United States Embassy Warsaw
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Demonstrations in Warsaw and Kraków on November 11, 2017
November 9, 2017
The U.S. Embassy in Warsaw informs U.S. citizens that multiple scheduled demonstrations and events will take place in Warsaw and Kraków on Saturday, November 11, 2017, in celebration of Polish Independence Day.
The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can be unpredictable and may escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid the areas of these demonstrations and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any demonstrations or protests. Be alert and aware of your surroundings and monitor the local news media for the most current information.
In Warsaw:
- Independence Day celebrations
Who: Polish Government; over 10,000 participants
When: November 11, 2017; start at 12:00 noon
Where: Piłsudski Sq. in front of Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: Changing of the Guards, Wreath laying, Military Parade. Historical Military Parade will follow: Królewska, Krakowskie Przedmieście, Nowy Świat, de Gaulle Roundabout, Aleje Jerozolimskie to Military Museum
- 29th Independence Run
Who: Stołeczne Centrum Sportu (Metropolitan Sport Center): up to 18,000 participants
When: November 11, 2017; between 10 AM and 3 PM
Where: Rondo Zgrupowania AK Radosław, Aleja Jana Pawła II, Aleje Niepodległości to Rakowiecka Street, where participants will make a U turn and run back.
- Rallies and demonstration march
Who: Koalicja antyfaszystowska “Zmowa Powszechna”: Antyfaszystowska Warszawa, Autonomiczna Przestrzeń Edukacyjna, Codziennik Feministyczny, Feministyczna Brygada Rewolucyjna FeBRa, Kolektyw Przychodnia, Kolektyw Syrena, Obywatele RP, Warszawski Strajk Kobiet, Opinia Bieżąca, Porozumienie Kobiet 8 Marca, Pracownicza Demokracja, Queer Solidarnie, Stowarzyszenie Wszyscy Razem, Warszawska Komisja Środowiskowa OZZ Inicjatywa Pracownicza, Warszawski Chór Rewolucyjny, Żydowski Blok Antyfaszystowski – up to 10,000 participants
When: November 11, 2017; between 2 and 6 PM.
Where: Plac Politechiki, Nowogrodzka, Plac Zbawiciela, Mokotowska, Plac Trzech Krzyży, Książęca, Plac Trzech Krzyży, Wiejska to Sejm.
- Independence Day celebrations: Solemn Mass, rally, demonstration march, cultural and historical events.
Who: Stowarzyszenie Marsz Niepodległości (Independence Day Association); up to 50,000 participants
When: November 11, 2017; between noon and 8 PM.
Where: St. Barbara Church (Nowogrodzka 51) at 12:00 for mass, then a walk to the Roman Dmowski Roundabout, then via Aleje Jerozolimskie and Wybrzeże Szczecińskie to the National Stadium.
- Rallies and demonstration march
Who: KOD, Obywatele RP and other groups; up to 500 participants.
When: November 11, 2017; between noon and 8 PM and between 2 and 4 PM.
Where: 1. Plac Zamkowy
2. Plac Zamkowy, Krakowskie Przedmieście, Królewska, Plac Małachowskiego, Traugutta, Krakowskie Przedmieście to Mikołaj Kopernik Monument.
- Vigil in front of Roman Dmowski Monument
Who: Młodzież Wszechpolska (All_Poland youth), Obóz Narodowo-Radykalny (National-Radical Block), Stowarzyszenie Endecja (National Democracy Association); up to 50 participants
When: 9, 10, 11, 12 of November, 2017; between 8 AM and 8 PM
Where: Plac na Rozdrożu, in front of Roman Dmowski Monument
- Religious event/march
Who: Catholic Church followers, up to 200 participants.
When: November 11, 2017; between 10:45 AM and 2 PM
Where: St. Alexander Church located on Plac Trzech Krzyży, participants after a mass will walk along Aleje Ujazdowskie, Matejki, Maszyńskiego, Górnoślaska, Wiejska to Sejm.
In Kraków:
In Krakow, the Wojewoda has extended an open invitation to all who wish to participate in the Polish Independence Day celebration. Resulting, an undetermined number of visitors may attend numerous events throughout the city. Below are city approved demonstrations for Krakow.
Who: Association Trzecia Droga; up to 10,000 participants
When: November 11, 2017; between 3 PM and 7 PM
Where: From Rynek Główny walk Grodzka, Franciszkańska, Straszewskiego, Podwale, Dunajewskiego, Basztowa streets to pl. Matejki.
No demonstrations have been approved on Stolarska Street.
Please anticipate heavy vehicle delays, as many roadways in and around the city center will be closed to vehicle traffic intermittently to support Polish Independence Day celebrations.
For more information:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts, and read the Country Specific Information for Poland.
- Enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the latest security updates, and so the Embassy can locate you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, you can enroll in STEP directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
- The Embassy in Warsaw is located at Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31, telephone +48-22-504-2000. Appointments for U.S. citizen services can be made Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., excluding Polish and American holidays. In the event of emergency after hours, you may contact the Embassy duty officer at +48-22-504-2000.
- The Consulate General in Krakow is located at Ulica Stolarska 9, 31-043, telephone +48-12- 424-5100. Appointments for U.S. citizen services can be made Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Consulate is closed on Polish and American holidays. In the event of emergency after hours, you may contact the Consulate duty officer at +48-601-483-348.
- Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
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