UPDATES
January 26, 2017
We did it!! We traveled together for 40 hours on not so fancy buses -- most of us, at least -- joined hundreds of thousands of others in the streets of Washington and made our voices heard! What an experience, what a weekend and what a ride! Thank you one and all who joined together on this journey. Here's the final email we sent to everyone as follow-up to our trip:
Dear Evanston Bus Riders/Marchers,
Hoping that you’ve had a chance by now to have had several hot showers, good sleeps, and time to process our journey. We’re so grateful to you for coming along with us, sharing your stories, being patient with us and kind to each other, and making the trip so memorable in so many ways. Thank you!
We wanted to share a variety of information with you, including ways to remember our shared experience, and ways to connect with one another so you can keep your momentum going and make the March more than a moment—protesting is exhilarating and it sends a message. But it is not enough.
WARNING: LONG EMAIL! Chockful of info! Grab a snack and a coffee (or wine) …
We are missing a few email addresses of folks who had tickets purchased for them. If one of your traveling companion's email is not on this list, could you please forward this message to them and provide us with their email addresses? Thanks!!
MEETUP AT CURT’S CAFE NORTH
Want to connect? Meet us at Curt’s Cafe on Central street from 1 to 3pm this Saturday! Please let us know if you’ll be there.
LIST OF RIDERS WITH CONTACT INFO
We have heard from many of you that you’d like to keep in touch with us, with riders on your particular bus, and with everyone in our group as well. To that end, we have attached a pdf of the google doc that includes everyone’s name and email address—and we’ve organized it by bus number. To remind you, Bus #1 was Evan Finamore's bus. Bus #2 was Nina Kavin’s bus. But #3 was Kathleen Long's bus. Bus #4 was Kalpana Waikar’s bus. Please let us know by end of day Monday if you don’t see yourself or a friend on the list or if there is any other mistake —and we’ll correct it. If you’d like to include your cell phone number, let us know that as well. We’ll send out an updated list once we hear from you.
Also, this email has been sent out in batches by bus number according to our records on the attached list. We realize that towards the end of boarding on Friday there was some last minute scrambling from bus to bus and you may have been checked in on more than one. If you or someone you know is listed on the wrong bus, we apologize. Please let us know and we will send that correction out to everyone when we finalize the list. We appreciate your understanding.
BE COUNTED!
If you haven’t already, WMW is trying to establish how many people went to a march anywhere in the world! To let them know you represented, please text 89800 and write the words "count me". Once you have done that, it will direct you to the website to list where you marched, and, if you like, you may opt in to receive totals as they are updated.
NEWBERRY LIBRARY WANTS MEMORABILIA
A reminder that the Newberry Library is collecting memorabilia from the historic march. If you have something you’re willing to part with, please contact Becky Lowry at [email protected].
FACEBOOK GROUP/WEBSITE
Many of you asked that we start a private Facebook group that will allow everyone to keep in touch both socially and to organize in various ways to continue monitoring and responding in Evanston, in Illinois, and nationally to the Trump administration and its onslaught against our rights and freedoms, among them (to name a few) reproductive rights, immigrant rights, LGBTQ rights, the rights of people of color, the threats to our environment. We've set up that page, which you can find it here www.facebook.com/groups/745763385573758/members/ or search wmwEvanston on Facebook. Please like the page!
To start, we'd love it if everyone could choose their favorite, say, 20 photos, and post them for the group to see! And also any thoughts you have about your experience and next steps now that you’ve had some time to decompress. If you’re feeling very ambitious, film yourself on your iPhone and answer these questions: why did you go to the march? Was it what you expected? Why/why not? What are your next steps. Post your video on the Facebook page!
For those of you who are not on Facebook, we will continue to post information on our website,wmwEvanston.weebly.com and will share links to Facebook photo albums with you, as well. We will also set-up a new message board on the website where you can keep in touch with one another and post messages for everyone. We’ll also maintain our email address [email protected] although we will not be checking it nearly as ofter, so be patient when awaiting a response.
PUSSY HATS
If you loved your pussy hat but don’t feel that you need to keep it for eternity, there are two people who’ve contacted us to see if they can get one for friends. Please let us know if you’re willing to give yours up. In addition, Amy Landolt told us that NCJW is collecting pussy hats to donate to an organization that is collecting them and giving them to cancer patients. You can drop the hat off at 1624 Sequoia Trail in Glenview. There is a plastic bin outside the front door.
Can you please send a request for pussy hats to your email network?
LIST OF SPEAKERS
We hope you enjoyed hearing from and meeting the speakers on your bus. Unfortunately, each bus only heard from three of the 12 speakers, so we’re attaching the list of all the people who spoke, along with their emails in case you’d like to reach out to them. Bus #1 had a few additional spontaneous speakers, so we included their information, as well.
LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS AND THINGS TO DO
As we learned from each other on the bus journey, all of us went to the march because we were devastated by Trump's rhetoric of hate and bigotry, his vile misogyny, and his disrespect for the environment (among many other things). We marched because all of these values are now ensconced in the White House and we are angry, scared, and determined to stand up for our values. Given the enormous list of rights and freedoms we need to protect, we can feel overwhelmed and even paralyzed. We suggest that, so that you have the energy to fight for the long haul and not burn out, you think about the one or two issues that really speak to you, and focus your energy on those. And think about the big picture instead of reacting to every “creepy tweet” and inflammatory statement Trump makes.
Rider Jill Greenman forwarded us a great and useful email of things to do from her friend Amanda Blair MacDonald,which we’ve adapted here. If you’re less political and want to work for social justice through local Evanston community organizations, we’ve attached a list of those as well. Here are excerpts from Amanda’s email:
LOST AND FOUND
Several people left items on the buses. Bus #1 had one of our logo fleece scarves, and a large Blick bag (left in the undercarriage) with a piece of foamcare and other sign making supplies. From bus #2, we have two blue blankets, two water bottles, Laurel Tyler’s red shirt, a pair of black Title Nine sweat pants, and a plaid scarf. Bus #3: a sweatshirt with NYUniversity on it, and a shirt with strikers in pink on it, and a grey fleece cover for a blanket. We will bring all of these to Curt’s!
THANK YOU TO ETHS SAFETY
Superindendent Eric Witherspoon and Safety Director Matt Driscoll (and the security team) went above and beyond the call of duty to make everything work like clockwork as we left and arrived back at the school. I’m sure they’d be thrilled to receive an email from you to acknowledge them. Superintendent Witherspoon’s email is [email protected] and Matt Driscoll’s is [email protected]. And if you are ever at the school, please thank a security guard!
GO FUND ME
As you know, we mounted a Go Fund Me campaign so that we could include 20 riders who otherwise would not have been able to afford to go DC. We raised more than $4,000 in a little more than a week! Of that, we have about $500 left over, which we plan to split between Curt’s Cafe and the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy.
ONGOING GATHERINGS AND REUNIONS
It would be great to depend on each other in the coming days and months (can’t bring ourselves to say “years”) to keep us motivated to write letters, attend meetings, join organizations, donate funds, participate in committees, and organize in various ways according to our various interests. If any of you are interested in taking charge of arranging monthly meetings—either for your own bus or as a larger group, we’d love that! Just step up! And be sure to include us!
January 18, 2017
Our seat exchange message board is now closed. No more passenger changes and transfers are permitted.
January 16, 2017
If you are in search of an acceptable clear backpack for the March and have found that Amazon is sold out, here are two options other riders have found
January 15, 2017
Our latest email in case you didn't see it
Hi Riders,
It’s almost Friday (!) and we hope you’re gearing up for a long but worthwhile weekend!We wanted to offer some updates and information. Please read this email in its entirety.
It’s been an honor to organize our caravan of four Evanston buses, 220 riders! Please remember that we are not responsible for your food on or off the buses (though we do have some generously donated snacks, which we’ll offer), your Metro Train tickets to and from the rally and march, or anything other than getting you onto the buses in Evanston and back again from DC!
BOARDING THE BUSES AT ETHS
• On Friday, please be at the ETHS parking lot at least 30 minutes
early. The buses leave at 4:13 p.m. They will arrive and stage at the BACK of Lot 1, not right near the building as we had previously thought.
• Try to get dropped off to avoid having to leave your car in the
lot. If you’re leaving your car, make sure you’ve filled out and
submitted this parking permit from
ETHS: docs.google.com/a/eths202.org/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqOHUhpISdt9QMJoOQNGEkPpvhU4HSt-51ciq34SVAI-1E3A/viewform. If you do not complete this form you will not be permitted to park at the school and run the risk of being towed if you do.
• Consider staying in the car till the buses are ready to board—we won’t have an indoor space while we wait.
• Remember that buses are not assigned, so if you’re traveling with a partner or a group, it will be up to you to check in with us together and find yourselves a bus and seats together.
• We will be checking people in for the buses individually, so please be patient with us! We’ll do our very best to facilitate an efficient and smooth process.
• If you haven’t already, please email us the names and emails of everyone in your party and/or the names of anyone you transferred your seat to so we can make sure our roster is up to date. Again, our roster will be considered final by end of day (5 p.m.) Wednesday.
• If you are registered on the Rally Bus website, stay tuned for any updates from Rally Bus—they will be emailed directly to you.
CAN’T COME?
• If you’ve purchased a ticket but can’t come to the march, you have until WEDNESDAY at 5 p.m. to try and sell or donate it and get the new rider’s name and email address to us. One option is to go to http://wmwevanston.weebly.com/seat-exchange.html, where there may be folks looking to get a seat. After Wednesday, we cannot accept any new riders.
• If you have sold or given away a seat, Rally Bus has asked you to transfer that seat to the other passenger’s name. We understand that the function on the website for doing this has not been working. PLEASE, EVEN IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO OFFICIALLY TRANSFER THE SEAT, LET US KNOW THE NAME OF THE NEW PASSENGER. We are working very hard to ensure that we have complete and correct rosters of our passengers. We cannot accomplish this without your assistance.
THE JOURNEY
• We’re hoping to have some informal programming on each bus from in the late afternoon/early evening. This will include some icebreakers, speakers and discussion, as much as that is possible.
• According to Rally Bus, our buses will stop every 2 to 3 hours to refuel, for bathroom breaks, and to buy snacks. The on-bus bathrooms will be for emergencies only.
• We plan to institute a buddy system where every rider has a buddy so we can be sure that everyone who gets off the bus at a stop and at the rally also gets back on so that we all get to DC and we all get back home—so please make sure to pick one person to keep track of on the bus.
• We recommend that you consider bringing a portable phone charger if you have one as we do not anticipate charging accommodations on the bus.
• Per Rally Bus, every passenger can carry on two small item (like bags and coolers), and store two larger items in the undercarriage. You can bring food and drinks on the bus, but no glass containers. You’ll take the same bus there and back. The buses are locked up during the event, but Rally (and we) can’t be responsible for anything lost. For more information from Rally Bus, go to rallybus.net/womens-march-on-washington.
WHAT CAN I BRING TO THE MARCH
Below is information from the March organizers. For more, check out HTTPS://WWW.WOMENSMARCH.COM/FAQ/
Can I bring my backpack/bag to the march?
All backpacks and bags may be subject to search at the March, and those not conforming to the standards set here may be confiscated or asked to be left behind. Backpacks are not permitted unless they are clear and no larger than 17"x12"x6" (colored transparent bags are not permitted).
Can we bring flags and banners?
Flags are allowed, but not on a pole. Posters and signs are allowed, but not with the use of wooden sign posts. Instead, we encourage people to use cardboard sign posts.
Can we bring folding chairs so we can take rests, and canes to walk with?
If you need the assistance of a cane please bring it. Folding chairs are not permitted. If there are specific medical needs that you cannot have met with regular accommodation, we will have a limited seated section for people who need seating. We will give more information on this in the next week.
TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE MARCH
Buses to DC will arrive and depart from the RFK stadium parking lots by Stadium Armory metro station.
For detailed information about transportation from RFK stadium to the march, march information and DC information, go to the Illinois Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wmwillinois and https://www.womensmarch.com.
LEAVING DC FOR EVANSTON AFTER THE MARCH
Our buses are scheduled to leave at 9 p.m. on Saturday. You should return to our staging area by 8:30 p.m. YOU MUST BE BACK TO OUR STAGING AREA NO LESS THAN 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO OUR DEPARTURE TIME so that we are able to board the buses and leave by 9 p.m. sharp. We will leave at this departure time irregardless of whether or not all riders are back on the bus.
MERCH, ETC
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS COMMITTED THEIR TIME AND ENERGY TO JOINING AS A COMMUNITY TO RIDE, STAND, AND MARCH AGAINST SEXISM, BIGOTRY AND HATE AND FOR THE EVANSTON IDEAL OF INCLUSION AND EQUITY (with much work to be done right here to make that ideal … real).
Please continue to check our UPDATES page http://wmwevanston.weebly.com/updates.html on our website for any new and additional information about our journey. We also encourage you to regularly check the national WMW pagehttps://www.womensmarch.com for updates from about the march itself.
Your faithful organizers,
Kathleen, Nina and Evan
January 13, 2017
JUST ONE WEEK UNTIL WE TAKE OUR HISTORIC JOURNEY TOGETHER!!
Check out this fantastic new informational video from the Women's March on Washington organization:
www.facebook.com/womensmarchonwash/videos/vb.1338822066131069/1401849963161612/?type=2&theater
January 11, 2017
TAKE A MOMENT TO READ THE FAQ PAGE ON THE OFFICIAL WOMEN'S MARCH ON WASHINGTON WEBSITE.
This is the best place to get all of your questions answered about the logistics related to the March.
The link can be found here: www.womensmarch.com/faq
PLEASE NOTE: There are now bag restrictions in place for the event. No backpacks are allowed and there are size limitations on the bags you are permitted to carry. PLEASE GO TO THE WEBSITE AND READ THE GUIDELINES.
January 9. 2017
SEAT SALES AND TRANSFERS
In response to requests that continue to come in for seats, as well as emails informing us that registered riders have seats to sell, we have set up a message board on our website so that people can post seat requests and seat for sale that can be found here: http://wmwevanston.weebly.com/seat-exchange.html
Please use this message board ONLY if you have a seat to sell or are looking to buy another seat. If you are posting on this page, be sure to include your name and contact information. Seats should only be sold for the designated face value, our seat cost of $164. For those of you selling seats, once your transaction is complete, follow these instructions from Rally Bus for transferring your seat to a new passenger:
1) Log into your account
2) Click on VIEW DETAILS by your Booking
3) Use the I would like to transfer this booking link
Finally, please email us at [email protected] so that we can keep our roster up to date. Thank you!
Please note; We are not seat brokers nor do we have the capacity or desire to facilitate transactions between riders. We do not guarantee that by posting on this page that you will be able to sell or buy a seat. This is just one way to make that happen. We encourage you to pursue other means of acquiring or transferring seats, such as talking to friends and posting on social media.
RALLY BUS APP
Rally Bus has created an app that allows you to access information about your reservation, our trip and the buses we will be taking. To down load it on your phone you will need to follow this link: http://rallybus.net/Apps
REGISTRATION
Based on recommendations from Rally Bus, we may need to change our registration procedures from the the process described in our previous email. We will be getting more information from Rally Bus this week regarding this matter. Before our departure date, we will be sending an email specifically about bus boarding procedures so stay tuned. Also, don't forget to check our UPDATES (http://wmwevanston.weebly.com/updates.html) and FAQ (http://wmwevanston.weebly.com/faq.htm)l pages on the website for the latest information.
SCARVES
We will be selling specially designed EVANSTON WOMEN'S MARCH on WASHINGTON scarves at cost to anyone who would like to have one, although we will be offering them to you first, on the the day we depart. They will be $6 each, cash, exact change appreciated. They are black fleece scarves with a pink and white embroidered design, perfectly suited to match our pussyhats. See photo at the top of the page.
January 2, 2017
Here's some helpful information related to the March.
Wondering what to wear? Read this www.wardrobeoxygen.com/2016/12/what-to-wear-to-a-protest-march.html
Buy your DC $10 Metro SmarTrip Card NOW so there is time to mail it to you before the WMW. This way you will avoid long lines at the train station. https://smartrip.wmata.com/Storefront We have been told $10 is enough to cover the metro trip to and from the March/Rallybus points.
Here’s the latest article on the March: Planned Parenthood, Gloria Steinem, And Harry Belafonte Join Women's March On Washington Leadership - BuzzFeed News
December 27, 2016
Check out this great article with all the latest news about the March.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/27/womens-march-on-washington-dc-guide
December 24, 2016
Today is the Rally Bus deadline for cancellations. Refunds will no longer be granted after today and we are no longer accepting names for a waitlist as Rally Bus registration is officially closed. If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]
December 15, 2016
BUSES ARE SOLD OUT!
There are no seats available. We have filled four buses to capacity. Should we get any cancellations, we will inform people on the waitlist in the order that we have received requests. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email us at [email protected] or contact us via the contact page of this website wmwevanston.weebly.com/contact.html. Rally Bus allows cancellations until December 24th.
December 12, 2016
PARKING UPDATE
ETHS has assigned us to parking lot #1, the large lot located at the back of the school with entrances on Church and Lake Streets. For those of you planning to park your cars, this is the only lot in which you are permitted to park. This is also where we will load and unload our buses.
Please note, ETHS is not responsible for damage to or theft of their vehicles.
For those leaving their cars at ETHS over the weekend, you must complete the ETHS required overnight parking request form. This form can be accessed, filled out, and submitted here: docs.google.com/a/eths202.org/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqOHUhpISdt9QMJoOQNGEkPpvhU4HSt-51ciq34SVAI-1E3A/viewform. If you do not complete this form you will not be permitted to park at the school and run the risk being towed if you do.
December 9, 2016
The latest information about the march:
www.washingtonpost.com/local/none-of-the-inauguration-protests-have-their-proper-permits-yet-heres-why/2016/12/08/82ba757e-bbc6-11e6-91ee-1adddfe36cbe_story.html?utm_term=.aad736ea77e9
December 6, 2016
Evanston Rallybus riders:
Greetings from Evanston WMW. We have important information to share with you about RIDER PRICING, the RALLYBUS CANCELLATION DATE and TRIP LOGISTICS.
We appreciate in advance your understanding that this journey to WMW is a new venture for all of us, including your faithful organizers. Hiccups may occur, but we promise to communicate to you immediately on critical information you need to know.
By the way, in terms of bus travel logistics and protocol – prepare as you would if you were a Rider on a Greyhound Bus. We will be posting an FAQ on our website in a few days with further details.
READ THIS:
1. Pricing has changed: The Rallybus seat will be $164 per rider for a full bus. This is because Rallybus underpriced their buses from Illinois and has informed us that they raised the seat minimum. We apologize for this change in price. Please understand that this is new information for us, too, and we will continue to do our best to provide you with the latest news as soon as possible. Note: This price change does not impact riders requesting financial assistance for the seat WMW Evanston has confirmed to purchase.
2. The new cancellation date from Rallybus is 12/24. Please cancel ASAP (NOW) if you know you will not be taking the bus. if you think you may cancel, please do not wait until the last minute as the number of seats sold will set the final seat price.
3. We will be updating our materials as best we can to inform riders about this information
4. Trip Logistics (FAQ): We are fielding logistical questions about the bus trip and we will be posting an FAQ page on our website that may answer your questions. This will be up soon. Please regularly check our website out: http://wmwevanston.weebly.com
We sincerely hope this change will not keep any of you from attending. Please contact us at [email protected] for further discussion.
December 3, 2016
We encourage everyone who is signed up for our buses to register individually on the
Women's March On Washington event page so that you can receive updates about the March.
Here's the link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/womens-march-on-washington-official-tickets-29428287801
We did it!! We traveled together for 40 hours on not so fancy buses -- most of us, at least -- joined hundreds of thousands of others in the streets of Washington and made our voices heard! What an experience, what a weekend and what a ride! Thank you one and all who joined together on this journey. Here's the final email we sent to everyone as follow-up to our trip:
Dear Evanston Bus Riders/Marchers,
Hoping that you’ve had a chance by now to have had several hot showers, good sleeps, and time to process our journey. We’re so grateful to you for coming along with us, sharing your stories, being patient with us and kind to each other, and making the trip so memorable in so many ways. Thank you!
We wanted to share a variety of information with you, including ways to remember our shared experience, and ways to connect with one another so you can keep your momentum going and make the March more than a moment—protesting is exhilarating and it sends a message. But it is not enough.
WARNING: LONG EMAIL! Chockful of info! Grab a snack and a coffee (or wine) …
We are missing a few email addresses of folks who had tickets purchased for them. If one of your traveling companion's email is not on this list, could you please forward this message to them and provide us with their email addresses? Thanks!!
MEETUP AT CURT’S CAFE NORTH
Want to connect? Meet us at Curt’s Cafe on Central street from 1 to 3pm this Saturday! Please let us know if you’ll be there.
LIST OF RIDERS WITH CONTACT INFO
We have heard from many of you that you’d like to keep in touch with us, with riders on your particular bus, and with everyone in our group as well. To that end, we have attached a pdf of the google doc that includes everyone’s name and email address—and we’ve organized it by bus number. To remind you, Bus #1 was Evan Finamore's bus. Bus #2 was Nina Kavin’s bus. But #3 was Kathleen Long's bus. Bus #4 was Kalpana Waikar’s bus. Please let us know by end of day Monday if you don’t see yourself or a friend on the list or if there is any other mistake —and we’ll correct it. If you’d like to include your cell phone number, let us know that as well. We’ll send out an updated list once we hear from you.
Also, this email has been sent out in batches by bus number according to our records on the attached list. We realize that towards the end of boarding on Friday there was some last minute scrambling from bus to bus and you may have been checked in on more than one. If you or someone you know is listed on the wrong bus, we apologize. Please let us know and we will send that correction out to everyone when we finalize the list. We appreciate your understanding.
BE COUNTED!
If you haven’t already, WMW is trying to establish how many people went to a march anywhere in the world! To let them know you represented, please text 89800 and write the words "count me". Once you have done that, it will direct you to the website to list where you marched, and, if you like, you may opt in to receive totals as they are updated.
NEWBERRY LIBRARY WANTS MEMORABILIA
A reminder that the Newberry Library is collecting memorabilia from the historic march. If you have something you’re willing to part with, please contact Becky Lowry at [email protected].
FACEBOOK GROUP/WEBSITE
Many of you asked that we start a private Facebook group that will allow everyone to keep in touch both socially and to organize in various ways to continue monitoring and responding in Evanston, in Illinois, and nationally to the Trump administration and its onslaught against our rights and freedoms, among them (to name a few) reproductive rights, immigrant rights, LGBTQ rights, the rights of people of color, the threats to our environment. We've set up that page, which you can find it here www.facebook.com/groups/745763385573758/members/ or search wmwEvanston on Facebook. Please like the page!
To start, we'd love it if everyone could choose their favorite, say, 20 photos, and post them for the group to see! And also any thoughts you have about your experience and next steps now that you’ve had some time to decompress. If you’re feeling very ambitious, film yourself on your iPhone and answer these questions: why did you go to the march? Was it what you expected? Why/why not? What are your next steps. Post your video on the Facebook page!
For those of you who are not on Facebook, we will continue to post information on our website,wmwEvanston.weebly.com and will share links to Facebook photo albums with you, as well. We will also set-up a new message board on the website where you can keep in touch with one another and post messages for everyone. We’ll also maintain our email address [email protected] although we will not be checking it nearly as ofter, so be patient when awaiting a response.
PUSSY HATS
If you loved your pussy hat but don’t feel that you need to keep it for eternity, there are two people who’ve contacted us to see if they can get one for friends. Please let us know if you’re willing to give yours up. In addition, Amy Landolt told us that NCJW is collecting pussy hats to donate to an organization that is collecting them and giving them to cancer patients. You can drop the hat off at 1624 Sequoia Trail in Glenview. There is a plastic bin outside the front door.
Can you please send a request for pussy hats to your email network?
LIST OF SPEAKERS
We hope you enjoyed hearing from and meeting the speakers on your bus. Unfortunately, each bus only heard from three of the 12 speakers, so we’re attaching the list of all the people who spoke, along with their emails in case you’d like to reach out to them. Bus #1 had a few additional spontaneous speakers, so we included their information, as well.
LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS AND THINGS TO DO
As we learned from each other on the bus journey, all of us went to the march because we were devastated by Trump's rhetoric of hate and bigotry, his vile misogyny, and his disrespect for the environment (among many other things). We marched because all of these values are now ensconced in the White House and we are angry, scared, and determined to stand up for our values. Given the enormous list of rights and freedoms we need to protect, we can feel overwhelmed and even paralyzed. We suggest that, so that you have the energy to fight for the long haul and not burn out, you think about the one or two issues that really speak to you, and focus your energy on those. And think about the big picture instead of reacting to every “creepy tweet” and inflammatory statement Trump makes.
Rider Jill Greenman forwarded us a great and useful email of things to do from her friend Amanda Blair MacDonald,which we’ve adapted here. If you’re less political and want to work for social justice through local Evanston community organizations, we’ve attached a list of those as well. Here are excerpts from Amanda’s email:
- We can't fight ideology with facts, we must fight it with stories. We must share our PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, or the experiences of people we know.
- Calls are more effective than writing. If you need help, there are call scripts going around to help you know what to say. Join some action groups and search for scripts or ask for them.
- Here are some other ideas and resources. Again, just pick one or two so you don't feel overwhelmed:
- The website for the Women's March lists 10 actions you can take in the first 100 days: www.womensmarch.com/100/
- Social media has been derided as being a bubble that makes people feel good but doesn't make a difference. It doesn't have to be that way! You can use Facebook and Twitter to keep track of your representatives and place public pressure on them! "Friend" all of your reps on Facebook and hit the "follow" button for all of them on Twitter. This will help you keep track of their stances on policies and when they will be in town holding public meetings. For example, here are Dick Durbin's Facebook and Twitter pages: www.facebook.com/SenatorDurbin/?fref=ts , https://twitter.com/SenatorDurbin
- A way to get out of your bubble is to search topics on FB or Twitter by hashtag. This will give you comments from everyone who used that hashtag, not just people you are friends with. For example, in the search bar you can type "#trumpglobalgag or #standingrock. You can help also by including hashtags with all of your posts as well. You don't have to know anything. Just write what you think your post is about. #understanding #education #history #faith, etc.
- You can also find action groups on Facebook that can give you ideas about helpful actions to take. For example, one of the break-off Pantsuit groups is now a Chicago-based action group: www.facebook.com/groups/1787836604788645/
- If you'd rather receive suggestions via email, there's a group called "My Civic Workout" that will send you suggestions for 5 minute, 10 minute, and 30 minute actions: www.mycivicworkout.com/
- There is a guide called the "Indivisible Guide" that was written by former Congressional aids who learned from the tactics of the Tea Party and put together this guide to help people know how to take effective action. It is long - I've been reading it a few pages at a time - but very helpful. Here's a link: www.indivisibleguide.com/
- You can also use your zip code to find groups near you who are aligning themselves with the Indivisible Guide recommendations: www.indivisibleguide.com/local-action-groups
- And finally, here is a great article from Bill Moyers, who writes about how the GOP has manipulated districts to give conservatives power and claim a mandate even though there are more liberals and progressives in our country. It is very helpful in understanding electoral systems and the importance of using our voices to speak up. billmoyers.com/story/progressives-new-silent-majority/
LOST AND FOUND
Several people left items on the buses. Bus #1 had one of our logo fleece scarves, and a large Blick bag (left in the undercarriage) with a piece of foamcare and other sign making supplies. From bus #2, we have two blue blankets, two water bottles, Laurel Tyler’s red shirt, a pair of black Title Nine sweat pants, and a plaid scarf. Bus #3: a sweatshirt with NYUniversity on it, and a shirt with strikers in pink on it, and a grey fleece cover for a blanket. We will bring all of these to Curt’s!
THANK YOU TO ETHS SAFETY
Superindendent Eric Witherspoon and Safety Director Matt Driscoll (and the security team) went above and beyond the call of duty to make everything work like clockwork as we left and arrived back at the school. I’m sure they’d be thrilled to receive an email from you to acknowledge them. Superintendent Witherspoon’s email is [email protected] and Matt Driscoll’s is [email protected]. And if you are ever at the school, please thank a security guard!
GO FUND ME
As you know, we mounted a Go Fund Me campaign so that we could include 20 riders who otherwise would not have been able to afford to go DC. We raised more than $4,000 in a little more than a week! Of that, we have about $500 left over, which we plan to split between Curt’s Cafe and the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy.
ONGOING GATHERINGS AND REUNIONS
It would be great to depend on each other in the coming days and months (can’t bring ourselves to say “years”) to keep us motivated to write letters, attend meetings, join organizations, donate funds, participate in committees, and organize in various ways according to our various interests. If any of you are interested in taking charge of arranging monthly meetings—either for your own bus or as a larger group, we’d love that! Just step up! And be sure to include us!
January 18, 2017
Our seat exchange message board is now closed. No more passenger changes and transfers are permitted.
January 16, 2017
If you are in search of an acceptable clear backpack for the March and have found that Amazon is sold out, here are two options other riders have found
- Order directly from the Eastsport website and select expedited shipping. www.eastsport.com
- Order online from Walmart and choose 'In Store Pick-Up' from the Skokie store from the shipping options. www.walmart.com/ip/Eastsport-Clear-Backpack/51232889
January 15, 2017
Our latest email in case you didn't see it
Hi Riders,
It’s almost Friday (!) and we hope you’re gearing up for a long but worthwhile weekend!We wanted to offer some updates and information. Please read this email in its entirety.
It’s been an honor to organize our caravan of four Evanston buses, 220 riders! Please remember that we are not responsible for your food on or off the buses (though we do have some generously donated snacks, which we’ll offer), your Metro Train tickets to and from the rally and march, or anything other than getting you onto the buses in Evanston and back again from DC!
BOARDING THE BUSES AT ETHS
• On Friday, please be at the ETHS parking lot at least 30 minutes
early. The buses leave at 4:13 p.m. They will arrive and stage at the BACK of Lot 1, not right near the building as we had previously thought.
• Try to get dropped off to avoid having to leave your car in the
lot. If you’re leaving your car, make sure you’ve filled out and
submitted this parking permit from
ETHS: docs.google.com/a/eths202.org/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqOHUhpISdt9QMJoOQNGEkPpvhU4HSt-51ciq34SVAI-1E3A/viewform. If you do not complete this form you will not be permitted to park at the school and run the risk of being towed if you do.
• Consider staying in the car till the buses are ready to board—we won’t have an indoor space while we wait.
• Remember that buses are not assigned, so if you’re traveling with a partner or a group, it will be up to you to check in with us together and find yourselves a bus and seats together.
• We will be checking people in for the buses individually, so please be patient with us! We’ll do our very best to facilitate an efficient and smooth process.
• If you haven’t already, please email us the names and emails of everyone in your party and/or the names of anyone you transferred your seat to so we can make sure our roster is up to date. Again, our roster will be considered final by end of day (5 p.m.) Wednesday.
• If you are registered on the Rally Bus website, stay tuned for any updates from Rally Bus—they will be emailed directly to you.
CAN’T COME?
• If you’ve purchased a ticket but can’t come to the march, you have until WEDNESDAY at 5 p.m. to try and sell or donate it and get the new rider’s name and email address to us. One option is to go to http://wmwevanston.weebly.com/seat-exchange.html, where there may be folks looking to get a seat. After Wednesday, we cannot accept any new riders.
• If you have sold or given away a seat, Rally Bus has asked you to transfer that seat to the other passenger’s name. We understand that the function on the website for doing this has not been working. PLEASE, EVEN IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO OFFICIALLY TRANSFER THE SEAT, LET US KNOW THE NAME OF THE NEW PASSENGER. We are working very hard to ensure that we have complete and correct rosters of our passengers. We cannot accomplish this without your assistance.
THE JOURNEY
• We’re hoping to have some informal programming on each bus from in the late afternoon/early evening. This will include some icebreakers, speakers and discussion, as much as that is possible.
• According to Rally Bus, our buses will stop every 2 to 3 hours to refuel, for bathroom breaks, and to buy snacks. The on-bus bathrooms will be for emergencies only.
• We plan to institute a buddy system where every rider has a buddy so we can be sure that everyone who gets off the bus at a stop and at the rally also gets back on so that we all get to DC and we all get back home—so please make sure to pick one person to keep track of on the bus.
• We recommend that you consider bringing a portable phone charger if you have one as we do not anticipate charging accommodations on the bus.
• Per Rally Bus, every passenger can carry on two small item (like bags and coolers), and store two larger items in the undercarriage. You can bring food and drinks on the bus, but no glass containers. You’ll take the same bus there and back. The buses are locked up during the event, but Rally (and we) can’t be responsible for anything lost. For more information from Rally Bus, go to rallybus.net/womens-march-on-washington.
WHAT CAN I BRING TO THE MARCH
Below is information from the March organizers. For more, check out HTTPS://WWW.WOMENSMARCH.COM/FAQ/
Can I bring my backpack/bag to the march?
All backpacks and bags may be subject to search at the March, and those not conforming to the standards set here may be confiscated or asked to be left behind. Backpacks are not permitted unless they are clear and no larger than 17"x12"x6" (colored transparent bags are not permitted).
- Bags/totes/purses for small personal items should be no larger than 8”x6”x4”.
- Specifically for people who would like to bring meals, each marcher is permitted one additional 12”x12”x6” plastic or gallon bag.
- For marchers who have medical needs or for mothers whoneed baby bags or breast pumps, please ensure that your supplies fit into the above clear backpack. You can have one backpack per individual in your group, as long as they abide by the above guidelines.
- If you are a member of the press, covering the event officially, and have equipment that will not fit into bags of the above dimensions: please contact the National Communications Team to get press credentials in advance in order for your equipment to be allowed into the rally site.
- If you require disability accommodations or related equipment, that will not fit into the above bags, please enter via the ADA Accessible route: 4th St. SW from C St. to Independence Ave. For anyone using Metro, please get off at Federal Center SW and use 4th St. to enter the rally area.
- Canes, walking sticks, walkers, and portable seats are allowed for individuals who require them for mobility and accessibility on a regular basis.
- Do not bring anything that can be construed as a weapon, including signage with any kind of handle (e.g. a sharpened wooden stick). We recommend also checking with your bus company if your bus will be secured during the march and if you can leave larger belongings in the bus, rather than carrying them all day.
Can we bring flags and banners?
Flags are allowed, but not on a pole. Posters and signs are allowed, but not with the use of wooden sign posts. Instead, we encourage people to use cardboard sign posts.
Can we bring folding chairs so we can take rests, and canes to walk with?
If you need the assistance of a cane please bring it. Folding chairs are not permitted. If there are specific medical needs that you cannot have met with regular accommodation, we will have a limited seated section for people who need seating. We will give more information on this in the next week.
TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE MARCH
Buses to DC will arrive and depart from the RFK stadium parking lots by Stadium Armory metro station.
For detailed information about transportation from RFK stadium to the march, march information and DC information, go to the Illinois Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wmwillinois and https://www.womensmarch.com.
LEAVING DC FOR EVANSTON AFTER THE MARCH
Our buses are scheduled to leave at 9 p.m. on Saturday. You should return to our staging area by 8:30 p.m. YOU MUST BE BACK TO OUR STAGING AREA NO LESS THAN 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO OUR DEPARTURE TIME so that we are able to board the buses and leave by 9 p.m. sharp. We will leave at this departure time irregardless of whether or not all riders are back on the bus.
MERCH, ETC
- Commemorative Evanston Scarves. We have fleece scarves for sale (at cost) for $6 each. Just bring $6 (cash, exact change) to the bus on Friday. (See picture above)
- Pussy Hats. We’re hoping every rider who wants one will get aFREE Pussyhat, all generously knitted and donated by Evanston volunteers.
- Pocket Constitutions. Rider Joan Ducayet has generously donated a quantity of pocket constitutions in honor of her mom. First come, first served.
- Donated food and drink. We will have snacks and bottled water available on the buses, all generously donated.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS COMMITTED THEIR TIME AND ENERGY TO JOINING AS A COMMUNITY TO RIDE, STAND, AND MARCH AGAINST SEXISM, BIGOTRY AND HATE AND FOR THE EVANSTON IDEAL OF INCLUSION AND EQUITY (with much work to be done right here to make that ideal … real).
Please continue to check our UPDATES page http://wmwevanston.weebly.com/updates.html on our website for any new and additional information about our journey. We also encourage you to regularly check the national WMW pagehttps://www.womensmarch.com for updates from about the march itself.
Your faithful organizers,
Kathleen, Nina and Evan
January 13, 2017
JUST ONE WEEK UNTIL WE TAKE OUR HISTORIC JOURNEY TOGETHER!!
Check out this fantastic new informational video from the Women's March on Washington organization:
www.facebook.com/womensmarchonwash/videos/vb.1338822066131069/1401849963161612/?type=2&theater
January 11, 2017
TAKE A MOMENT TO READ THE FAQ PAGE ON THE OFFICIAL WOMEN'S MARCH ON WASHINGTON WEBSITE.
This is the best place to get all of your questions answered about the logistics related to the March.
The link can be found here: www.womensmarch.com/faq
PLEASE NOTE: There are now bag restrictions in place for the event. No backpacks are allowed and there are size limitations on the bags you are permitted to carry. PLEASE GO TO THE WEBSITE AND READ THE GUIDELINES.
January 9. 2017
SEAT SALES AND TRANSFERS
In response to requests that continue to come in for seats, as well as emails informing us that registered riders have seats to sell, we have set up a message board on our website so that people can post seat requests and seat for sale that can be found here: http://wmwevanston.weebly.com/seat-exchange.html
Please use this message board ONLY if you have a seat to sell or are looking to buy another seat. If you are posting on this page, be sure to include your name and contact information. Seats should only be sold for the designated face value, our seat cost of $164. For those of you selling seats, once your transaction is complete, follow these instructions from Rally Bus for transferring your seat to a new passenger:
1) Log into your account
2) Click on VIEW DETAILS by your Booking
3) Use the I would like to transfer this booking link
Finally, please email us at [email protected] so that we can keep our roster up to date. Thank you!
Please note; We are not seat brokers nor do we have the capacity or desire to facilitate transactions between riders. We do not guarantee that by posting on this page that you will be able to sell or buy a seat. This is just one way to make that happen. We encourage you to pursue other means of acquiring or transferring seats, such as talking to friends and posting on social media.
RALLY BUS APP
Rally Bus has created an app that allows you to access information about your reservation, our trip and the buses we will be taking. To down load it on your phone you will need to follow this link: http://rallybus.net/Apps
REGISTRATION
Based on recommendations from Rally Bus, we may need to change our registration procedures from the the process described in our previous email. We will be getting more information from Rally Bus this week regarding this matter. Before our departure date, we will be sending an email specifically about bus boarding procedures so stay tuned. Also, don't forget to check our UPDATES (http://wmwevanston.weebly.com/updates.html) and FAQ (http://wmwevanston.weebly.com/faq.htm)l pages on the website for the latest information.
SCARVES
We will be selling specially designed EVANSTON WOMEN'S MARCH on WASHINGTON scarves at cost to anyone who would like to have one, although we will be offering them to you first, on the the day we depart. They will be $6 each, cash, exact change appreciated. They are black fleece scarves with a pink and white embroidered design, perfectly suited to match our pussyhats. See photo at the top of the page.
January 2, 2017
Here's some helpful information related to the March.
Wondering what to wear? Read this www.wardrobeoxygen.com/2016/12/what-to-wear-to-a-protest-march.html
Buy your DC $10 Metro SmarTrip Card NOW so there is time to mail it to you before the WMW. This way you will avoid long lines at the train station. https://smartrip.wmata.com/Storefront We have been told $10 is enough to cover the metro trip to and from the March/Rallybus points.
Here’s the latest article on the March: Planned Parenthood, Gloria Steinem, And Harry Belafonte Join Women's March On Washington Leadership - BuzzFeed News
December 27, 2016
Check out this great article with all the latest news about the March.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/27/womens-march-on-washington-dc-guide
December 24, 2016
Today is the Rally Bus deadline for cancellations. Refunds will no longer be granted after today and we are no longer accepting names for a waitlist as Rally Bus registration is officially closed. If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]
December 15, 2016
BUSES ARE SOLD OUT!
There are no seats available. We have filled four buses to capacity. Should we get any cancellations, we will inform people on the waitlist in the order that we have received requests. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email us at [email protected] or contact us via the contact page of this website wmwevanston.weebly.com/contact.html. Rally Bus allows cancellations until December 24th.
December 12, 2016
PARKING UPDATE
ETHS has assigned us to parking lot #1, the large lot located at the back of the school with entrances on Church and Lake Streets. For those of you planning to park your cars, this is the only lot in which you are permitted to park. This is also where we will load and unload our buses.
Please note, ETHS is not responsible for damage to or theft of their vehicles.
For those leaving their cars at ETHS over the weekend, you must complete the ETHS required overnight parking request form. This form can be accessed, filled out, and submitted here: docs.google.com/a/eths202.org/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqOHUhpISdt9QMJoOQNGEkPpvhU4HSt-51ciq34SVAI-1E3A/viewform. If you do not complete this form you will not be permitted to park at the school and run the risk being towed if you do.
December 9, 2016
The latest information about the march:
www.washingtonpost.com/local/none-of-the-inauguration-protests-have-their-proper-permits-yet-heres-why/2016/12/08/82ba757e-bbc6-11e6-91ee-1adddfe36cbe_story.html?utm_term=.aad736ea77e9
December 6, 2016
Evanston Rallybus riders:
Greetings from Evanston WMW. We have important information to share with you about RIDER PRICING, the RALLYBUS CANCELLATION DATE and TRIP LOGISTICS.
We appreciate in advance your understanding that this journey to WMW is a new venture for all of us, including your faithful organizers. Hiccups may occur, but we promise to communicate to you immediately on critical information you need to know.
By the way, in terms of bus travel logistics and protocol – prepare as you would if you were a Rider on a Greyhound Bus. We will be posting an FAQ on our website in a few days with further details.
READ THIS:
1. Pricing has changed: The Rallybus seat will be $164 per rider for a full bus. This is because Rallybus underpriced their buses from Illinois and has informed us that they raised the seat minimum. We apologize for this change in price. Please understand that this is new information for us, too, and we will continue to do our best to provide you with the latest news as soon as possible. Note: This price change does not impact riders requesting financial assistance for the seat WMW Evanston has confirmed to purchase.
2. The new cancellation date from Rallybus is 12/24. Please cancel ASAP (NOW) if you know you will not be taking the bus. if you think you may cancel, please do not wait until the last minute as the number of seats sold will set the final seat price.
3. We will be updating our materials as best we can to inform riders about this information
4. Trip Logistics (FAQ): We are fielding logistical questions about the bus trip and we will be posting an FAQ page on our website that may answer your questions. This will be up soon. Please regularly check our website out: http://wmwevanston.weebly.com
We sincerely hope this change will not keep any of you from attending. Please contact us at [email protected] for further discussion.
December 3, 2016
We encourage everyone who is signed up for our buses to register individually on the
Women's March On Washington event page so that you can receive updates about the March.
Here's the link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/womens-march-on-washington-official-tickets-29428287801