Warden Messages - Archive

(March 1, 2007) - Anti-Dal Molin Protests Planned in Vicenza on March 1, 2007

According to local authorities, two minor anti-Dal Molin protests are planned for March 1, 2007 in Vicenza, Italy. The protests are planned in response to the Italian government’s recent approval of an expanded U.S. military presence in Vicenza, a city in northeast Italy. Local law enforcement estimates that 100 to 300 people will participate. Although violence is not expected, some of the groups who may participate in the protest have been disruptive in the past.

At 1730 on March 1, an anti-Dal Molin protest is planned in Piazza dei Signori during the city council meeting. At approximately 2000 hours on March 1, a sit-in is planned on Viale Della Pace across from Gate 2, Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy. The sit-in is expected to last until midnight. Protestors will likely attempt to disrupt vehicle traffic, and they are expected to be noisy, banging pots and pans in an effort to attract attention. No violence is expected.

U.S. citizens are advised to avoid Vicenza’s town center and military base areas on March 1, and should monitor local media for updated information on the planned demonstration. We wish to 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 web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The U.S. Embassy Consular Section in Rome is located at Via Vittorio Veneto, 121. The telephone number is 06-4674-1. Our website is: italy.usembassy.gov

U.S. Consulates in Italy are located in:
MILAN: Via Principe Amedeo, 2/10; telephone number: 02-290-351
FLORENCE: Lungarno A. Vespucci, 8; telephone number: 055-266-951
NAPLES: Piazza della Repubblica; telephone number: 081-583-8111

U.S. Consular Agents in Italy are located in:
GENOA: Via Dante, 2
PALERMO: Via Vaccarini, 1
VENICE: Marco Polo Airport, General Aviation Terminal, Viale Galileo Galilei, 30