Warden Information

Embassy Ankara Warden Message 05

Ankara, Turkey April 29, 2005

Warden Message -- May Day

On Sunday, May 1, 2005, Turkish leftist groups and labor unions will hold annual “May Day” demonstrations in Adana, Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, and other major cities in Turkey. 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 demonstration areas if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

In Istanbul, police report that the only officially sanctioned demonstrations will be held in the Kadikoy District on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. There is a possibility that these demonstrations might be relocated or that unauthorized demonstrations could develop in other central areas of Istanbul to include Sisli, Beyoglu, and Taksim. In the past, such May Day demonstrations have led to violent clashes between the police and demonstrators. Historically, demonstrators have numbered in the thousands and have been very disruptive to traffic patterns, especially on the European side.

In Ankara, the demonstration will take place in Tandogan Square (near Anitkabir’s Est Gate.) between 11:00 - 16:00 hours. Up to 5000 protestors are expected to assemble.

In Adana,the local Workers Party (May Day) March is scheduled to take beginning from the Mimar Sinan Open Air Theater (just past the Galleria Mall) down Mustafa Kemal Pasa Bulvari to the Adana train station between 10:00 and 16:00 hours.

In Izmir, labor unions, political parties, and leftist groups will hold annual “May Day” demonstrations along Atatürk and Cumhuriyet Boulevards (First and Second Kordon respectively). The center for most activity will be on the First Kordon, specifically Gündoğudu Meydanı (the large square across from Eko Pub), Atatürk Square, and the ports at Konak and Alsancak. People are expected to gather around 10:00, and official demonstrations will begin at 12:00. Activities will run all afternoon until approximately 18:00.

There will be other demonstrations in major cities throughout Turkey. In addition, recent protests associated with the Turkish flag-burning incident in Mersin led to violent confrontations in both Mersin and Trabzon. Again, we urge American citizens to use extreme caution and to leave the area when encountering a demonstration.

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 Cautions, 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).

Contact information for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey:

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara is at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, tel: (90)(312) 455-5555, fax (90)(312) 468-6131. The Internet address is http://ankara.usembassy.gov 

The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul is located at Kaplicalar Mevkii Sokak No. 2, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer, tel: (90) (212) 335-9000, fax (90) (212) 335-9102. Istanbul-specific information can also be accessed via the Consulate's website http://istanbul.usconsulate.gov

The U.S. Consulate in Adana is located at Girne Bulvari No. 212, Guzelevler Mahallesi, Yuregir, Adana, Turkey. tel: (90)(322) 346-6262, fax (90)(322) 346-7916, web site at http://adana.usconsulate.gov 

The U.S. Consulate in Izmir can be reached at (90)(232) 464-8755.