Ohio Statehouse | 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, Ohio Thursday, June 23, 2016 | 5:006:00 pm
Gather with Unitarian Universalists, in collaboration with the Ohio Student Association, the People’s Justice Project, UU Justice Ohio and our multifaith partners, for an interfaith event focusing on truth telling, fortification and commitment to boldly work for Black liberation. Join Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, Alicia Garza, Rev. Peter Morales, and other Movement for Black Lives and multifaith leaders for this year’s Public Witness. In this FAQ: ● Preparing for the Witness ● While at the Event ● Keys to being in Right Relation ● Transportation Options to the Event ● Dining Options Near the Event
PREPARING FOR WITNESS
● PARTNERS Learn more about our local partner organizations: ○ Ohio Student Association and @OHIOStudents ○ Peoples Justice Project and @OhioPJP ○ UU Justice Ohio Network ● ATTIRE: Please wear your Standing on the Side of Love gear or other shirts of solidarity! ● SIGNS: Bring your Black Lives Matter and Standing on the Side of Love signs but leave your sticks at home the Statehouse has a strict “no signs on sticks” rule ● WATER: Bring water or other beverages as well as a hat or umbrella. If you need anything during the event, there is a CVS a block south (109 S High St) ● RESTROOMS: Before 5:00pm people will be able to use the Statehouse restrooms and water fountains (requires going through metal detectors). For the entirety of the event, singlestall porta potties will be available on site including 2 that are wheelchair accessible. ● ACCESSIBILITY: ASL interpretation will be provided. There will also be both chairs and a tent with limited seating available for folks in wheelchairs and scooters. ● SEATING: While the lawn is available for seating, the Statehouse has requested that scooters and wheelchairs remain on paved sections. ● An EMT will be available on site for any urgent medical needs.
In the event of rain, the witness will take place in the Battelle Room at the Columbus Convention Center
WHILE YOU’RE AT THE EVENT ● Use #StateofEmergence to follow the event on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram and for your own content ● We anticipate the event being streamed live for viewing at www.uua.org/ga
KEYS TO BEING IN RIGHT RELATION
● Practicing Respect & Nontriangulation: Social witness events can bring powerful issues and problems to light. These concerns can sometimes lead to disagreements between people as participants, between participants and organizers, between organizers. As allies and partners, it is our job to listen and encourage direct communication between those feeling aggrieved without inserting ourselves. ● Consent to Touch: Providing support is a wonderful way of showing solidarity and empathy. It is important to always check with an individual before offering a hug, holding a hand or putting one’s arm around them in these instances. ● Willingness to move up and move back: Be cognisant of your voice as an accomplice and advocate. Taking the time to create space for other voices to be heard is just as important as speaking up. ● Take time for SelfCare: We will be outside in the hot sun so be sure to stay hydrated, sit down when needed, and give yourself ample time to recuperate. An integral part of being present to witness requires our best selves at full strength. ● Think of Impact vs. Intention: Witnessing together requires us to assume the best intentions of one another. With that in mind, it is always best to consider the impact our words and actions carry even when they are wellmeaning.
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
Buses come regularly during rush hour but please depart the Convention Center by or near 4:00pm if you plan to take the bus to ensure sufficient time
Walking Directions
Street (6 blocks 0.9 Miles) ● Exit Convention Center and turn left (South) on N. High Street ● Go South on High Street for six blocks until you cross Broad Street ● The Ohio Statehouse will be immediately to the left on the corner of S. High Street and E. Broad Street
COTA Mobility Services
If you already have an ADA ID card, you can reserve transportation with COTA Mobility Services in advance by calling Tonia Pullins, COTA Mobility Coordinator, at th 6142755833. Please call no later than June 17 , 2016 to be sure your request is processed in advance of the June 23 event. This service will include a $3.75 for each trip.
If you have additional questions about accessibility and COTA, their call center can be reached at 6142281776
Chartered Buses
City buses are accessible and available directly in front of the Convention Center and dropping off at the Statehouse providing one transportation option. We have also contracted with VAT Incorporated to provide buses to supplement transportation to and from the Statehouse.
If you will be using a wheelchair or scooter during GA and would like to prereserve a ride with these chartered buses, please SIGN UP HERE. There are a limited number of places for wheelchair/scooters on the chartered buses so sign up as early as possible.
Buses will begin to depart from the Convention Center at 4:00pm with three rounds of pick up from the Convention Center and with return service at the completion of the Public Witness at 6:15pm. The event is from 5:006:00pm ET. Rides depart from the Convention Center drop off area directly off of High Street on the way to the Hyatt Hotel.
City Buses
BUS CBUS (Free) Board CBUS to Sycamore at N. High Street & Ohio Center Way [Just South of Hilton Columbus Downtown] Take bus four stops Exit at Capitol Square stop The Ohio Statehouse will be directly across the street The entrance for accessible seating is one block South on State Street so proceed to meet volunteers on the paved path
Columbus City Bus ($2 Exact Change) Board City Buses #2, 5, 7 or 8 to Downtown at N. High Street & Ohio Center Way [Just South of the Hilton Columbus Downtown] Take bus four stops Exit Capitol Square stop The Ohio Statehouse will be directly across the street The entrance for accessible seating is one block South on State Street so proceed to meet volunteers on the paved path
All buses are scooter/wheelchair accessible for up to two patrons
STREET (6 blocks 0.9 Miles) Exit Convention Center and turn left (South) on N. High Street Go South on High Street for six blocks until you cross Broad Street The Ohio Statehouse will be immediately to the left on the corner of S. High Street and E. Broad Street
Towards the Greater Columbus Convention Center BUS CBUS (Free) Go West on Broad Street for two blocks Turn left and go South on S. Front Street for two blocks Board CBUS to Third Street at S. Front Street & W. Town Street [2 blocks Southwest of Ohio Statehouse] Take bus five stops Exit at N. High Street & Ohio Center Way The Convention Center will be directly across the street
Columbus City Bus ($2 Exact Change) Board City Buses #2, 5, 7 or 8 to Downtown at S. High St. & Capitol Square [Just West of the Ohio Statehouse] Take bus four stops Exit N High St. & Ohio Center Way The Convention Center will be directly to the right
PARKING Parking is available directly under the Statehouse for approximately $5. Entrances are available at Front and Broad Streets and 3rd and State Streets. Find out more information from the Ohio Statehouse here.
TAXI Yellow Cab of Columbus 6144444444 Columbus United Taxi 6144499999
Have accessible vehicles available call one hour advance notice Both Lyft and Uber also operate in the Columbusmetro area
DINING OPTIONS (all within 2 blocks of the Statehouse)
North of the Statehouse: Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails local American fare 73 E Gay St Plantain Cafe Cuban food 77 E Gay St Ringside Cafe Tavern with burgers and beer 19 N Pearl St Oliver’s Burgers and steaks 26 N High St Cafe Napolitana Pizza and bar 40 N High St Potbelly’s Sandwiches, soups and salads 17 S High St Pizza Rustica Pizza 17 S High St South of the Statehouse: Manifesto Tuscan inspired 21 E State St Market 65 Salads & sandwiches 65 E State St The Chintz Room American bistro 121 S High St Condado Tacos 132 South High St