The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul informs U.S. citizens that a rally is scheduled to take place from 4pm to 7pm on Sunday, September 20, in Yenikapi Park in Istanbul to protest ongoing violence in Turkey’s southeastern provinces. It is anticipated that both President Erdogan and Prime Minister Davutoglu will lead the rally and that attendance could exceed one million people. Turkish National Police may close many of the streets to the east and west of Yanikapi. In addition, given Yenikapi Park’s proximity to the ferry terminal, the Consulate expects that ferry services will be disrupted.
U.S. citizens are reminded to exercise caution in the vicinity of large gatherings, as even peaceful gatherings can turn confrontational. Please maintain a high level of vigilance, take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security, and follow instructions of local authorities.
Please monitor the news for further developments and maintain security awareness. Please have a safe and peaceful Bayram.
For further detailed information regarding Turkey and travel:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Turkey’s Country Specific Information.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, located at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara, at +90-312-455-5555, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +90-312-455-5555 or +90-212-335-9000 (U.S. Consulate General Istanbul).
- Contact the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, located at 2 Uçsehitler Sokagi, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer, at +90-212-335-9000.
- Contact the U.S. Consulate in Adana, located at 212 Girne Bulvari, Guzelevler Mahallesi, Yuregir, Adana at +90-322-455-4100.
- Contact the Consular Agency in Izmir at Izmir@state.gov.
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
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