US Embassy in Tirana, Demonstration notices, attention for US citizens

Albanian Socialist Party's Public Rally

The Albanian Socialist Party (SP) has announced plans to hold a public rally on Saturday, January 21, 2012.  The Embassy is unaware of a specific time for this event.  Current information indicates that the rally will take place along Tirana’s main “Deshmoret e Kombit” boulevard outside the Prime Minister’s office and at other locations throughout the city.  The SP has also called for rallies in other cities around Albania to take place throughout the day.  The Embassy does not have information on the specific location, staging areas or potential size of the proposed rallies.  Demonstrations can affect all major incoming arteries to the city in which they occur.


Albanian Red & Black Alliance’s Public Rally

The Albanian Red & Black Alliance (RBA) has called for a large public rally in the city of Kruja to commemorate the Albanian National Hero “Skanderbeg” on Tuesday, January 17, 2012.  We have been informed that gatherings will begin in Tirana, Elbasan, Durres, Shkoder, Lac and Lezhe during the morning of the 17th prior to groups traveling to Kruja.  The Embassy does not have information on the specific location, staging areas or potential size of the proposed rally or preliminary gatherings.  Demonstrations can affect all major incoming arteries to the city in which they occur.

Although large, peaceful demonstrations in Tirana have occurred frequently in the recent past, a demonstration on January 21, 2011 was violent and resulted in the death of four persons and injuries to many others, including to Albanian State Police.  Subsequent rallies in Tirana have been peaceful and have drawn up to 10,000 people, according to reliable estimates.  We remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn violent and unpredictable.  You should avoid them if at all possible.  Demonstrations in one city have the potential to lead to additional public rallies or demonstrations in other locations around the country.  Be alert and aware of your surroundings and pay attention to local news media reports regarding all possible public rallies or demonstrations.  U.S. citizens are urged to exercise strong caution if within the vicinity of any demonstration.

U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy's website and the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review "A Safe Trip Abroad," 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 a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444 from elsewhere.

We encourage U.S. citizens living or traveling in Albania to enroll with the U.S. Embassy in Tirana through the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) website to obtain updated information on travel and security within Albania. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the U.S. Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy in Tirana is located at Rr. Elbasanit, No. 103, Tel: +355-(0)4-224-7285; Fax: +355-(0)4-237-4957; E-mail:ACSTirana@state.gov.