going to the Green Festival at the Convention Center.


:kick:

If you were serious about me tagging along & it wasn't the booze talkin', I might be able to swing it. I have a big massage thing scheduled for that Fri. but I might be able to move it to the next week. I'll talk to you soon about it, probably over more booze.;-)
--Dave

Hell, I might even be making my plane reservations this week!

Please post your name in either of my threads (GD and the Lounge) titled "September 24 march attendees-PLEASE READ!" if you have not already done so, so I can get a headcount for restaurant arrangements.

:yourock:
we would love to meet up with people from DU. We are arriving on Thursday 9/22 & are staying near Capital Hill area. Please advise either me (olildem) or my friend (mohinoaklawnillinois)about any activities or get togethers you are planning. Again, we would love to meet other DU'ers. Thank you very much, & hope to see you in DC next month. PEACE!

If people need a room, they should try where we're staying-Homestead suites in Alexandria. $45 for a kitchenette through hotwire.com, and it's only a mile away from the Eisenhower Ave metro. Believe me, that price will be hard to beat!

I'm worried we'll have DUers over on New York Avenue and that's a pretty seedy neighborhood!

I can't stay overnight, but I'll go for a bit. :-)

looking for a place to stay

You'll find posts with folks talking about rooms & rates they have received and hopefully you can find a room in that particular hotel. I will say if you're not familiar with DC then please PM me. I don't want you ending up in some 3rd rate hotel in a bad neighborhood!

Good luck room hunting!

I just booked my hotel room ($176/night). Just give me any details you think I may need to get me up to speed. I'm so excited!!!

We'd be glad to join your ranks! POWER IN NUMBERS!

Er, probably SAFETY in numbers, but oh well...

At any rate, I'm in :D

Staying in Baltimore with my son, I am staying for the training sesions on Sunday and lobbying on Monday- anyone else?

I'm booked to go to DC for the protest on the 24th, but am looking for training events going on. I know of the PDA and Peace and Justice. Was hoping for some training on election reform. Anyone know of any?

I'm coming in a van with other people from my area and I know they want to go home right after the march :-( so I don't think I'll make the after-party unless I find a different ride home. I'd love to go to the RFD party if I can.