Today the American Consulate, on the advice of Sydney law enforcement authorities, have issued an emergency warning concerning the possibility of further anti-American demonstrations to take place in Sydney and Melbourne this Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23. In an email titled Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens, The Department of State expressed grave concerns over the threat of violence against U.S. citizens after last week’s Sydney demonstrations turned violent. Accordingly, the American Consulate has advised US passport holders to avoid Hyde Park and its perimeter area, as well as Martin Place this weekend.
Similarly, Melbourne based U.S. citizens are urged to avoid the CBD this weekend – the most likely demonstration area for the district. The Department of State also offered the following advice for U.S. citizens who planned to frequent the area anyway: avoid any political demonstrations that may develop, continue to monitor the Australian media and Consulate messages to obtain the latest information, maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of your surroundings, take appropriate steps to increase your security awareness and avoid attracting attention to yourself as a U.S. citizen.
In other words try not to look like one of these guys:
Amid cries of the failing of multi-culturalism and the wider Australian social issues at play the US has managed to find a way to make it all about them.
Read a portion of the “emergency message” below…
Words by Jacqui Lennon
Photo by Greg Wood for AFP
