Warden Messages
16 February 2006
Warden Message from U.S. Embassy London
On Saturday, 18 February 2006, a large march/rally is expected to begin at Trafalgar Square and end with a rally in Hyde Park. The Metropolitan Police of London estimate about 20,000 participants. The march/rally has been planned by various Muslim groups in the United Kingdom in protest after the recent re-publication of the cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad.
The various groups plan to first assemble at Trafalgar Square at 10:30am, then proceed to Hyde Park at 1:00pm. The march route is:
Trafalgar Square
Cotspur Street
Pall Mall
Lower Regent Street
Piccadilly
Park Lane
Cumberland Gate
Hyde Park
While this march/rally will be well policed, road closures are planned and significant traffic disruptions are expected near the march route. If you have plans to visit London, exercise common sense combined with personal safety measures.
As always, we remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at travel.state.gov. The U.S. Embassy in London also maintains a website at london.usembassy.gov.
In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
You may also reach the U.S. Embassy in London at (020) 7499-9000 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. GMT.
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