Security Memo Issued by the U.S Consulate in Montreal

[Obi Kanobi]

27 APRIL 2012: SECURITY MESSAGE FOR U.S. CITIZENS – STUDENT PROTESTS

The U.S. Consulate in Montreal alerts U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Quebec Province of the potential for continuing student protests, some of which have resulted in violence and arrests. The U.S. Consulate urges U.S. citizens to avoid the areas of demonstrations, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any protests.

For several weeks, there have been large demonstrations in Montreal and outlying cities protesting university tuition increases. While the majority of the protests have been peaceful, some participants have incited violence, by throwing rocks and engaging in other acts of vandalism. These demonstrations have varied in size, with some attracting thousands of protestors to downtown Montreal. Businesses remain open although vehicular traffic patterns and public transportation may be temporarily disrupted due to protest actions. Most of the protests have been well-publicized and announced several days in advance, while others have occurred with no prior notice. While the demonstrations are intended to be peaceful, some can turn into confrontational or potentially violent situations.

There are no indications that foreigners or U.S. citizens are being threatened or targeted. Nonetheless, U.S. citizens are advised to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security. The local police service, Service de Police de la Ville de Montreal (SPVM), provides frequent security updates in French and English via Twitter (@SPVM).

The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid demonstrations, as bystanders can quickly be caught up in unforeseen violence and in some cases detained by the local police. If you believe your security is compromised, call the police at 911.

You can stay in touch and get Consulate updates by checking the U.S. Consulate General Montreal website. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, by calling the 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).

U.S. citizens are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the embassy/consulates to contact them in case of emergency. Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.

The U.S. Consulate in Montreal is located at 1155 rue St. Alexandre, Montreal. U.S. citizens may contact the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy via e-mail at [email protected], or by calling 514-981-5059 24 hours per day.

http://montreal.usconsulate.gov/new...y-message-for-u.s.-citizens--student-protests

 

[Maria Divina]

Just some words for our American friends who are visiting Québec and willing to meet ladies, after read this memo of the Consulate of the USA.

That's possible to make it to Montreal without any problem.

The principal places where the students and others who have held their manifestations are not covering all the places who are good to visit for tourists.

Just take your informations, if I may suggest.

There is a lots of ladies who are able to meet you around Montréal, if you don't want to enter in Montreal.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Maria, this is a routine memo that US Consulates issue all the time wherever anything out of the ordinary might be going on. It is the lowest level alert issued by the State Dept.

 

[EagerBeaver]

The US State Department has NOT issued a travel advisory warning to Canada at this time. It has issued travel warning for Mauritania and Saudi Arabia in case you guys are going there:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

 

[Maria Divina]

Rumples:

Oh, I just did not know, I am not American, and that's the first time I am seeing this kind of warning.

Thank you to have me let know. xx

I don't feel it was necessary to alert at this level all the American tourists about it: of course, they need to know, but it is really not that terrible.
The thing is to not go in a manifestation during evening time, and everything really should be fine, without any problem

One more thing learned today

Eager: Oh! Is a US State Department travel advisory warning different from a security memo from the Consulate?

 

[gugu]

The principal places where the students and others who have held their manifestations are not covering all the places who are good to visit for tourists.

Just take your informations, if I may suggest.

Are you suggesting they should avoid places where students and citizens hold demonstrations?

To my fellow american citizens, I would rather suggest that you get right in the crowd. It's fun, a great party every time, not dangerous in any way and a superb demonstration of solidarity building at the base among citizens. Please join the party, have fun and, of course, talk to the people. A simple "Bonjour" will help them forget you don't speak french. Don't forget to bring your pots.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Eager: Oh! Is a US State Department travel advisory warning different from a security memo from the Consulate?

The travel warning is issued when the US State Department believes there is personal risk in travelling and it should be avoided if it is not essential.

I one time travelled to Jamaica when both the US State Department and the CDC (Center for Disease Control) warned against it because of an outbreak of Dengue Fever. I had already booked my trip months earlier and my travelling companion and I decided to ignore the warning and go through with the trip. Neither one of us caught Dengue Fever but on the last full day of my trip my ankle swelled up like a grapefruit and I thought it was Dengue Fever, until a local nurse looked at it and told me it was a spider bite. It must have bitten me during the night while I was sleeping. The nurse gave me a salve which brought the swelling down in a couple of hours.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

I one time travelled to Jamaica when both the US State Department and the CDC (Center for Disease Control) warned against it because of an outbreak of Dengue Fever.

You sure it wasn't bad ganja?

 

[Mod 8]

Thank you for your post, Tony. You can return where you came from now.

Mod 8