Title
Resolution to Approve Street Closings for the Little Amal - The Walk on Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 7:00 PM until 8:00 PM
Memorandum
Attached for your consideration is a resolution to approve the closing of Fifth Avenue from the Kerrytown Market on Fifth and Catherine to the Ann Arbor District Library at Library Lane and Fifth Avenue. This March is an international human rights event which brings awareness to the plight of refugees.
Little Amal is a 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl who has traveled across 13 countries meeting more than a million people. This fall, between 7 September and 5 November 2023, she will journey 6,000 miles across the United States in one of the largest free public festivals ever created. More than 35 towns and cities from Boston to San Diego and 1,000+ artists and arts organizations will create 100+ events to welcome her. Amal's journeys of art and hope celebrate the rich stories of refugees, immigrants and displaced people, and the communities that welcome them. Everyone is welcome to walk with Amal.
The streets are not barricaded for this event as City Police will serve as escorts for this March and the streets are immediately accessible as the participants progress. The street will be closed as needed from 7:00 PM until 8:00 PM. This approach is identical to the one used for the Take Back the Night event.
City staff is aware that this event occurs on the University of Michigan Homecoming Game. City Police have agreed to staff this event on the condition that it starts at 7:00 PM to allow them to be able handle the flow of football traffic at the end of the game and to allow the officers to get to the location in time to safely escort the participants.
The applicant, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, agrees to comply with all City regulations governing the use of the streets and will reimburse the City for all event expenses.
Notification will occur through the City's website and GovDelivery a...
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