American Citizens Services Newsletter

Warden Message (2/24/2006)

Public Gathering By Local Muslim Community

The American Consulate General advises American citizens in Hong Kong to exercise caution with respect to public gatherings occurring in response to the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in Europe.

Hong Kong Police have granted approval for a gathering this Sunday, February 26, at Chater Gardens, located next to the Legislative Council. This gathering is being called a "public meeting" and not a protest by the local ethnic Chinese Muslim group sponsoring it - The Incorporate Trustee of Islamic Community Funds in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Police report that up to 2,000 people are expected to join this public meeting and the meeting is expected to be peaceful.

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.

Americans living or traveling in Hong Kong are encouraged to register and update their contact information at the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong. Registration may be done on line, and can be done in advance of travel. Information on registering can be found at the Department of State's Consular Affairs website: https://travelregistration.state.gov.

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, and Travel Warnings 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)."

Subscribing/Unsubscribing

Anyone who wishes to sign up to receive these messages and the travel advice we provide can do so simply by going to our web page at http://www.hongkongacs.com and submit their email address in the fill-in box towards the bottom of the page. You can also unsubscribe through the web page. New subscribers will be sent the last few messages we have sent out in a digest form to help them catch up. Back issues are on the web at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_newsletter.html.

 

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This message is published by the American Citizens Services Unit, U.S. Consulate General, Hong Kong, tel: 2841-2211, 2841-2323, 2841-2225; fax: 2845-4845; e-mail: acshk@state.gov; website: http://www.hongkongacs.com; All services by online appointment only.

 

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Last modified: February 24, 2006