Ellery Schempp is speaking Friday night. Barbara Ehrenreich is speaking Saturday night.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, one of the principal sponsors of the historic March 24 Reason Rally in Washington, D.C., will be sandwiching the Saturday rally, expected to be the largest gathering of the secular movement in world history, between two special dinner parties.
The first major rally on the National Mall for seculars, atheists and agnostics is sponsored by 17 secular groups, including FFRF, and takes place Saturday, March 24 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Speakers include The God Delusion author Richard Dawkins, Adam Savage of Discovery Channel’s "Mythbusters," teenage state/church litigant Jessica Ahlquist, James Randi and a host of freethinking activists, authors and musicians, including FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor. Dan will be debuting a new song, “Reason,” as part of his concert and remarks.
Sign up now for FFRF’s Pre-Reason Rally Dinner Party, Friday night, March 23 at the Phoenix Park Hotel, 520 N. Capitol St., N.W., Washington, D.C. Dan Barker, the “Friendly Neighborhood Atheist Songwriter,” will sing for his supper. Distinguished Ellery Schempp, a powerful speaker, will speak on “The Real Assault Against Religious Liberty.” Schempp, a Lifetime FFRF member, was the catalyst as a teenager for the Supreme Court decision, Abington v. Schempp, ending bible reading and devotionals in public schools in 1963. The event begins with check-in and a social hour at 5:30 p.m., with a modestly-priced catered dinner served at 6:30 p.m. Seating is limited. Please register now (click here to register) to avoid disappointment (reservations must be received no later than Fri., March 16).
Then you are invited to conclude Saturday, March 24, with FFRF’s Post-Reason Rally Dinner Gala, around the corner at the Washington Court Hotel, 525 New Jersey Ave NW, featuring as FFRF’s exclusive guest Barbara Ehrenreich: atheist, feminist, former TIME columnist, prolific author and social critic. Check-in and a social hour begins at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m., followed by Ms. Ehrenreich’s acceptance speech. She will sign books after receiving FFRF’s Emperor Has No Clothes Award, a golden statuette made for FFRF by the company that manufactures the Oscars, reserved for public figures who make known their dissent from religion. Please sign up now (click here to register) to avoid disappointment (seating is still open, registration closes Fri., March 16).
Please no walk-ins. FFRF must order and prepay for both dinners, and provide counts in advance.
PLAN ACCOMMODATIONS NOW!
FFRF has reserved a modest block of rooms at both hotels, which are basically around the corner from each other, a few blocks from the Capitol and across the street from Union Station. The Phoenix Park Hotel, 520 N. Capitol St., N.W., is holding rooms while they last through at least Thursday, Feb. 23 for $139 plus tax for a single or double. Phone 800-824-5419 or make reservations at 202-638-6900 mentioning FFRF. Use this link to register online: https://reservations.ihotelier.com/crs/g_reservation.cfm?groupID=730563&hotelID=75979
Washington Court Hotel, 525 New Jersey Ave., NW, is also holding rooms at $139 for a single or double plus tax, while they last, through Monday, Feb. 27. Phone 1-800-321-3010 or 202-628-2100 and mention “FFRF.”
Please contact FFRF during office hours central time at 1-608-256-8900 if you have trouble reserving rooms. The hotels may be able to open up their blocks if FFRF is notified promptly of vacancy problems, FFRF encourages you make your reservations now.
MEET UP WITH FFRF ON THE MALL!
Early-birds wishing to walk over to the National Mall with FFRF staffers can meet up at 9:30 a.m. in the lobby of the Phoenix Park Hotel, 520 N Capitol St. NW, on Saturday, March 24. Music begins at 10 a.m. and the rally opens at 11 a.m.
Look for FFRF, its staff and volunteers and its 20-foot booth inside the tent by the stage on the National Mall, with other sponsoring groups. Come find us, get your ready-made FFRF signature placards, clothing decals, enjoy interactives, and participate in a free drawing to win free money (all pre-In ‘God We Trust,’ with prizes of $100 to $1 bills for lucky winners). FFRF’s staff will include: Co-Presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF attorney Andrew Seidel (ingenious creator of FFRF’s ‘natural nativity’ protest tableau), office manager Jackie Douglas and executive assistant Katie Daniel. Freebie souvenirs will be available. Books, pins and bumperstickers will be on sale along with freebies. FFRF plans a few fun surprises for Reason Rally visitors.
Order a souvenir Reason Rally t-shirt, hoodie or hat directly from the Reason Rally website: http://www.reasonrallystore.org/. The National Park Service bars sale of apparel on the National Mall, so make your purchase before you go.
Or plan ahead to purchase one of FFRF’s distinctive T-shirts identifying yourself as a secular, including “Friendly Neighborhood Atheist,” “Godless,” “Militant Agnostic,” “Freethinker,” “Godless Goddess” or “This is What an Atheist Looks Like.” (Shop FFRF here.)
For more information, including menus, prices, etc. visit: http://ffrf.org/outreach/reasonrally/