HKB
Ultimate Member
I have flexibility as long as I have a 48 hour heads up and I will be there as many times as it takes to be there.
25,000, That's a lot! The only way you will do it is by spreading the word outside this relatively small internet group.
Yesterday afternoon I was drinking beer at a local garage with a couple guys. Turns out they are gun owners and there pissed off about the proposed laws. I asked if they have done anything about it. 'No, what can we do?" they answered. I told them about the AGC email page and about this forum. I told them about the people who went to Annapolis the other day. They are not big internet users and had no idea how to channel their frustration with our state legislature.
To get 25000 you have to go recruiting.
Getting back to the OP...
The crowd on Feb. 6 overwhelmed the infrastructure. Parking was maxed out and the only way to get to the rally from a parking spot (if you were lucky enough to find one after the stadium lot filled up) was on foot.
Aiming for a larger turnout for the next two sessions is an admirable goal, but we need ideas for the logistical side of things. And given that monster rallies in Annapolis could be an annual thing, we should have effective transportation plans in place. Here are some thoughts to get the discussion going...
-- One or two people in a car is too few. Every car should be filled to capacity. Carpools can be set up in this forum, but that seems kind of hit or miss. Maybe some of our IT members can set up a separate site (that's not a forum) for connecting riders and drivers.
-- If someone has a connection to a bus company, maybe we can hire a bus (or multiple buses) to shuttle attendees from parking lots outside of Annapolis. I'd gladly pay cost++ for that service.
-- This isn't the best time of year for boating, but the Annapolis harbor is just two blocks from Lawyer's Mall. Boaters on the forum: you could pick up people at docks near the city and shuttle them to the harbor. Again, I'd gladly pay the captain. Plus, that would be a really cool way to get to the event.
-- How about people with vans picking up attendees from parking lots outside the city and dropping them off within walking distance of the rally (while avoiding traffic jams). Circle around and make several trips.
-- Is there a place within walking distance of the rally where bicycles can be locked up? If so, haul your bike on your car, park outside the city and pedal in.
-- Is there motorcycle parking within walking distance? Or maybe some of the local motorcycle dealers would be willing to let bikers park at their stores for the day (it'll be a cold weekday, so they probably wouldn't get much business anyway). Volunteers could shuttle attendees between dealers and the rally in cars or vans.
-- If you work in or near Annapolis, you have an intimate knowledge of parking strategies there. If there is a "secret" spot or two you know about, tell a friend. Or maybe you can talk your employer into letting a few rally attendees park in the company lot.
-- Moving large crowds into a city for a rally must be relatively common in other cities. How do other grassroots groups do it?
I posted above that I am willing to act as a shuttle service using my troop carrier:
Getting back to the OP...
The crowd on Feb. 6 overwhelmed the infrastructure. Parking was maxed out and the only way to get to the rally from a parking spot (if you were lucky enough to find one after the stadium lot filled up) was on foot.
-- One or two people in a car is too few. Every car should be filled to capacity. Carpools can be set up in this forum, but that seems kind of hit or miss. Maybe some of our IT members can set up a separate site (that's not a forum) for connecting riders and drivers.
-- If someone has a connection to a bus company, maybe we can hire a bus (or multiple buses) to shuttle attendees from parking lots outside of Annapolis. I'd gladly pay cost++ for that service.
-- How about people with vans picking up attendees from parking lots outside the city and dropping them off within walking distance of the rally (while avoiding traffic jams). Circle around and make several trips.
Getting back to the OP...
The crowd on Feb. 6 overwhelmed the infrastructure. Parking was maxed out and the only way to get to the rally from a parking spot (if you were lucky enough to find one after the stadium lot filled up) was on foot.
Aiming for a larger turnout for the next two sessions is an admirable goal, but we need ideas for the logistical side of things. And given that monster rallies in Annapolis could be an annual thing, we should have effective transportation plans in place. Here are some thoughts to get the discussion going...
-- One or two people in a car is too few. Every car should be filled to capacity. Carpools can be set up in this forum, but that seems kind of hit or miss. Maybe some of our IT members can set up a separate site (that's not a forum) for connecting riders and drivers.
-- If someone has a connection to a bus company, maybe we can hire a bus (or multiple buses) to shuttle attendees from parking lots outside of Annapolis. I'd gladly pay cost++ for that service.
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