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Weekend Demonstrations in Downtown Sofia
The U.S. Embassy would like inform Americans in Bulgaria of two protests which will take place in downtown Sofia on Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27.
June 26
The Trade Union Podkrepa (Support) will organize a protest march on Friday, June 26, 2009, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The staging point for the march will be the National Stadium Vasil Levski. From there at 11:30 a.m. they will march down Gurko Street, Vasil Levski Blvd., Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. (by the National Assembly), Georgi Rakovski St. and Oborishte St. Ending point of the protest march will be the Alexander Nevski Sq. where the participants will hold a protest rally.
Organizers expect that up to 15,000 protestors will participate. The local police will cover the protest with up to 1,000 – 1,500 officers. The streets along the route protest march as well as Alexander Nevski Sq. will be closed for traffic.
June 27
Representatives of the Bulgarian Gay Organization have obtained permits for a march and rally on Saturday, June 27, starting at 3:00 pm. The event commemorates the 40th anniversary of The International Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Movement and the 1969 Stonewall Inn riots in New York.
Violence associated with last year’s events resulted in the arrest of 60 persons and injuries to others. At this time, the number of participants is unknown.
The planned route is as follows:
• Participants will gather at 15:00 hours in the park area of the National Palace of Culture (NDK).
• From there, they will march along the following streets: Fritiyof Nansen – Vassil Levski Blvd. – Graf Ignatiev Street – Luyben Karavelov Street.
• The final point of the event is The Red House Centre for Culture and Debate at 15 Luyben Karavelov Street.
The official permit for the parade is until 6:00 pm but participants are expected to stay longer. All adjacent streets will be closed to traffic while the participants march through the area.
As with any large gatherings, there is always a potential for violence. The Embassy advises American citizens to avoid demonstration/rally areas. If you have planned activities in these areas, please make arrangements to reschedule your event or attendance.
The U.S. Embassy urges American citizens to take steps to ensure their personal security while traveling overseas. Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website, www.travel.state.gov, 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 to "A Safe Trip Abroad," found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html, 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 outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. Americans living or traveling in Bulgaria are also encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/, to obtain updated information on travel and security within Bulgaria.
The U.S. Embassy is located at 16, Kozyak St., Sofia 1407; tel.: (+359 2) 937-5100; fax (+359 2) 937-5209; website: http://bulgaria.usembassy.gov/.
After hours emergency number (+359 – 2 – 937- 5200).
