About the Event
Faith Group Meet-Ups and Local Events
The Moment
We in the faith community can no longer stand by as our broken immigration system rips apart families and anger, frustration and misunderstanding about immigration law and our immigrant brothers and sisters divide our communities.
On March 21, in coordination with the Ecumenical Advocacy Days Conference, tens of thousands of people will gather on the National Mall to send a powerful message to President Obama and to Congress: The time to fix our broken immigration system is now. People of faith will join with tens of thousands of others who support immigrants and their families in the March for America: Change Takes Courage and Faith. The moral urgency of repairing the broken immigration system can only be seen in a dramatic display of unity among supporters of comprehensive immigration reform as gather in DC from all across the United States.
Throughout 2009, people of faith have been hosting prayer vigils and potluck suppers, meeting with members of Congress in their home districts, creating networks with other faith groups, labor groups, and businesses, building the historic movement for just and humane immigration reform. People of faith have been building this movement in order to meet the fierce urgency of this moment with bold, faithful action. We stand on the edge of making history and now is not the time to step back, give up, or let down. Now is the time to move ahead stronger than we ever have.
Now is the time to recruit as many people as we possibly can in our home faith communities to come to Washington DC on March 21. Now is the time to make history, to make our voices heard in the White House and on Capitol Hill, and to see just and humane immigration reform finally enacted. Now is the time to March for America because we well know that Changes Takes Courage and Faith. Please help us bring tens of thousands of people to Washington to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Click here to register and tell your friends!
Faith Group Meetups and Local Events
Some faith groups and denominations are organizing meetups before the March. Use this link to search for a meetup for your group … or volunteer to organize one yourself!
If your local congregation or immigrant advocacy group is planning an event to show solidarity with the marchers in DC, please register that event as well. Download our memo on how to organize a solidarity event.
Logistics
The march is March 21, 2010 on the national mall Washington, DC from 2-5 PM.
Interfaith prayer service on the national mall will begin at 1 PM.
Transportation
CHARTERED BUSES
A number of faith organizations are pooling their resources to provide bus transportation to the rally on March 21. See the list below for a location near you. If you don’t see a location near you listed and would like to organize a busload of people to come to the rally from your community, contact us at info@changetakesfaith.org, and we’ll see what we can do to help!
Columbia, South Carolina: ajackson@churchworldservice.org
Columbus, Ohio: gbauman@churchworldservice.org
Minneapolis, MN jguttermann@churchworldservice.org
Our partners at Reform Immigration FOR America are coordinating buses from many other locations across the country. Register on their site to request a seat.
OTHER TRANSPORTATION TO DC
As one of the country’s most accessible cities, Washington, D.C. is served by three major airports (Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Reagan National Airport, and Dulles International Airport), Amtrak, and a first-rate METRO system. Want to save energy, but Amtrak isn’t an option? Try Greyhound or another bus line if you’re on the East coast.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Once you make it to the nation’s capital it is time to find your way around. In order to remain consistent with our value of being good stewards of the environment and resources, Sojourners encourages you to use public transportation when traveling into, out of, and around D.C.
Each of the three major airports that serve Washington, D.C. (Baltimore-Washington International, Reagan National, and Dulles International) and the Amtrak rail stop at Union Station have connections to the city’s transit system. Also, numerous taxis and airport shuttles are also available to whisk you to your hotel and the convention site as well.
D.C. has a great public transportation system, especially the Metro system, so getting from the airport to downtown and then around D.C. is relatively easy. Check out the webpage of the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority ahead of time for fares, maps, list of stations, etc., to give you a head start (http://www.wmata.com). Washington, D.C. also has plenty of buses and taxis to help you get around the city.
Accommodations
It is each participant’s responsibility to reserve his or her own room. We are pleased to provide you with a list of alternative housing options. If cost is an issue, then you may want to consider one of the following options. Note that March is a busy time for travel to Washington, DC, so be sure to secure your housing as early as possible.
PLEASE NOTE: All listed options are operated independently of all participating organizations and all details are subject to change. To get the most up-to-date information, please contact the housing facilities directly.
CHURCHES
Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church
900 Massachusetts Ave NW.
They have showers there. Newly renovated. 20 people on carpeted floors. $10/person/night. Need a church rep. present for entrance and exit. Paul Nixon from Epicenter recommended.
Contact:
Chris Weathers
(202) 347-9620
1226 Vermont Ave NW
Cannot not accommodate anyone on the night of March 20th.
Space is available for the night of the 21st
Must make reservations soon; $30/person
Contact: Sarah Rossing
Phone: 202-667-1377, ext. 205
First Trinity Lutheran Church
309 East St. NW Washington DC 20001
Contact person is Kathy (202) 628-4819
Night of March 20th: 20 spots available
Night of March 21st: 50 spots available
Showers and kitchens are located on site
Website: www.firsttrinitydc.org
Rates: $25 for groups 5-10; $20 for groups 11-20; $15 for groups of 21 or more.
Church of the Pilgrims
Reservations must be made by phone: 202-387-6615
We have some potential availability (25 beds) for the nights you are inquiring about. We do have showers and a kitchen. The cost is $31 per person/night.
Contact:
Matt Boote
Pilgrimage Program Manager
2201 P Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
202-387-6615
pilgrimage.manager@verizon.net
Shalom Place
(St Lukes UMC DC)– hosts groups of 10-24. $30/person/night. Retreat center facility in Glover Park. Left msg to inquire about availability on 3/21.
Contact:
Derek: office@stlukesmethodist.org
Reservations must be made by phone: (202) 333 4949
More info: http://www.shalomplacedc.org/Reservations.html
St. Stevens Episcopal Church
1525 Newton Street NW
Washington, DC 20010
Phone: (202)232-0900
Visitors are welcomed for the night, please complete the form at the bottom of the page: http://saintstephensdc.org/Sleeping_Info.html#SleepForm
$5/person/night. No onsite showers or kitchens are, meals are available at $4 from the soup kitchen. Space available for about 500.
Contact
Brian Best
Parish Administrator
St. Stephen & the Incarnation Episcopal Church
1525 Newton Street NW
Washington, DC 20010
202-232-0900
www.saintstephensdc.org
Office Hours: Mondays, Wednesday mornings, Thursdays, and Fridays
HOTELS AND HOSTELS
While hotels may offer a more comfortable stay, hostels may prove the best option for groups on a budget. The hostels in Washington, D.C., vary significantly in size and tone – care must be taken to find exactly what you are looking for.
http://www.hostelhandbook.com/
http://www.hostels.com/en/us.dc.html
http://www.hostelusa.com/
Some available hostels, churches, and student centers:
Adams Inn
1744 Lanier Place
Washington, DC
Tel: 202-745-3600
Web: www.adamsinn.com
25 rooms total
Ask Anne Owens, manager, for the group rate.
Alexandria Guesthouse
in Alexandria, VA
bus to metro (call for address)
(reservations required)
Alexandria, VA 22306
Tel: 703-768-0335
Fax: 703-768-3384
Email: info@americanguesthouse.com
No. of rooms: 4
Arlington Guest House
in Arlington, VA
walking distance to metro. Reservations are required. Call for address.
Arlington, VA 22202
Tel: 703-768-0335
Fax: 703-768-3384
Email: info@americanguesthouse.com
www.americanguesthouse.com
No. of beds: 15
Bragg Towers
Alexandria, VA
(703) 354-6300
Located 15-20 minutes from downtown
Braxton Hotel
1440 Rhode Island Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20005
ask for John Chon for special rates
Tel: 1-800-350-5759 or 202-232-7800
Fax: 202-265-3725
Email: reservation@braxtonhotel.com
Located 5 blocks from Dupont Circle metro
No. of rooms: 40
Center for Educational Design
821 Varnum St., NE
Washington, DC 20017
Tel: 202-635-7987
21 beds, dorm style
Groups of 6-plus only, with 1 representative – no individual billings
15-20 minute walk to metro
Centro Maria Residence
650 Jackson St., NE
Washington, DC 20017
Tel: 202-635-1697
12 rooms
located 3 blocks from metro near Catholic University
Davis House
1822 R. St., NW
Washington, DC 20009
Tel: 202-232-3196
located 3 blocks from Dupont Circle metro
11 beds. Preference to Quakers.
First Trinity Lutheran
4th and E. Sts., NW
Washington, DC 20001
Tel: 202-737-4859
50 matresses
Groups of 10-plus only, with 1 representative
Located across the street from Judiciary Square metro
Folger House
634 East Capitol St.
Washington, DC
Tel: 202-544-4315
Fax:202-547-7270
located 6 blocks from Capitol
about 12 beds
GLOBOSapiens
GLOBOSapiens is a travelers’ community site that is a great place to start for affordable accommodation in Washington, D.C.
This hotel, The Gallery Inn, is especially helpful for larger groups. Situated at Dupont Circle, the hotel is a five-minute walk from the Metro station and in a lively neighborhood.
Web: http://www.globosapiens.net/hostel_washington-dc_gallery-inn-hotel_21986.html
Hilltop Hostel
300 Carroll Street NW
Washington, DC 20012
Tel: 202-291-1195
Email: rigsbie@hotmail.com
Web: www.dchostel.com
dorm style
Located 50 meters from Takoma Park metro – ten minute ride to downtown
Hostelling International-Washington, D.C.
1009 11th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Tel: 202-737-2333
Fax: 202-737-1508
No. of beds: 261
Kalorama Guest House
1854 Mintwood Place, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Located in Adams Morgan neighborhood with 12 minute walk to metro
The Pilgrimage
22nd and P. Sts., NW
Washington, DC 20037
Tel: 202-387-6615
40 beds, dormitory style with kitchen – groups of 6 plus accepted.
Located 3 blocks from Dupont Circle metro
Washington (College Park)
Norwich House
P.O. Box 283
Washington (College Park), MD 20741
Email: lodging@studentcenter.org
Reservations are required. This hostel offers free internet access
Washington International Student Center
800-567-4150
2451 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Tel: 202-667-7681
Email: DCStudentCenter@aol.com
Web: http://www.dchostel.com/
No. of beds: 40
Free Transport From Bus and Amtrak Station. Close to downtown DC. Internet Access. Kitchen, Lockers, Free breakfast. Free Parking. Near Bus and Metro. No Curfew.
William Penn House
515 E. Capitol St., SE
Washington, DC 20003
Tel: 202-543-5560
32 beds plus cots
located 5 blocks from the Capitol
7 minute walk to metro
WPH is a lodging house for peace and justice workers staying in the DC area. Space is limited, so book early.
Web: http://www.williampennhouse.org/lodging.php
Windsor Inn
1842 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Tel: 1-800-423-9111 or 202-667-0300
Located 6 blocks from Dupont Circle metro
Woodley Park Guest House
2647 Woodley Rd., NW
Washington, D.C.
Tel: 202-667-0218 or 1-866-667-0218
Web: www.woodleyparkguesthouse.com
17 rooms.
Owner: Laura Saba
CouchSurfing
A standard for budget travelers the world over, CouchSurfing is a great way to see a city, make new friends, witness rare hospitality and stay in a great place for free. The site details how CouchSurfing works, outlines safety procedures, and puts you in touch with D.C. residents willing to open parts of their homes– floors, spare rooms, couches – to anyone who needs them.
Lobby Day
March 22, the day following the march, will be a lobby day for people of faith to meet with their Congressional offices and advocate for just, humane immigration reform.
Our partners at Ecumenical Advocacy Days are coordinating the lobby visits. If you would like to participate, please download and fill out this form and email it to lobbyday@advocacydays.org.
*If you have already registered for Ecumenical Advocacy Days you do not have to fill out this form again*
Ecumenical Advocacy Days is an annual gathering of Christians, but people of all faiths attending the March for America, are invited and encouraged to participate in the lobby day.
Our Partners
We’re happy to be partnering closely with Ecumenical Advocacy Days, whose participants this year will lobby on immigration and refugee issues and attend our vigil!
We are also glad to be working closely with Reform Immigration FOR America on putting together this massive march!
Contact
Please email us at info@changetakesfaith.org with any questions or concerns!