This is a lot of information and it’s long, but there are some really useful tips here about parking, chairs, and lots of other things.  It’s from the host of Families Belong Together.

Hello everyone! This will be our final post before our Sacramento Families Belong Together rally tomorrow. Please read carefully for information on time and location, parking, bathrooms, and more.

First of all, YES THIS EVENT IS HAPPENING and it is in SACRAMENTO at the Immigration & Customs Building at 650 Capitol Mall. Our rally joins more than 600 events nationwide, and you are part of over half a million people who are coming together tomorrow to say that we will not stand by silently.

This is a peaceful rally in front of the federal building that houses ICE. While the building will be mostly empty on a Saturday, we understand the risk and anxiety system-impacted people may feel. Please be aware we have volunteer peacekeepers (not law enforcement) to marshall the crowd for everyone’s safety and protection.

Restrooms
There will not be restrooms provided. The closest bathroom location is Old Soul Coffee at 555 Capitol Mall one block away. They will likely be very busy and will require a purchase to use their facilities, so please plan accordingly. The closest public bathrooms are at the downtown mall at 5th and L streets.

Parking
There is no free parking in the vicinity of the rally.
Most on-street parking around the rally location is metered 2-hour parking. You will need to pay to use this parking.
You can use this interactive map to see exactly where there is on-street parking nearby: https://www.cityofsacramento.org/Public-Works/Parking-Services/Parking-Map
The closest city parking lot is 7th and L. There are also lots at 2nd & N and 2nd & O.
The closest city parking garages are at Capitol garage (10th & L) and Fremont Mews (14th & P)
You can find detailed information on city lots and garages, including fees, here: https://www.cityofsacramento. org/Public-Works/Parking- Services/Lots-and-Garages/ Rates
The closest private garages are 520 Capitol Mall Parking Garage, the mall parking garage at L & 4th, and AMB parking (7th & O).

Public Transportation
Light rail: The closest stops are 8th & Capitol, 7th & Capitol, and 8th & O.
Bus: The 2, 6, 11, 12, 14, 15, 30, 34, 38, and 51 lines have stops near the rally location.

ADA Accessibility
This rally is on the ground level with ramps at corners. There will not be shade or seating provided. Anyone may feel free to bring their own chairs or blankets.

Translation
We will have translators for several spoken languages available. Please check in at the volunteer table if you are in need of translation services, and we will do our best to connect you with a translator. We are still seeking a volunteer ASL interpreter, so please let us know if you are able to interpret.

First Aid
It will be HOT. Its expected to reach 102 degrees. We are hopeful for a cooler morning, but please plan accordingly. Bring water and snacks. We will have a first aid tent with limited water available in the event someone has any issues. WATER DONATIONS ENCOURAGED

Media and Social Media
Please direct any media people you see to the media check-in tent, so that we can connect them directly with spokespeople to help elevate the voices of directly impacted people as much as possible.
For social media, please use one or more of the following hashtags, so you can be a part of the larger movement: #FamiliesBelongTogether #FamiliesTogetherAndFree #FreedomForFamilies #ReunifyFamiliesNow #EndFamilyDetention #NoBanNoWall #FamiliesFirst

Signs
Signs are allowed and encouraged. There will be limited sign making materials available if you would like to arrive early to make a sign, and there will also be pre-made signs that can be used. We will also provide printed 8×11″ sheets of paper that say “Si, me importa! Yes, I care!” and have chants on the opposite side. We will have 2,000 copies of those available with limited safety pins if you would like to attach it to your shirt. The California Endowment for Women has also donated signs that say “End Immigrant Jails.”

What to bring
*Wear WHITE! this is the color people around the nation will be wearing to these rallies.
*Bring water and or small snacks
*Bring chairs or blankets to sit, if you would like to.
*It will be hot, so wear sunscreen if possible

THIS IS A FAMILY EVENT – we will have limited supplies of chalk for children to arrive early or stay after the event to write support messages to children and families impacted by our immigration system. CHALK DONATIONS ENCOURAGED

This is a rally, not a march. We will have a line-up of speakers. We are uplifting the voices of system-impacted people and families who will share their stories, faith leaders in our community who are tired of their teachings being used to justify the abhorrent treatment of people by our immigration system, and organizations within our community who are actively working to support and help migrants every day. We will release a line up of those organizations Friday. This is a grassroots event, organized by community members just like yourselves. While this is a national day of action, we are not given any money by those organization and have reached out to the community to support and form this event. We thank all who have volunteered, donated and provided support.

Our message remains clear and consistent – NO BAN! NO WALL! NO SEPARATING CHILDREN! NO FAMILY DETENTION! REUNITE FAMILIES NOW!

People need to be held accountable for ripping thousands of kids from their parents, still with no plan to reunify them. The news about a pause in DHS referring parents for prosecution untll they can increase the family detention centers seems to be a real victory — but it is temporary, and we can’t forget about the kids already separated and still in detention.

We DEMAND:

• Permanently end the separation of children and families by the Trump administration — immediately and permanently reversing the zero-tolerance policy which created this crisis
• Reunite every single family that remains brutally torn apart — and prove it
• Permanently end the indefinite detention of children & families
• Accountability for the abusers responsible for this horror

Together, we’re guiding a surge of energy into meaningful action to help these families and end the crisis.

– Elena & Dennessa