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US warns citizens to keep clear of Guantanamo protests
Written by: Andrew Stroehlein
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I received a fairly disturbing message from the US Embassy in Brussels yesterday, a high-importance mass email warning all American citizens in Belgium not to go near a small Amnesty International demonstration that is happening this afternoon. It's so unbelievable, I produce it here:
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BrusselsWarden@state.gov [mailto:BrusselsWarden@state.gov]
Sent: 10 January 2008 11:43
To: BrusselsWarden@state.gov
Subject: Warden Message
Importance: High
Warden Message
20080110 Warden Message - Demonstrations - January 10, 2008
Spontaneous demonstrations take place in Belgium from time to time in response to world events or local developments. We remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possible escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Upcoming demonstration information follows:
According to Belgian police, a demonstration is scheduled to take place on Friday, January 11, 2008 on rue Guimard, across from the U.S. Embassy, between 2:30 - 4:00 PM. The demonstration is being organized by Amnesty International to protest against Guantanamo prison. The demonstration will encompass approximately 100 protestors. American citizens are urged to avoid the area if possible and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. This Warden Message expires on January 11, 2008.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution and Consular Information Sheet for Belgium 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. and Canada 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)
The U.S. Embassy in Brussels can be reached at +32-2-508.21.11; the after hours emergency number is the same; the fax number is+32-2-513.04.09. The Embassy's web site, which includes consular information and the most recent messages to the American community in Belgium, is found at http://brussels.usembassy.gov.
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It's hard to identify the most absurd part of this. Is it the warning of a "spontaneous demonstration" that is planned ahead of time? Is it the idea that demonstrations occur spontaneously in Belgium, where nothing happens without dozens of meetings and extensive negotiations? Or is it that they are frightened of a small Amnesty International protest? Maybe it's the "Importance: High" tag on the email that takes the cake?
My Belgian friends and colleagues are rightly offended. Belgium is one of the most peaceful countries in the world, ranked 11th in the Global Peace Index (compared to the US's 96th place ranking). There hasn't been a seriously violent demonstration here since probably the 1960s. It can be a bit dangerous crossing the streets in Brussels sometimes, but an Amnesty protest? Please. One friend asked if US Embassy staff in Brussels are now receiving danger pay for this difficult posting.
It is just incredible the US Embassy put this out at all. They are telling their own citizens to keep clear of a protest against Guantanamo, which is probably the most vivid symbol of the appalling disregard for human rights the US Administration has had since 9/11. And now we're even told not to freely assemble to protest our government's Constitution shredding? Though only half-American, I am completely embarrassed by this.
11 January marks the sixth anniversary of the first detainees being sent to Guantanamo, and demonstrations are happening outside other US embassies in other countries. If Belgium is anything to go by, all US embassies are urging US citizens not to join these protests.
Of course, consumed by primary fever, the US media are probably going to miss the Guantanamo anniversary altogether. Too bad. It's a good opportunity to examine how conflict has been used to justify the serious erosion of human rights in recent years. The depressing thing is, developments have gone so far that the government can now put out a disturbingly absurd statement, and no one takes any notice because the disturbingly absurd has become commonplace.
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12 responses to “US warns citizens to keep clear of Guantanamo protests”
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Journalist Andrew Stroehlein is Director of Media and Information for the International Crisis Group, the conflict resolution organisation, where he promotes responsible coverage of current and potential conflicts and helps draw attention to forgotten wars around the world.
11 Jan 2008 14:16:12 GMT
I recieved the same email, and I plan to forward it to the leaders of Amnesty International (Belgian chapter) so that they can see how their protest is being undermined. I ould have gladly taken part in the protest if I had been made aware before yesterday (no I am obliged to go to a meeting for work this afternoon).
Thank you for your comments... they were exactly what I was already thinking. Nice to see them written down.21 Jan 2008 10:46:25 GMT
Actually the State Dept. warns all citizens to stay away from anti-American demonstrations in Germany as well. Believe it or not you liberals can get really worked up at these peaceful demonstrations and they assume you won't be able to tell everyone to leave you alone in time to avoid a beating.
It's ok, you don't have to worry about Zionist conspiracies or Big Bad Bush undermining your freedom of speech. Take off your aluminum foil hat and get back to the business of being a boring, seditious whiner.21 Jan 2008 11:49:54 GMT
My reaction to this is that possibly the embassy fears that Americans would be in danger if they were to be in the vicinity of anti-American demonstrations. If so, it emphasizes the unpopularity that dogged Americans abroad in the last few years.
21 Jan 2008 15:56:18 GMT
Yes, I can see how the presence of worshipers of Bush Almighty -- like "Informed American" above -- at a lawful protest such as this could whip even peace-loving demonstrators into an anti-American frenzy.
It's sad, however, that this fool thinks he has a clue about America and what most of us Americans believe in when he can label as "seditious" legitimate dissent. His hypocrisy is such that he can tell us not to worry about one of our most cherished freedoms and in the very next sentence proclaim that exercise of that freedom is criminal. I'm an American and I certainly don't hate America. But I can understand why so many do hate my country when sneering, condescending voices like the commenter above have seized control of our government, our media, and our message, perverting it and polluting it with their fear and arrogance. They presume to speak for all of us, but they only speak for their own deluded selves.22 Jan 2008 15:23:38 GMT
As evano says, I certainly don't hate america I just hate our government. If I were in Belgium at this time I would participate in the demonstration. informed american writing on this site just clarifies for me that he/she is voting against their own interests.
22 Jan 2008 15:24:14 GMT
Whew. Hopefully, this has prevented peace mongers from protesting torture. Anything can happen when abiding by international law is proposed. I wouldn't want to be around when those dangerous human rights fanatics get together. Some pot smoke might drift through and send the crowd into a love-filled frenzy. They might even start singing that anthem for international terror, 'Give Peace a Chance'.
22 Jan 2008 15:25:09 GMT
well said, evano. you're absolutely right about misinformed american. it's ok though, his kind are on their way out (finally) and the primaries will usher in a new america soon enough.
22 Jan 2008 15:25:18 GMT
Informed American(no joke!)wrote:
There are no anti-American but anti-Bush demonstrations in Germany and elsewhere because the moron in the Oval Office had destroyed America's reputation completely. You simple minded right wingers equate anti-Bush policy demonstrations with anti-American as if Bush still represents America although most Americans despise this failure.22 Jan 2008 15:25:46 GMT
I joined the army in 1978 and still work for DoD overseas. This is normal behavior; they've been issuing precisely this kind of warning for decades. They seem to just want folks to know where demonstrations will be held (protests can lead to arrests and Americans could be unwittingly caught up in arrests if they're present at the scene) but we've never been told we couldn't go to the protests, even back when we were enlisted during the Reagan years. I am no fan of Bush but this is just a normal bureaucratic behavior of the USG overseas.
22 Jan 2008 15:28:43 GMT
22 Jan 2008 15:29:11 GMT
Evano
Right on! 'Informed American' is anything but; I wonder if he/she comprehends that it's Guantanomo that's anti-American, not the writer of this article? Probably not. You need to be a first class Limbaugh/Bush kool-aid drinker to work that many tired, right-wing cliches - ie; anti-American, 'liberuls', aluminum foil hat, boring, seditious whiner Zionism (!?) - into 2 short paragraphs.23 Jan 2008 09:55:15 GMT
Army Veteran, yeah, but in effing Belgium?!
Come on, you can't be serious about this.