Warden Messages - Archive

(july 2, 2009) Upcoming Demonstrations Regarding 4th of July and G8 Summit

American citizens are advised to be especially attentive and alert from now through the Fourth of July and the G-8 Summit in Italy.  Please exercise caution as you travel in Rome and around Italy.  Several demonstrations are planned over the next ten days that may affect U.S. interests or those of the G-8 countries.

On July 4, there will be a large demonstration at the U.S. military base in Vincenza.  The demonstration is organized by No Dal Molin and other groups.  American citizens should avoid the area around Vicenza for the period July 3-5.

On July 5-6, a torch-lit walk is planned through the center of L’Aquila from 24.00 to 03.32 (time of the recent earthquake).  This event is expected to be peaceful.

On July 7, there will be a large demonstration in Piazza Barberini (the Metro station closest to the U.S. Embassy in Rome).  Several hundred participants plan to “greet” the G-8 leaders with loud music organized by the COBAS (Confederazione dei Comitati di Base) and other autonomous unions.  The Italian authorities note that, while there is potential for problems during this demonstration, they are not anticipating violence.

News media are reporting that some unspecified groups will attempt random “communicative actions” in the center of Rome on the 8 th and 9 th of July.

On July 10, organizers are planning a demonstration in L’Aquila, after closure of the G-8 working schedule.

Since some of these activities are in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy in Rome, American citizens should avoid these areas, if possible.  For U.S. Embassy hours, please see http://italy.usembassy.gov/acs/addresses.asp .  If you observe public disorder or violence, please notify local police authorities immediately.

Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Mission’s website at http://italy.usembassy.gov, and the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website, www.travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found.  The U.S. Embassy also encourages American citizens to review to "A Safe Trip Abroad," found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html , which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad.  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. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

All Americans in Italy are urged to register either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov or by phone or in person directly with the U.S. Embassy in Rome or the Consulates General in Milan, Florence, and Naples. Registering gives U.S. citizens access to updated information on travel and security within Italy and makes it easier for the Embassy to contact citizens in case of emergency.

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

U.S. Consulates General in Italy are located in:

NAPLES: Piazza della Repubblica; telephone number: 081-583-8111
MILAN: Via Principe Amedeo, 2/10; telephone number: 02-290-351
FLORENCE : Lungarno A. Vespucci, 38; telephone number: 055-266-951

U.S. Consular Agencies in Italy are located in:

GENOA: Via Dante, 2
PALERMO: Via Vaccarini, 1
VENICE: Marco Polo Airport, General Aviation Terminal, Viale Galileo Galilei, 30