Internal memo sent out about Sacramento Ministerial

Sent: Monday, June 09, 2003 16:53 Subject: Agriculture Conference expected to draw 10,000
Agriculture Conference expected to draw 10,000 protestors 23-25 June

District headquarters operations will be affected

Protestors will assemble on J Street

This message affects you personally. Please read it carefully

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is holding an international agriculture exposition at the Sacramento Convention Center, 23 through 25 June. Representatives from up to 180 countries will attend, and law enforcement officials expect as many as 10,000 demonstrators to protest the conference. The protestors have a city permit to assemble on L Street at Capitol Park. Protestors may gather on J Street between 13th and 14th.

Local police and Federal Protective Service officers will provide police protection for the 1325 J Street building.

With even a few demonstrators on J Street in front of our building, getting into and out of the building will be difficult at best, and perhaps impossible.

Your safety is our first concern. We have been and will continue to meet with local, state, and federal law enforcement officials to develop plans to deal with every possible situation expected by the police. We'll make sure everyone has and understands the plans by 16 June.

There will be a large police presence during the demonstrations, and they are prepared to respond quickly. That response could include teargas and riot agents. Because these agents are heavier than air, they will not get into our building's air conditioning system.

Expect major traffic congestion, and expect authorities to close streets without notice. We already know that the police will close 13th Street between I and L Streets and 14th Street between I and J Streets. We will still have access to our parking garage.

There will be no parking on J Street between 12th and 15th Streets, no parking on 13th between I and L, no parking on 14th between I and J, no parking south of the convention center, and no parking on 15th between J and L. This may all change as the police get additional information.

Some of the options we're looking at include a liberal leave policy, encouraging people to telecommute, and asking people to plan their out-of-town TDY while the conference is under way. If necessary, we'll close down the district headquarters, move to an alternate site, or take some other actions. These are just some of the options we're considering.

There are some things you can do right now to get ready for potential disruption 23-25 June:

1. Don't schedule meetings, visits or conferences at district headquarters.

2. Cancel or reschedule any meetings on your calendar.

3. Avoid scheduling any outside deliveries, such as supplies, to the building.

4. Field office staff should avoid visiting district headquarters.

5. Plan to use the 14th Street LaBou hallway to enter and leave the building (the front entrance will be for emergency use only).

6. Telecommuting is encouraged for everyone who has the capability (IMO will conduct training on Web desk and other telecommute features 19 June).

Plan to be flexible. Your first priority is to keep yourself and those around you safe.

Please share this message with everyone in your office who may not have read it.


More to follow,

Lieutenant Colonel Mark Connelly


http://www.spk.usace.army.mil/ engineers