CAMPUS ANTIWAR NETWORK PLANS FOR COUNTER-INAUGURATION PROTESTS ON JANUARY 20, 2005

[See note below on subway closings]

On January 20, 2005 students and youth will protest the inauguration of George W. Bush in locations all over the country. As Bush takes the oath of office for his second presidential term on January 20, 2005, thousands of people will protest Bush’s war and right-wing agenda. As he rides his limousine down Pennsylvania Avenue, he and the world will hear our message: “Bush is not our President.”

The Campus Antiwar Network will participate in the counter-inaugural activities in both Washington DC and San Francisco, and urges everyone who can to come out to make this big, visible and loud. We will join thousands of others to send a message against the continuing war on the Iraqi and Palestinian people, and to demand money for schools and jobs not war and military recruitment in our schools.

Washington DC:

The DC Anti-War Network (DAWN) has called for a permitted anti-war rally and march from Malcolm X Park to the parade route. Since the Inaugural parade doesn’t start till 2:30, this DC area coalition is hoping that the march can be an exciting way to kick off the day by marching through the city. CAN folks who are getting into town before 11:15 AM will meet up at the park and join the march, and go from the march to the parade route. ANSWER has gotten a protest permit for 4th St and Pennsylvania Ave. This is the start of the parade route, where there is a lot of open space. Look for the CAN table at both locations.

DAWN PROTEST:

9:00 AM Malcolm X Park- 16th and Euclid Sts NW--nearest to U Street and Columbia Heights Metro Stations Directions: Get on the Metro and get onto the Green Line. Get off at the Columbia Heights Metro stop. When you walk out of the Metro, you will be at the corner of 14th and Irving. Go West along Irving until you run into 16th St, and then take a Left onto 16th. In just a few blocks you will be at the corner of 16th and Euclid, go into the park and there is the protest. For more details see bottom of email for logistics for out of town arrivals from DAWN organizers.

11:15 AM. Permitted march towards the White House down 16th Street and ending at McPherson Square Park (15th & I Sts) by approximately at 12:30 PM. Feeder marches organized by other groups will join the DAWN march at points along 16th Street.

ANSWER PROTEST:

4th St and Pennsylvania Ave on the North side of Penn - On the parade route at only a couple blocks south of the DAWN march’s end point. The Inaugural Parade doesn’t start until 2:30 so we should have plenty of time to get to the parade from the end of the DAWN march.

** IF YOU ARE LOST OR ARRIVE SOMETIME BETWEEN 11 AND 12:30, CALL CHRISTIAN AT 202-212-3113 to try to hook up with the march.

*Helpful info from the DAWN list for people coming to DC from out of town:

The place to park buses is RFK Stadium in DC. The cost to park a bus is $30 per bus. Then, people will need to take the Metro from the Stadium/Armory Metro Station. They can take either a blue line (direction of Franconia/Springfield) or an orange line (direction of Vienna) to L'Enfant Plaza Metro, where they will switch to a Green Line train (direction of Greenbelt). From there, they take that to U Street. Exit at the 13th Street Exit, walk down U Street to 15th Street. Take 15th Street up a hill to Malcolm X Park (also known as Meridian Hill Park). The entire trip from RFK will take an additional 35 minutes.

We are working to see whether people can drop off near Malcolm X Park directly and then park at RFK. That would be preferable. It will be part of our discussions with the Park Service.

If you are traveling by car, let me know, because the logistics should be different for that. Malcolm X Park is a huge park along 15th and 16th Streets, and bordered on the north by Euclid Street. We will be in the upper level of the park. It's official name is Meridian Hill Park, and that's where you will find it on maps. The march will go down 16th Street and end at McPherson Square, approximately at 12:30 PM, where people can do what they want.

There is also a mass die-in action, details to come. In any event, from the parade route, there are several places to access the Metro System back to the Stadium/Armory Metro. Most likely, you will be near Federal Triangle or Metro Center, which both have easy rides back.

There is no bus parking at Metro Stations, though buses may certainly drop you off at one. We expect to have greeters at RFK Stadium, U Street, and Columbia Heights Metro. We may also have them at Dupont Circle (which is also walking distance...albeit a bit longer...to Malcolm X Park).

Groups from out of town should make sure they have listed their ride listings on http://www.counter-inaugural.org

We also encourage groups that can to come the night before, and we will help groups arrange their housing needs.

For those traveling by car and arriving the day of our event, please consider parking at the following Metro Stations:

-From I-95 and points South, please consider the Franconia/Springfield Metro. -From I-66, the Vienna Metro -From I-95, Baltimore and points North, the Greenbelt Metro -From I-270 and points north and west, the Shady Grove Metro -From U.S. 50 and points east, the New Carrolton Metro.

All of these metros have plenty of parking.

Those traveling by train will arrive in Union Station, which is accessible directly to the red line Metro, not too many stops away. If you are flying, there are buses and shuttles directly from Dulles and BWI to Metro Stations. National Airport is on the Blue and Yellow Lines.

The Metro system is easy to use. For more information, see http://www.wmata.com

We'd strongly suggest arriving early, if you can, because of possible issues with weather, and because of the early nature of the events. Don't assume that you will not be able to find housing.

It's also a weekday in DC, which can lead to heavy issues with traffic. While some are calling for a general strike, we don't expect that will take root in DC. Assume that there will be heavy traffic.

Please direct questions to me at [email protected]

See index to history of the Campus Antiwar Network at http://www.traprockpeace.org/student_activism.html

Metrorail closings

Several Metrorail stations will be closing for this week's Inauguaration, but the rest of the system will stay open longer.

Metro plans on Thursday to close the and the Archives-Navy Memorial station from 5 am until 5 pm. The agency also will close the Mount Vernon Square-7th Street Convention Center station from 3 pm until 1 am. The station will close its F ST. entrance from 5:30 pm until 1 am.

The subway system will stay open until 3 am to carry partygoers home from inaugural balls. It will charge off-peak fares on the big day and parking will be free at its lots. (AP)

Sheri Pegram