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NY Times African News Feed Below:
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NEW YORK’S THIRD ANNUAL AFRICAN UNION DAY CELEBRATION
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 12:00pm-8:00pm
The
African Union Day Celebration is free to all spectators! African Union Day Celebration 2008
Below is a general rundown of information for you and your group's members. Check back here for updated information.
CELEBRATION DATE: Tuesday, September 9, 2008
PARTICIPANTS ASSEMBLY TIME: 11:30- 12:00pm
Ancestors Drum Salute: 12:30- 1:00
WHERE TO GO: African Burial Ground Monument (Center & Worth Streets)
MARCH STARTS: 1:00pm sharp from The African Burial Ground Monument (Foley Square).
Flags: 3 flags, United States, African Union and the African Union Day Foundation’s flags.
SPECTATORS: The views are great all along the celebration route! See the parking directions below.
MARCHERS: will assemble at the African Burial Ground (Center and Worth Streets. We strongly recommend you use public transportation. Numbers 4, 5, 6 & J, M and Z trains to Brooklyn Bridge Station. Please hold on to your children and discourage unruly behavior or language, avoid smoking, Listen to the Police officers for traffic directions and follow their recommendations in case of any emergency. Travel light and do not bring showy expensive items, Please respect start and ending times for all activities and enjoy yourself. No demonstration, rioting, fighting, racial or religious overtone. This event must be a forum of celebration, honor, education and the promotion of self-development.
HELPFUL HINTS FOR MARCHERS: When you arrive to the African Burial Ground Monument, immediately send your contact person to the check-in table near the Center Street sidewalk. We need to know you are present as soon as possible. The person checking in must be the same person that appears as the contact on the pre-registration form.
YOU SHOULD BE PRESENT NO LATER THAN 12:00pm AT THE TO BE OFFICIALLY COUNTED!! Entry Leaders may want to bring a tall flag or sign to help your group's members find each other and keep organized. In order to avoid being lost in a traffic jam, arrive no later than 12:00pm! Bring bottled water and sun block. Bring a picnic if you like.
ENTERTAINMENT EQUIPMENT. You should drop off any sound equipment, floats, props, instruments, or other paraphernalia with one of your group members at the designated area listed on your march program brochure.
TELEVISION: We will have a wide representation of television and print media covering this event. The New York walks are usually covered on all evening news and morning Network news programs, various other national (even international) outlets and television spots. Of course, your cameras are welcome.
ALONG THE ROUTE: You'll have plenty of time to interact with the crowd, but do not impede the walk's progress. As gaps in the march are less enjoyable for the crowd. You may hand out materials to the crowd, but please do not throw any items or objects at or to the audience, this includes food or otherwise. No protest signs or speeches are allowed. All questions and concerns should be directed to celebration organizers. Respect the theme of the celebration and dress appropriately.
ROUTE: As indicated earlier, the march travels southbound on Broadway towards Battery Park. It begins at the corner of Center and Worth Streets and travels Westward to Broadway.
WEATHER: Dress according to the weather report.
PRE-CELEBRATION MEETING: The pre-celebration gathering will take place at the African Burial Ground at 12:00pm. All organizers must be present for final instructions.
POST-CELEBRATION EVENTS: All activities will take place in the Battery Park. Countries’ representatives will set up Africa’s Tourism and Investment Opportunities Tables. Well known International entertainers will perform for at the Park.
Why African Union Day Celebration? New York City is the celebration capital of the world and it is the home to some of the most important organizations for Africa’s development, namely, the United Nations, African Union Diplomatic Mission, African Union Day Foundation and the African Diaspora. It is also the home to the Wall Street Financial Giants whose foreign investments must now include Africa. This celebration is an excellent exposure for Africa’s rich cultures and economic potentials.
Why African Union Day Celebration on the Lower Manhattan? Lower Manhattan is a place where African families used to be among the commodities traded, and now it is home to some of the most powerful African American traders, an important celebration-worthy milestone. It is also the site of historical African Burial Ground.
Why the walk? The walk shall symbolize the walking back home from a long painful journey. Walk of Reattachment to ones long lost homeland and families.
Expected outcome? A well developed United States of Africa that regains its historical position. A symbol of democracy, development, peace and a number one destination for investors and tourists.
CELEBRATION
PARTICIPANTS REMEMBER:
Prepared by: The African Union Day Foundation
2008 Westchester Avenue, Bronx, New York 10462
www.africanunionday.org, info@africanunionday.org 718- 829-2323, or 212-685-2848
In Memory... Of all the Founding Fathers of the OAU.
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